Squad rotation

I dont know if we get our priorities right.
I get that each CL game is printing money, but my opinion is that it should be PL, CL, cups.

If the system (I mean training process, squad selection etc) only works when we have no Europe, then may be it is a bad system?

Our top players play almost every game - whether it is just 45 mins or full match. I mean it could be the same story next two seasons - no Europe we doing good, then struggle the season after playing best team each 3 days.

Thanks god the team won League Cup, so maybe just tick the box and play back up there from now on? At least first half of the season. Hell, I’d even send Tindall to Baku on his own.
Our squad depth just isnt there to play that many games.

Agree on this.

I think Eddie's biggest flaw is his loyalty - which is ****ing bizzare to say.

He needs to rest players and play others because otherwise when he needs them their not fit.

His blind loyalty to some has hampered the squad at times, I'm sure of it.

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Originally Posted by Jammy89

Agree on this.

I think Eddie's biggest flaw is his loyalty - which is ****ing bizzare to say.

He needs to rest players and play others because otherwise when he needs them their not fit.

His blind loyalty to some has hampered the squad at times, I'm sure of it.

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The replacement of the old guard is imperative this summer.

Loyalty is an admirable quality. However, the players he needs to be loyal to have to be of better quality to the current crew.

it ties into the Recruitment thread started.

My worry is that one of his biggest strengths is also one of his greatest weaknesses.

Eddie obviously sees the bigger picture in terms of where we need to improve but, because of his relationship with the players, I think he feels that he can make those improvements with those same players with, maybe, a couple of additions.

A fit and firing Burn, Schar and Trippier would get into most teams and probably every squad but there's a key word missing there, and that word id younger.

They are the same people but no longer the same player-Eddie seems to not take account of the second part.

See , also, Willock, Pope and Murphy. The gap between these players and their peak years is only going to get bigger but Eddie's bond with them as people is only going to get stronger.

Sorry for the amateur sociology but it's pertinent in this case, much more so than some of our previous managers.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

Sorry for the amateur sociology but it's pertinent in this case, much more so than some of our previous managers.

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Valid points mate. The mental part of the game is very important to cohesion and success overall.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

My worry is that one of his biggest strengths is also one of his greatest weaknesses.

Eddie obviously sees the bigger picture in terms of where we need to improve but, because of his relationship with the players, I think he feels that he can make those improvements with those same players with, maybe, a couple of additions.

A fit and firing Burn, Schar and Trippier would get into most teams and probably every squad but there's a key word missing there, and that word id younger.

They are the same people but no longer the same player-Eddie seems to not take account of the second part.

See , also, Willock, Pope and Murphy. The gap between these players and their peak years is only going to get bigger but Eddie's bond with them as people is only going to get stronger.

Sorry for the amateur sociology but it's pertinent in this case, much more so than some of our previous managers.

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Agreed, but I hope (operative word) that is more out of necessity than choice.

Willock had a year left after this season, Fulham were showing interest… if they come back in and Howe keeps him then that’s a big question mark.

Pope is another that needs to be replaced and will show if Eddie is prepared to put the team and results ahead of any individual player, which the best managers have to do.

Murphy… I think he’s still doing a job, and I’d pick him over Elanga… especially IF we had a proper 9 on the pitch.

Wissa is sat there with Gordon playing as a false 9, which grinds my gears. Yes he missed pre-season and came back from injury… but in the Prem Gordon has 1 goal from open play in 21 games (and 2 penalties)… I’d rather play Guivarch up front 🤦*♂️

We do have injuries, but we do have the players available to do a lot better than we have shown… this isn’t 2 years ago… and saying that, this calls into question if that was a fluke? Is Eddie capable of managing the team with so little turnaround? Villa are doing it his season, so can’t even say it is only bought by traditional Big 5 (not including Spurs)

There is a big difference between sentimental and sentimentality!

Problem is Howe never drops his favourites other players get rotated but not them it was similar with Benitez his favourites always started whether in form or not and quality players benched.

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Originally Posted by MidsMagpie

Problem is Howe never drops his favourites other players get rotated but not them it was similar with Benitez his favourites always started whether in form or not and quality players benched.

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yeah it's trust isn't it.

Howe puts trust in the players that have delivered for him in the past. The problem is that more matches have gone against us due to individual mistakes than in previous season, combined with this season's Premier League being the most physical / tactical / defensive in it's history plus the long and much debated Summer transfer fiasco have put us in this difficult position.

The rough with the smooth.

As a fan base we have to accept the reality of the situation. We're 200-300m a year in revenue behind the cartel clubs, with only the 8th largest wage budget. Finishing 8th is our expected finish. I still recon we can finish 7th and no matter what people like Bryan the True Geordie, the reality is all down to things above Eddie in the boardroom and the inability to spend to compete with the Cartel clubs.

That being said. Could be worse... Could be Billion quid stadiumSpurs

The more pressing concerns for me right now is specifically in the league we've been found out. Inability to create or keep the ball, and being one of the easiest teams to score against. Can we still play intense football? The tactics are stale more so than the players albeit several are aging. They are still playing ok in Europe and knockout cup games.