Is Howe struggling?

[PhoneymcRingRing]

It’s not a good sign with Howe, he doesn’t seem to be able to change things around. 4-3-3 isn’t working anymore it’s jaded and teams have figured it out. If Wilson was fit he’d probably play 4/4/2 with Wilson and Isak up front. Bruno Tonali in the same team isn’t working, maybe they can play as a pair in front of a back 4 in a 4-2–3-1 with Gordon in the middle of the 3. Doesn’t seem to be any interest in trying that formation.

Also from early last season when we are up against it and teams are in control and pushing for a goal, we can never seem to get control of the ball, we just defend for our lives getting bodies in the way, win the ball and give it straight back to the opposition inviting them to come back for on to us. I find that concerning he hasn’t sorted that out yet.

“We just haven’t clicked yet” it’s nearly November now lads.

[Zippity]

It's a far cry from 2 year ago, that's for sure.

We've talked about this a bit recently, namely this idea that Howe has become less certain of himself and his team and has adopted a more cautious style of play. That and the fact that he hasn't been able to address the gaping hole in our midfield.

Being honest, at the minute, albeit we've had some better moments, you'd be hard pressed to find major differences in the way we're playing to some of our performances under Pardew or even Bruce.

And I almost deleted that comparison because it seems too harsh on Eddie and that's not what I want to be doing at all-however, much as I know there are reasons that mitigate our form to an extent and some of the players are playing well below their levels, unfortunately, the point stands.

This is a tricky period for Eddie and the team and I desperately hope and want him to come through it but we need to start picking up some better results and I think we've gone past the point of sticking with what we've been doing and hoping it comes right. Eddie's got to make changes-both in tactics and personnel.

[Ragatino]

Everyone from top to bottom behind the scenes at the club know that the summer was a spectacular failure.

We've chewed the fat and talked it to death. Ashworth's protracted departure, Mitchell's delayed start & obviously the major financial constraints of PSR.

No one can get away from the fact that 11 clubs, our direct competitors work with the EPL to restrict our ability to compete.

Will we improve? Absolutely.

We saw last season, that after exiting the UCL and getting players back that we were lethal. Sadly we were done on a technicality when the filth fluked a win against City in the Cup final and missed Europe again.

I expect some decent business done in January, Mitchell has no excuses.

we're 2 wins, 6 points off Arsenal in 3rd.

So is Howe struggling? lol Absolutely not.

If he is then Arteta, Emre, Maresca are all struggling. Yet, 2 of the 3 of those managers are being heralded as the 2nd coming of Jesus.

[Ragatino]

Success is never linear in life, business nor football.

It's easy to complain about the current state of play. Early in the season everyone was whining that we were playing poorly. I was happy to see us taking 3 points.

The complaints now shift to us losing despite there being considerably better performances of late.

Just can't win.

The midfield 3 are starting to show signs of being dominant.
Stats
Newcastle V Brighton
Possession - 59.9%
Shots - 21 to 10
On target - 6 to 5
Touches in Opposition box - 45 to 12

So I really don't know what people are watching?

Chelsea have a squad of £1BILLION of Europe's best talent on the books. We were away at Stanford Bridge and made them look ordinary. Palmer, a player who will go on potentially win Ballon D'Or in his future career.

It was one moment of poor defending and admittedly terrible goal keeping, to be beaten at his near post from outside the box.

Had Pope been up to his usually excellent high standards of goal keeping, we leave The Bridge for a draw and a point.

Everyone gets too emotional and needs to calm down.

[MidsMagpie]

One of Howes big faults is his refusal to change tactics and players Benitez was similar, Lose tomorrow and against Arsenal he will be up against it big time for the first time since he arrived.

[toptoon]

The players are not doing what he wants - that is clear. However, it is his responsibility to make sure that happens.

It’s a long season and not even xmas yet so let’s give it some time.

[Ragatino]

One of Howes big faults is his refusal to change tactics and players Benitez was similar, Lose tomorrow and against Arsenal he will be up against it big time for the first time since he arrived.

It's a results business.

I think the cup match is more important a win than v Arsenal.

Chelsea are beatable. We should have taken something from the bridge. The performance wasn't that bad, wasn't great but we didn't get out classed or out fought by Chelsea. It was a poor bit of goal keeping to get beat at the front post.

I do agree that his decisions in game in terms of player changes is sometime. Leaves players on too long etc.

Again the lack of player signings in the summer has left us with a squad of players who can't play in different ways. It's not an excuse but I'm sure that the plan was to bring in some quality player that were flexible to play in several positions and chance formations in game.

Arsenal are not the world beaters everyone makes them out to be & also they hate coming to Newcastle. It's a lunch time kick off that is more of an issue as the Toon army won't be bevyed up enough to really put on a raucous atmosphere.

[Sclox]

I think a good manager should be an expert in several styles of play. He should in be able to identify a weakness in an opponent or flaw in his own game plan and make the change to personel or formation instantly.

Halftime adjustments win or lose games.

Maybe I am being fkn stupid but that is what a manager should do. Are we seeing this recently?

[Sclox]

I am not complaing, don't get me wrong, I think we are just not getting the rub of the green right now but I would like to mix it up a bit with formation.

[Nufcian]

I think he’s struggling… he’s got no plan B whatsof**kingever… his subs are 99/100 only coming on after 60 mins when we could use a change earlier in a lot of games, I’m not seeing any style or real cohesion through the team

If Man Utd have a sudden uplift in performances under a new manager then I think Howe will be under a lot of pressure.

Look at the sustained improvement has Emery made to Villa… I keep saying it, but the benefit we should be seeing of a poor window is a stable squad playing like they know each other, they aren’t.

These are players that Howe has had a lot of time to work with and to get his message across too.