Is no one Eddie in?

[PhoneymcRingRing]

The way speculation is going it really feels like Howe?s going this summer, however he turned us around with 5 or 6 signings. Why can?t he do that again? He should be backed to rebuild a new team imo

[MidsMagpie]

Out for me now sadly things arnt going to get better only worse he needs to leave head held high with a decent pay off and all our thanks for the last few years but sadly its time to move on to the next stage.

[Cannylad]

I wonder what Mad Dog's thoughts are about the current situation, he's been the little bird on Eddie's shoulder for a long time now, maybe he thinks it's time for pastures new too ?

[Jammy89]

I think their is a lot of fans who are Eddie in but the press would much prefer the story of us tearing down the man who won us silverware.

So all the stories will lead with Eddie going.

I think he may go but equally I think he may well get longer as PIF have acknowledged their own failings in last summer.

[Zippity]

I wonder what Mad Dog's thoughts are about the current situation, he's been the little bird on Eddie's shoulder for a long time now, maybe he thinks it's time for pastures new too ?

Well, funnily enough, I was talking to someone who shares the same lass who does his hair. Apparently the hairdresser asked him if he wanted to renew the annual payment he makes (allowing him to get cuts whenever he wants) and he told her no, we don't know where we'll be next season.

Could be bollocks, might be true.

As for Eddie? I love the guy and would rather it was he who fixed the mess we're in. My worry is that we've been pretty poor all this season and since at least just after the Cup final. He's had time to fix it but doesn't seem to be able to. I know there are mitigating circumstances in the shape of the rat and new players not performing...but the atrocious passing, the picking of favourites, the lack of a plan B, the odd substitutions, the predictable tactics, the way our game-management and intensity have just totally disappeared? A lot of that is on him.

I fear we may have passed peak Eddie but I really hope I'm wrong. Hardly a ringing endorsement, I know, but it's where I am.

[toonviking]

I'm not sure! I think he desserves another go next season...then again, I'm tired of losing.

Can we really progress with the hopless corrupt rules? Dont know. I'm losing interest im PL-football. Its getting worse and worse.

[Nufcian]

I wonder what Mad Dog's thoughts are about the current situation, he's been the little bird on Eddie's shoulder for a long time now, maybe he thinks it's time for pastures new too ?

He recently bought a bar near us in Ponteland (YOLO - that was the old name), and now has 2 Say When bars… one in Gosforth and one here.

Not really the signs of a man planning to move away, but equally doesn’t mean he has to stay in the area.

[Nufcian]

I still like Howe as a personality, but I’ve been critical of him for a while and haven’t seen any real improvement in the areas I’ve criticised… so I’m nit going to get all soppy about him now.

I can see him staying, us not having Europe next season and him doing a lot better without the extra games… but what happens when we get Europe again? Do we see the same old formation, 1 plan, favourite players, lack of in-game management, predictable and like for like subs around 66 minutes, slow build up play, players dropping back late in games, lack of creativity… it’s not a pretty list.

I think we could see Tonali, Gordon and possibly Tino move on in the summer… which would give a big war chest to revamp the team… I would love Howe to succeed but not sure I would trust him, and his lack of flexibility in approach/in game, to be the manager that has an input into that revamp.

[Curian]

For me he needs to change his thinking. I know he is a clever man but his rigidity lets him down that coupled with playing favourites and playing some of the guys out of position is just not cutting for me. If he is willing to learn from this season and adapt, then yes but if he wants to stay as is no.

[Curian]

Thinking about what you asked and my original reply I have thought about it and did some looking into what is and is not the criteria for managers these days: So he goes: To be a football manager and stay popular seems to defy the law of logics in modern football. All these things can disrupt that position:
? Results
? Message fatigue: Training/Tactics/Motivation
? Dressing room fractures
? Boardroom and ownership dynamics
? Tactical stagnation: Rigidity/opponents sussing you out/fail to adapt to new players
? Media narrative turning
? Fan pressure and atmosphere
? The cycle theory: Build/Peak/Maintain/Decline

We have gone through that whole lot of scenarios this season. Where do you think Eddie is in this pecking order of obstacles? How many does he tick; how many has he fallen foul of?

ps I hate the media vultures circling!!

[HughieG]

I'm relatively pro-Howe, but you have all described the challenges we're facing so well in the above; and a lot of that is down to Eddie's management style.

IF we can get the right long-term replacement in so he gets a full pre-season and so on, I wouldn't mind seeing the change happening, just because I'm starting to think that Eddie may have his best NUFC years behind him.

[Nufcian]

The one thing that I get pi$$ed at, is the “Remember how bad the football was before Howe” as if it is only Howe that has brought success.

The obvious answer is “Remember how bad the investment was before Howe”

In terms of spending, we are 4th highest in the Prem since Eddie took over… I think we should f**king well expect better football.

I like Howe in terms of his ability to deal with the press (most of the time anyway) and his steady approach wether we win or lose, all good stuff, and he comes across as genuinely a very nice guy, but it’s a results based game… and like a fair few others have questioned, I do wonder if we have seen the best of Howe.

I’m sure I read that Bournemouth saw the similar attitude to sticking to his tactics and his favourite players when they got relegated… not saying that I think he’ll take us down, but I thought 14th was the lowest we could finish until Leeds beat Man Utd… and I’m not sure 14th is the lowest possible now.

14th!?!? I think it’s fair to say that no one expected us to be in this position now, injuries haven’t been as bad as that first season in the CL with him where we finished 8th, and we might, and hopefully/probably will, finish a bit higher… but after the Palace display I’m not confident we’ll get much in the remaining games…Bournemouth, Arsenal (a), Brighton, Forest(a), West Ham and Fulham (a)