If anyone's upset now

[HughieG]

I haven’t forgotten I’m giving a free hit to Howe this season. I think it will be a tough season though.

How generous of you. He got us into the Champions League and you're willing to give him a free hit? Whatever you're on, I want some!

[GBruno]

How generous of you. He got us into the Champions League and you're willing to give him a free hit? Whatever you're on, I want some!

I mean I all not going to be too critical. Next season injuries and an underwhelming summer of transfers will not save Howe if the team aren’t performing. And I for one will call him out where appropriate.

I love the guy but he’s not infallible. We play the same formation and tactics every single game. I think our summer transfers were relatively poor in terms of our immediate needs. Is that down to Howe? Did he choose the targets?

There will come a time when we need to be ruthless or we might not win **** all.

I am not yet convinced that Howe will take us all the way. Hopefully he can.

[ex_pat_magpie]

I mean I all not going to be too critical. Next season injuries and an underwhelming summer of transfers will not save Howe if the team aren’t performing. And I for one will call him out where appropriate.

I love the guy but he’s not infallible. We play the same formation and tactics every single game. I think our summer transfers were relatively poor in terms of our immediate needs. Is that down to Howe? Did he choose the targets?

There will come a time when we need to be ruthless or we might not win **** all.

I am not yet convinced that Howe will take us all the way. Hopefully he can.

I can't think of any youngish British manager with as much potential as Eddie Howe. And I'm sure he has a ruthless streak when it is required.

Don't you think the summer transfers were building for the future as they were at very reasonable prices, worth picking up now because available, and although for the future, players who can be integrated now to strengthen the squad.

As far as tactics are concerned, I feel he changes these as well as formations to suit the current game along with the players he has available at the time.

Obviously he doesn't get it right every time, but nor does any other manager, regardless either experience or ability.

[toptoon]

Yeah we were right to sack Bobby Robson and Liverpool should of sacked Klopp last season after their poor run.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Yeah we were right to sack Bobby Robson and Liverpool should of sacked Klopp last season after their poor run.

Exactly, who knows more about football, Freddie Shepherd or Bobby Robson, Jurgen Klopp or Liverpool directors.

[HughieG]

I mean I all not going to be too critical. Next season injuries and an underwhelming summer of transfers will not save Howe if the team aren’t performing. And I for one will call him out where appropriate.

I love the guy but he’s not infallible. We play the same formation and tactics every single game. I think our summer transfers were relatively poor in terms of our immediate needs. Is that down to Howe? Did he choose the targets?

There will come a time when we need to be ruthless or we might not win **** all.

I am not yet convinced that Howe will take us all the way. Hopefully he can.

There's nothing controversial about pointing out the fact that Howe's not infallible nor that he will be under massive strain if the team isn't performing - that's the deal any manager walks into when managing in the Premier League. He's not a saint or beyond criticism. We can all, and I certainly do at times, point out when and where there's room for improvement among the players and the management.

The controversial part for me comes when insisting on pointing out that in the future, he might not do as well based on a dip in form or a few tired, underwhelming performances. The club is moving forward with Eddie at the helm and I think it will take a lot for sane fans to turn on him.

Personally, I don't think the summer transfer window was underwhelming but for the fact that Tonali is no longer available, but I get that some fans wanted more. Taking FFP and the fact that we as part of our strategy don't just go out and sign top players in big European clubs, I thought it was a good window with hopefully more to come in January. I agree that Howe probably had a big say in the players comiing in, but we'd have to include Ashworth in any critcism of the summer recruitment - and potentially the owners in terms of what means were available. But again, I'm not too critical of that aspect - in fact, I'm enjoying seeing us spending proper money on good players with potential.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Top reply Hughie.

[tinostongue]

Personally. I don’t see how anybody can criticise our manager after what he’s achieved so far. He’s operating with 5 key players missing, and got a draw at a team who beat City, some people are getting a bit above themselves I think, be realistic, a few signings a must for Jan, CB,CF, midfield to see us through the second half of the season. No more talk about Eddie getting sacked please!!

[GBruno]

No one on here is seriously talking of Howe being sacked.

My frustration comes from poor performances and not being able to criticise. I’m not the kind of person who is happy to be content when things could have been better.

Barnes, Livramento and Hall are squad players at the moment. We spent £120 mill on squad players and £55 mil on a gambling addict who cannot play for us.

Signings for the future is fine, but not getting European football means there is no future. Our future relies entirely on European football because of FFP.

My point is we did not improve our first 11 whilst our rivals did.

We should have been cementing our top 4 position, instead we’ve gone backwards. We needed experience, not youngsters.

I don’t want to wait 3-4 years for the chance of success. Let’s grasp it now! This is our opportunity to break into the elite.

That’s where I am coming from.

[Tutfoster1892]

I praise Howe and the players when they get it right, I also criticise them if I think they have been poor..

I personally don't think the summer window was decent.. as stated above regarding Livramento and Hall... that was 70m on 2 fullbacks that arent getting games.. I would have rather spent that money on someone like Diaby who would have improved the first team immensely.

I think we will pick up enough points for top 7-8.. but I do not think we finish in CL place again this season.. we have played some hard games in the opening 10.. but we should have been beating the likes of Brighton and Wolves..

Like I have said before.. Howe gets a free hit this season from me.. I'm just enjoying it for what it is, we are still building but the winter window and next summer especially will be judged by many, including myself..