Too slow & no variety - NUFC’s midfield is a BIG problem!

[@johnenglish929]

This club has been in decline ever since Eales put the For Sale sign up for our top players. Prior to that, Amanda had sold players (and fans) the idea of constant improvement with the goal of regular Champions League football and they (we) all bought into it. Since she was fired, we may have the same aspiration but absolutely no strategy to achieve it. We’ve let another window go. by without improving the team at all; everybody can see that Champions League is a pipe dream; heads have gone down and so have performances. Just to encourage everyone a bit, Mitchell has told the players that the system that brought them in, isn’t fit for purpose ! We are clearly in a better position than we were three years ago but in a worse one than we have been in for much of the last two seasons. Sadly, I think things will get worse before they get better.

[@craighope_dailymail]

Good post, John, and I agree with a lot of it - the mood changed last January in light of the message from the club and the interest in players from elsewhere. It was unsettling.

[@johnenglish929]

@@craighope_dailymail Thanks, Craig. I really appreciate that as I really value your opinions on the Toon both as a journalist and as a fan which you clearly are. I saw my first game at SJP when I was 8. The great thing about being a lifetime Toon fan is that no matter how bad things are you’ve always seen worse !

[@rossmcfarlane1219]

He probably wouldn't have put players up for sale if queen Mandy didn't run us into a 70m PSR black hole.

[@mamofoneteen5178]

Exactly what me and family have said tonight. Well put.

[@johnenglish929]

@@rossmcfarlane1219 Eales was CEO, not Amanda, and we had a Finance Director.who reported to Eales.

[@steve-toon]

Great video as always Craig. We also need to talk about set pieces. We've had 88 corners since one of our players scored directly from one (Schar v Spurs at home). Yes there was an OG 82 corners ago against Sheff Utd at home and Hall scored with a long shot from a clearance 54 corners ago away at Man U, but the 88 corners stat is a disgrace. Whatever they're doing in training needs to change, this should be a quick, easy win & lead to a lot more goals without a big formation change.

[@craighope_dailymail]

Thanks Steve, and thanks for the stat. I'll use that.

[@garykilvington9417]

Hi Craig some stats for you from jan do this calendar year we have played 28 games won 12 drawn 7 lost 9 scored 57 conceded 47 so we are where we should be

[@garykilvington9417]

Isaac’s decision at that point was criminal at this moment in time you would get nowhere near what we paid for him

[@garykilvington9417]

Lastly the 2 centre half’s where shockingly bad and in particular schar has been shocking recently we are not even a top 8 team and if the form continues should we really trust the manager with money in the transfer window

[@steve-toon]

​@@craighope_dailymailyou're welcome. On the subject of corners, I also don't understand why we don't leave Gordon up close to the halfway line when we defend one, especially if we're under pressure. The opposition would need to keep 2 players back to deal with him & surely it would mean that it's less likely the ball will come straight back in if it's cleared 🤷‍♂️

[@broonybroony9564]

You are right to be confused about the midfield Craig,who is supposed to solve that - well it’s the Manager and he doesn’t seem capable of doing that on the evidence of this season.We are now being totally punished for bad recruitment and keeping players past their sell by dates.This season is fast turning into a damage limitation exercise and 3 more losses which is definitely possible could put us into a relegation battle.We should

[@craighope_dailymail]

It feels like the club is heading towards a "reset summer" next year.

[@liamk15]

@@craighope_dailymailstart with the set piece coach… ..although I’m guessing we don’t have one by the looks of it!

[@rossmcfarlane1219]

​@@craighope_dailymailEddie won't rip this team apart, he hasn't got it in him.

[@mamofoneteen5178]

@@craighope_dailymailwould rather not be in that position but given that we are, I hope so, I really do.

[@sid-d4w]

​@@rossmcfarlane1219 I doubt he'll be doing the ripping.

[@Trickster60-um8yd]

The fall in Trippier’s form and influence has been disastrous combined with Botman’s injury. And that was last season! As so often with this bloody Club, a lack of cohesion at the top infects the players on the pitch. And, everything I have been talking about since we gave Liverpool a win at home last season, has come true. I take no pleasure in being right! Poor recruitment, unlucky rules and naivety. Sadly, Eddie’s days appear numbered.

[@Ashtonishing1812]

He’s not doing well but the issues are more than Eddie. He may end up the fall guy though if things don’t improve

[@phoenixrisin5848]

@@Ashtonishing1812 After the takeover and incredible achievement of a cup final and 4th place finish two seasons ago it doesn't half feel like we're being subjected to the same kind of demoralising rhetoric we were under Ashley. Instead of improving our first team we bought potential and by next season our better players will finance the rebuild...sound familiar?

[@Ashtonishing1812]

@@phoenixrisin5848 nah, but it’s obviously harder than anyone thought at the start

[@phoenixrisin5848]

@@Ashtonishing1812 There seems a meek acceptance of the rules and while other clubs have sought legal routes, we use them as a rock to hide behind 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Ashtonishing1812]

@@phoenixrisin5848 I’d agree with that. I think they are biding their time to see what breaks and decide on key projects eg stadia. We know PIF are slow though. We need to see progress in next 2 year though or it will be a cast as a damp squib. Also need a new CEO which is a pain.

[@fredjames9867]

Welcome to Bournemouth . Dont expect any better . same guy same outcome

[@chazu-land]

🙏I really hope we get some dynamic signings in January.

[@falconarrow]

1. Give Tonali a full 90 2. Stop asking Burn and Schar to drift into midfield (or play Kelly) 3. Train the players on set pieces to within an inch of their life 4. Play Willock instead of Big Joe 5. Play with intensity again

[@TonyODOnnell-tt8gh]

6, have heart & desire...

[@johnenglish929]

@@falconarrow Your point 5 is a key one. No one mentions Bunce, but there is no doubt that this side is not as fit as it has been in the past. The players don’t have the stamina and fitness levels to play with Eddie’s trade mark intensity and with a few exceptions, they don’t have the technical skills to play any other way. There’s no point in having an injury free squad watching European games on TV and then struggling against the likes of Southampton, Fulham, Brighton and Everton. We need to be playing in Europe ourselves !

[@phoenixrisin5848]

@@falconarrow If Tonali can't last 60, why leave him on for 90 ?

[@falconarrow]

@@phoenixrisin5848 seems to have no problem playing full matches for Italy

[@phoenixrisin5848]

@ He also had no problems betting over there either. Maybe he just isn't cut out for the premier league? I'm not saying by the way that I think he's not a good player because I think he is. But the idea that he should stay on for 90 when he disappears long before 60 makes zero sense to me. He gave Palmer freedom of the left side on Sunday, you'd have all been on longstaffs case of he was playing yet people have their tongues jammed so far up Tonalis hoop they don't want to acknowledge his performances are a major factor in why the midfield is our biggest weakness.

[@neilglover6980]

Craig, how well is Guehi doing at Palace? Stop throwing Howe the recruitment excuse he is clinging to. He fucked it up as much as anyone else

[@DanielCordone9]

Yeah, he tried to spend £300m on James Trafford, Elanga, Calvert Lewin, Kalvin Phillips, Joe Gomez and Marc Guehi

[@AntagonizinGeordie]

@@DanielCordone9 please show me actual facts where there was legitimate facts we tried to sign all them Guehi yep was confirmed bids but the others mate that’s you listening to X instead of the club

[@falconarrow]

@@DanielCordone9 the number of fans who believe any old drivel from the media because it supports their anti-Howe campaign. Ungrateful cretin.

[@Bagehot99]

@@DanielCordone9 Those are Twitter transfers. They were never real. Those stories are what we call 'clickbait'.

[@johnaskew2454]

So Craig ; you feel our biggest problem is 3 in midfield. Well you know what, you're absolutely right. And it's not just this season is it. You also said Eddie is the man to take us forward and we're all entitled to our opinions. A version of 4-4-2 would surely offer more in terms of shape and balance. It couldn't be worse than what's going on at the moment could it. But let's be honest, Eddie will stick with 4-3-3 regardless of the harm done. Precisely why is open to conjecture but I think most fans would agree that at the moment he's under achieving with the squad he has available. So if he's not changing formation surely the owners will consider options and rightly so. We can't go on like this - we're nearer the bottom 3 than the top 4 and it's nowhere near good enough. Eddie is intelligent, articulate likeable and very good at PR but it's what happens on the pitch that really counts. We can't just continue with him because he's nice ! Things need to improve and fast. It's just over 2 months ago many in the fanbase were saying top 4 was on because we weren't in Europe and we would avoid all the disadvantages it brings. I was thinking on those lines myself. And here we are in late October in 12th place with the likes of Forest, Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth ahead of us in the table. What signs are there of any significant improvement any time soon !!? It's not good ; perhaps our main hope lies with h our Saudi owners who will only tolerate failure for so long. It's all very sad to be frank and to replace a feel good with a feeling bad factor so quickly is as disturbing as it is surprising. But like like I say, the Saudis are our main hope. I'm not confident but hope that Eddie can get it right. You never know !!

[@alanlittle3941]

Absolutely spot on Craig. I was surprised just how many times we gave the ball away. The top teams don't give the ball away as many times as we have recently. Even last season there were some bad performances which is why we finished out of a European place. Yes injuries and CL didn't help. Eddie's been let down by the last 2 transfer windows yes but where exactly do we go from here if its not a change of coach? A massive week ahead for our club. HWTL

[@AlexAustin-f3r]

Completely agree with what you’re saying. The system we are using is not working but also we cant expect to have a plan B when you look at our squad and the depth of it. Not signing and letting go of talent has been our downfall. Would not like to be in Eddie’s shoes right now.

[@F80.M3]

Yes we need Elliott Anderson who scored ZERO goals in 55 apps for Newcastle

[@DanielCordone9]

Been watching him for Forest. He's had one good game against Palace so far. Did the right thing getting rid of him

[@normansidey5258]

What about Chris Wood’s form though, he has come good at Forest, scoring goals. Just look at their league position.

[@michaelmckie9164]

Agree with every point, I’m not Howe out by any means but there are structural issues and maybe they are there because we are trying to play a certain way rather than say what Howe did in first season (saved from relegation) where we were just looking at what is best we can do with the players we have? The 4th season is how Howe want’s to play but I think with the lack of refresh/quality/physicality adding to the squad we maybe just aren’t capable of man to man press over a 38 game season (with aging players) and we certainly don’t seem capable away from home without the crowd. Liverpool, most like how we want to play, play with a 6. I think Howe probably has to accept that we need a ‘specialist 6’, doesn’t have to play that way every game but at the moment we don’t have the option of that away from home and it leaves us exposed. I’d add if we look to be more solid away from home might be better in a 4231. I like Barnes but he was always a player we didn’t need with Gordon, Willock, Joelinton all capable of playing LW and our lack of quality at RW and goals from midfield has meant we are easier to stop as threat almost always low from left.

[@DanielCordone9]

I am. Howe out

[@MimemikeG2]

I watched the Newcastle game and then the Liverpool Arsenal game straight after. It struck me that we are simply not at the level of a top 4 team - we need to let that go. It isn’t that we are underperforming so much as the manpower on the pitch in that second game was way above our levels. Of course on a good day for us and a bad day for them, we could beat either team but we just aren’t at that level. It’s interesting to discuss specific factors to blame- midfield, defence, EH etc. but I think we are doing about right for what we have to offer- maybe a little below. The season we made top 4 every player played better than they had before and since for the best part of a season. The money in the takeover was supposed to change this team with signings. That hasn’t happened for various reasons and so here we are with no excuses just not good enough. Maybe EH can pull us up a bit but I can’t see him getting us into CL

[@sid-d4w]

Do you think we have any players currently who could be converted into that no 6 role? Schar maybe? He has the defensive and midfield attributes

[@ste1887]

In the last 38 games we’ve got 5 more points than Everton & shipped over 60 goals

[@sfcobra]

Could write a whole section of every player but you nailed it Craig. Hall and Liv tried their best and were exposed at times due to midfield cover. Schar and burn too slow and didn’t get why Schar was pressing palmer in their half. Left us exposed. Burn stopped for the goal as he expected Schar to slide and win. Jackson left him for dead which shows how poor we are against any pace. Why Schar takes our free kicks is beyond me also. Never works and surely we have players that can do better. Midfield I’m blue in the face saying. Bruno and Tonali won’t work EVER. I’ve not a clue what both are doing and all I see is Bruno caught on the ball dallying on and has no pace at all. Every team just play through the midfield so easily. Miggy and Murphy aren’t the answer on the right but get we are stuck with this squad. We have totally gone backwards last season and this one. To me the formation doesn’t work and we need a 6 to sit in front of the back 4.. Bruno when came played higher up and scored goals. We are wasting what he could do. Yea today wasn’t a bad show, thought some good play and they are not that great. But always thought we wouldn’t win. Getting into a rut now. Cup defeat and Arsenal/forest defeat then it’s season over and Howe will be gone by Xmas

[@scottdavison5584]

It's beyond time the press pack stop sucking up to Eddie and the club and ask some real questions rather than the same dross every press conference. Such as how can they scream PSR, when it's a mess of their own making. Why is Dan Burn playing within a high line at Stamford Bridge and pressing to midfield when he has no pace and especially when Lloyd Kelly is on the bench, why are we still playing a lone six when it hasn't worked for 18 months and why are we so tactically inept. Every single metric suggests we're a bottom half side that can neither defend, nor attack and we've not played well for an entire calendar year now. Howe is playing himself into the sack which is a shame as I love the bloke, but it's time our press pack did it's job.

[@neilglover6980]

What he said ☝️

[@daniel4224]

i agree. but in reality which new manager do we go for? there's no one decent out there at the minute

[@neilglover6980]

@@daniel4224 plenty of good quality managers available, we just may not know their names. One that is available is Terzich, the guy who took Dortmund to the Champions League final. Was being linked with West Ham so he'd be interested in Newcastle. Quite frankly I don't care at this stage. That's Paul Mitchell's job. He may even go jail break Poch from the USA job. There's plenty of life coaching wise after Howe. Genuinely I'm amazed how well Howe has managed to pull the wool over so many people's eyes for so long

[@daniel4224]

@@neilglover6980 Edin Terzic is not a top manager. He would be little to no up grade on Howe.

[@neilglover6980]

​@@daniel4224Why do you think that? Howe is utterly out of ideas. Anyone with a willingness to do something different would be fine at this stage. Did you know who Fabian Hertzel was before Brighton got him? Would you have said he was better than Howe? He seems to be doing very well, certainly better than Howe. I genuinely don't care who we get so long as Howe is removed

[@fizzysausage]

All fair Craig. “Lots of little issues” sums it up for me. We’ve lost our swagger. They look like boys against men just now. Chelsea’s players just had that extra yard, that added strength and that swagger to pick us off. Positively though, a goal in open play, and a good one too. Disappointing that we don’t get enough clean shots off, make the keeper work, always seems to get blocked or hit the first man. We need clear space to bring in two top attacking players in Jan for me.. striker and right winger. You’re right, there’s an issue with 3 eights but that’s not an insurmountable issue to resolve for a group of top midfield premier league and international players. It’s discipline that’s required.. Great post match views today, no point in hiding from it. Not sure I agree on the Barnes front through, I thought he was awful today.

[@CCkhT21o681]

On left wing, we have Gordon, Barnes, Willock and Joelinton. Tell me Howe has spend our money wisely? Paul Mitchell, pls correct Howe's transfer failings!!!

[@rossmcfarlane1219]

Everyone whinging about Tonali, Eddie said he had watched him the season before we signed him and fell in love with him, surely worrying that hes spent 55m on a player that hes watched and cant figure where fits in this team.

[@ChrisHudson-ib3nv]

Tonali is a absolute world world class midfeilder world class hes will eventually leave us as all the decent players we will have and we will be back to everyone wingeing about longstaff again

[@phil5357]

Players are probably as disillusioned as we are with the false promises and blatant bollocks regarding our aspirations. Shit summer window. Signing 39 yr old goalkeepers and freebies? Yeah, very positive. That being said every single one of them has been massively under par this season. And Wilson misses 3 months, then 3 more games with 'muscle tightness'?? Stinks of Michael Owen to me. Uninspiring, disappointing and worrying season so far. No chance we're getting europe. Top 10 is probably a stretch

[@craighope_dailymail]

The summer was deflating and demoralising for all concerned - staff, players, fans alike.

[@DanielCordone9]

We could get relegated. Only Ipswich and Southampton are worse than us.

[@JacobScott0000]

Blatant bollocks - I love that turn of phrase 😂👍🏻

[@niallpowell5456]

Eddie gets away every press conference with journalists more interested in whether he is an oasis or blur fan. Yeah asked Bruce the hard hitting questions time to give them to Eddie. We haven’t scored from fifty corners is there something we can do to make it different for example. Sandro tonali takes free kicks and corners for Italy why is he not given responsibility these are type of questions fans need to hear instead of multiple journalists asking same question differently put it’s lazy cjournalism

[@ste1887]

This season has the feel of a manager's last season, I hope not, but the optics/metrics/mood music all point towards this.

[@juliogeordio7358]

Pray he is sacked

[@hannahreed-yv6dx]

He’s going to cost himself his job by refusing to change. Far too stubborn.

[@JohnWilliamRobertson]

Yes I agree with you on the structure of the midfield and have said in comments on here for over a year that Eddies insistence on only signing 8s will finish him. What I cannot understand is how you can say this is down to recruitment and not EH when you yourself have said many times Eddy does not want number 6 or number 10 he wants all number 8s. Well that being true he has got what he wants and it will never challenge the top of the league. But he definitely has to take responsibility for that

[@std6385]

There is a real lack of identity and playing style, we dont dictate games, dont keep the ball, the pace and power we had 2 seasons ago has long gone. Its hard to know exactly what we are now other than a team and club stagnating. Needs a major refresh and hard to know if this structure and manager are able to do it.

[@richard1701]

We did against City and Brighton. The signs are there that we still have it. Just got to stay loyal to Eddie through this rough patch and hope hes given money to spend in January

[@johnhampton6462]

What choices do we have in midfield.. Murphy, Almiron, Longstaff and Murphy all poor this season.. Maybe the team needs a new voice get Mancini in

[@Cory-lh3yp]

Completely agree Craig. I’d go to a 4-2-3-1 Livramento Schar Burn Hall Tonali Joelinton or Longstaff Gordon Bruno Murphy Isak I’ve always thought Bruno’s too slow and not defensive enough to play as a 6 and does have the ability to unlock a defence at a time where we’re struggling to create chances. All of Bruno’s best play comes in the final 3rd so use him there in the 10/8.

[@gavinblenkinsop6250]

The only analogy I can think of for Tonali’s form is that he’s a Rolls Royce engine in a Fiat Punto. Put better players around him in midfield and he will show his class. He’s a top class player but expecting him to shine when he’s been asked to play a 6 - 8 - 10 role in a non-functioning midfield is not going to bring it out of him. Play him as an 8, sign a 6 and see the difference.

[@willunderhill8783]

The only thing as predictable as Cole Palmer having an unopposed run at our defence was Eddies changes on the 65th minute. He’s a copy and paste manager, same formation, same tactics and same substitutions. We’ve become way too predictable and he’s been found out. Something that doesn’t happen to ‘brilliant’ managers.

[@manakara9821]

I've always said that and received stick for it. He has little vision and no confidence which spells weakness. The whole recruiting team need sacking.

[@Ses169]

Craig , ask these questions to eddy on the next press conference please …

[@grahamtowler1761]

We played well in patches but there were signs of the Bruce/Ashley era and if someone doesn't grasp the next transfer window for incoming and outgoing players we may end up back there.

[@JakeD98]

We miss 22/23 Trippier so much. He was operating at a world class level. Was involved in so many of our patterns down the right hand side and now it looks so flat. His leadership was instrumental, got buckets of assists and set pieces were top class.

[@ItsmeAndygNUFC]

This feels like the beginning of the end. You can see the body language of the players is off Eddie is stubborn and won't tweak the formation and I fear in a month or two time we'll be struggling possibly 15th or lower approaching the January window, they'll be serious calls for Eddie to go And unless he can turn this around? I think it's inevitable Tbh

[@liamk15]

Can’t even look forward to the games anymore, you just know how it is going to play out before a ball is kicked. Rinse and repeat for the next game.

[@ozzy6162]

Apparently everything Eddie's done for us over the past 3 seasons is forgotten about as soon as there's a run of poor form. Some toon fans have very short memories. But for a dodgy ref we would have been in the knock out stages of the champion's league last season - the season before a cup final. Talk of sacking Eddie is disgusting.

[@craighope_dailymail]

I agree.

[@phoenix-11-nufc]

Always a pleasure to hear your constructive commentary which is always spot on Craig and arguably the only one worth listening to with the exceptions of Keith Downie and Roobenstein. I’ve now unsubscribed from all the others as their comments are mostly negative or based on click bait. 👍

[@craighope_dailymail]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy them.

[@littlewood6]

The football is repetitive. Other teams know what to expect and plan accordingly. It’ll be the same during the week.

[@DELUSIONALDANNYG2]

The best teams progress by selling their best players every now and then. Eddie doesn’t want to sell ANYONE EVER which is why he will NEVER win anything and we are standing still, he refuses to sell anyone incase “it disrupts the mood at training” even though the mood is already rock bottom because of Eddie only wanting Guehi or NOBODY in the summer. Get him GONE!! We got CL with Willock at LM and Joelinton LW but nobody puts the question to Howe.

[@DanielCordone9]

Guehi is a Championship player. He regularly makes mistakes

[@johnenglish929]

Wrong. The best teams progress by keeping their best players; getting into Europe and buying even better ones. We haven’t had a window since we finished in the top four in which we have made major - if any - improvements to the first team.

[@JKOversion1]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@DELUSIONALDANNYG2]

@@johnenglish929 wrong, the best teams always sell players. Man City, arsenal, Liverpool, all prime examples.

[@johnenglish929]

@@DELUSIONALDANNYG2 None of them has sold a single player who could be described as their best player at the time when they sold him.

[@ytubepaul]

Livramento's positioning for Chelsea's first goal was atrocious. He should have been 5 yds deeper against Neto. Schar was slow to cover and could have trusted Livvy to catch Neto - because he showed he was quicker two or three times after. And Dan Burn sauntering back until he panicked was woeful. I said to my pal.... "on paper: a midfield of Tonali, Guimaraes and Joelinton and a forward line of Barnes, Isak and Gordon has gotta be the best in the PL, bar two teams. Right now our midfield look like strangers to one another. That's down to the coaching, isn't it?

[@dansnowden9147]

You say “Eddie is the man” for what? Mid table? For more terrible transfers, over-loyalty? For ridged thinking/tactics? Maybe for relegation which he delivered the last time in the PL? He’s bang average for PL standards. Stop this ‘Eddie is the man’ absolute nonsense

[@robinskelton1565]

Quality in the wide areas. Would it be such a bad thing to try out Trevan Sanusi ?

[@neilglover6980]

Having 2 keepers on the bench and none of the young lads is a complete disgrace

[@tomruddell-h7t]

Speak to any Bournemouth fans, they love Eddie but they've seen this play out before. The 22/23 season is the anomaly in Eddie's career. Were terrible defensively, as he's always been apart that 1 season

[@SteviePeters-x3u]

Tbf they had players like Charlies Daniel, Francis etc as defenders who were league 1/2 players

[@MichaelHeslam-z2z]

Exactly Lloyd Kelly is another championship​@@SteviePeters-x3u

[@rossmcfarlane1219]

Very good chance we are 15th by the international break. This is Eddies long goodbye, team looks devoid of confidence and ideas.

[@DanielCordone9]

Howe will be sacked after the Forest game. We'll probably draw against Arsenal and then lose against Forest

[@damienreilly4347]

Howe hasnt been let down during the windows, he's the one thats been the ket down. Howe has had ghe final say in transfers and it was his reluctance to pick a second choice centre back target that meant that we ended up signing no one, except a striker he doesn't like.

[@JKOversion1]

You can see the trajectory...the manager needs to go! I'd say go in for Amorim or Conceicao. We've been too slow to make a change and have missed out on Tuchel.

[@ricardovosse3841]

One league win in 12 with Tonali starting. Italian international and I could see him slotting in at city or a team with all the ball but 4 deft touches a game isn’t enough for the Howe system. It’s also impacting Bruno who is left with more donkey work. I would try longstaff behind Tonali and Bruno. Free the two most gifted MFs. Push Joelinton further upfield.

[@DanielCordone9]

He's no Moussa Sissoko

[@phoenixrisin5848]

Tonali May as well still be banned, absolutely anonymous yet again.

[@GoroOno]

@@ricardovosse3841 Howe doesn't know how to use him. Guy was imperious for Milan, plays out his skin for Italy, but he is anonymous for us.

[@phoenixrisin5848]

@@GoroOno Maybe he's like Pistone and has the heart of a sheep ?

[@nzbob193]

Whatever you think of Tonali, surely he’s better than Longstaff. I would have preferred the lackadaisical Schär to be taken off in favour of Krafth.

[@LiamK1998]

Under Howe we are sinking lower and lower down the table we could be 16th by Forest away

[@juliantaylor2223]

I thought Newcastle played well but Chelsea have so much flair it was always going to be difficult. Cole Palmer is an outstanding footballer. So difficult to stop a mercurial talent like that.

[@stevenmurray436]

Not sure why you believe ‘Eddie is the man’ Craig? Ask any Bournemouth fan and they will tell you they’ve seen this all before - lack of variety in tactics, over-loyal to players to the disadvantage of the club and a certain stubbornness. I believe he’ll be gone by Christmas on the current trajectory - the owners will want someone else to have the transfer window and progress, although who they would bring in, I’m not sure.

[@adb9231]

NUFC should have challenged the illegal, anti-competitive PRS/FFP rules much earlier as they serve only and quite deliberately to stop non-cartel clubs from succeeding. I’m aware apparently that PL clubs “are not allowed” to take the Pl to court, which itself may be illegal, but even if it is a thing, there are means to take a legal case forward through third party advocacy. The rules are killing us and our ambition by stopping non cartel clubs from doing exactly what the cartel clubs have, and are still doing. However, regardless of that, we have a good squad that compared to our recent past is underperforming and in this Craig’s observations are absolutely valid.

[@TonyODOnnell-tt8gh]

1000%

[@samcoates8944]

The result was disappointing but the performance in context was respectable. Chelsea are a very good young team playing at home and we weren't blown away. Isak got a goal, which is a relief. Now he has to build on that. Some fans and pundits are a bit kneejerk. We overperformed results-wise earlier in the season and things are now leveling out. Let's see how we can strengthen in the winter window and where we are come the end of the season. Upper mid table would feel about right, and we build from there.

[@jayaychare7318]

to think we offloaded anderson and minteh 😩. the exact sort of players Newcastle need to mix things up. On Isak, he butchered a simple pass across the goal mouth for a tap-in, it's not the first time he's ball-hogged and left a chance out there for a teammate to tap in.

[@JohnnyJakarta]

The problem we had is Chelsea’s obvious tactic of drawing the forwards to press in such a way that it leaves Palmer with space in the middle and that’s dangerous. They did that from the first minute and we didn’t seem to address it

[@stephenharrison3051]

The writing was on the wall during preseason in Japan.

[@givemesomewine]

3 subs for subs sake..imo made no difference, certainly not going to win us the game...and of course at Eddie O'clock. 67 minutes.

[@ssoolliidd1]

I'm often very critical of Mr Hope, however I agree with everything said here! Fair assessment of our current situation! Good vid Craig!

[@Paul-gy7iy]

Eddie Howe must be on borrowed time, surely? We've been rubbish all season - can he turn things around? Highly doubtful. A good start would be to cancel Wilson's contract.

[@samcoates8944]

I agree we need more variety in midfield. All 3 starting midfielders are perhaps best suited to a box to box role. Bruno is the most technically gifted and I see him more as a #8 who can control games from deep if needed. Joelinton is very physically imposing and can hold the ball well and make clever runs which is important, but he isn't a natural creator or defender. I think we perhaps should have recruited a different type of midfielder instead of Tonali. He is a great player and is technically sound with elite physical attributes but he is a bit of a hybrid between Bruno and Joelinton. Definitely an upgrade on Longstaff but what we needed was a gifted playmaker who can help us create more quality chances and get more out of players like Isak and Gordon. Hopefully January will see us recruit a more creative winger to give our attack a spark.

[@Skjerstad1812]

I think a good manager doesn't give his unconditional loyalty to his players. We are going backwards. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@juliogeordio7358]

👍🏼

[@DanielCordone9]

Yar, just look at our bench. Osula and Lloyd Kelly are Championship players. Awful signings.

[@tomruddell-h7t]

It's clear to anyone who wants to be honest that we are so inept tactically. We been found out, got a 1 dimensional coach with a system that doesn't get the best out of our players. Eddie is so far out of his depth he needs replacing asap to save this season

[@craighope_dailymail]

I'll defend Eddie, but it's on him to find answers now - and that is feeling increasingly like a change of system.

[@tomruddell-h7t]

@@craighope_dailymail I get it, he's a nice guy and given us so much. But in a football sense how can you possibly defend him ? Last season was a disaster in terms of managing players health and work load. His loyalty to players, players on the bench that can't be called upon, the same subs every week, same system. If this was Bruce you'd be all over him. That being said I think you're a great reporter and one of the first I listen to, even if the fans don't like what you say. PS we paid for for Osula than villa did for for Duran and he was scouted by Tindell

[@tomruddell-h7t]

@@craighope_dailymail change of system ? We should be changing systems all the time depending of opponents etc. we're waiting's 11 months to change a system that's no working 🤦‍♂️

[@kevreid387]

This is an excellent summary of where Howe's team are. Absolutely spot on.

[@craighope_dailymail]

Thanks Kev, good to hear.

[@alancharlton109]

How can you call Tonali week in week out and not call out Eddie Howe. Howe is the one who sets the team up an gives them the tactics to play.

[@DanielCordone9]

British favouritism

[@stephenstrong8885]

Bench seemed very weak today. Agree Tino and Lewis played well although Tino needs to eat a bit more red meat to increase his ‘bite’. It’s not working with Tonali right, Bruno middle and Joelinton left. Tonali at times looks lost, particularly in transition when we lost possession.

[@jazzyb1234]

Palmer was astounding I take my hat off to him. No keeper should be beaten at the near post. And if Brian Clough had seen Isak trying a flick on half way and getting dispossessed he’d have fined him a weeks wages

[@Big-toon]

Craig brilliant video you hit nail on the head .I think Eddie to loyal to certain players ??

[@MarkWeir-cr5tk]

The thought that having the full weeks to prepare would help us with no Europe but it seems not, they could not string passes together. Midfield 3 do not work together. We are 9th in terms of spend and looks like that is where we will end up if we improve.

[@geordietoonforlife.1155]

Craig let’s be honest we don’t have the discipline in midfield everyone goes forward at every chance including the full backs it’s suicide. You either play 5-3-2 with wingbacks knowing they can go forward knowing they have an extra defender at the back or it’s 4-2-3-1 with let’s say Tonali and Joelinton being told you are there to protect the back four let Bruno be the creator or Tonali whichever is best and let us have 4 attacking players and control the game. Why was Burn told to play so high against Jackson when he got skinned time and time again it’s obviously a tactic Howe worked on and it didn’t work and it should have been changed at halftime but it was ignored. It makes Burn and Schar look really bad especially as they have no pace this issue or system had to change as 4-3-3 is not working as I’ve said midfield has no discipline at all.

[@mark.lawrence]

individual error for palmers goal but slightly improved performance overall overrun in midfield right from the start & never really threatened throw ins won in the chelsea half going back to pope who struggles to kick is ridiculous

[@shearer63]

Do you remember when we had those patterns of play with Trips. Miggy and Bruno and Longstaff interchanging on the right . Not seen those in 2 years 😢

[@alanthompson3780]

Craig you make valid points..it,s just after 56 years of watching Newcastle we are as far away from winning a trophy in my lifetime ..it drains my enthusiasm as soon as Palmer scored I new the game was finished ..you make the most valid point that the midfield was glaring obvious was so slow when losing the ball my mam could beat them in football race and she,s 91 and has a summer frame !!! the next 2 games are massive 1 first to have a chance to win a trophy ..and the next to finish in the top 10 if we lose both ..then it,s a case of roll on next season and just get to 40 points !! please if they can ?

[@edwardcontreras4101]

Appreciate the excellent analysis, indeed. Yes, the midfield is bereft with issues, and it were high time no? Weren't we all taught that the center of the midfield is among the most coveted of positions and responsibilities? Weren't we seeing players gravitate to the middle of the field for much of spells in the past year? In other words we must admit our weakness despite all of the positive things to say about the midfielders. LIke wearing the latest fashionable merchandise, brands, noticing or competing for the central midfield is almost cliche at this club. Take the goal we scored for instance at Chelsea. It effectively was a continuous string of passes straight up the middle of the pitch; converseley, take some of the weakest goals we have conceded: lost pass on the opposing team's third with passes straight up the middle of the field through our midfield. Voila we are want to play midfield in attacking sense but not as defenders. So if Eddie's able to play one central midfielder, then in theory this is proably a good idea. I would add if we cannot see the silly if not schoolbay tendency of our players to get sucked into the middle of the field more than occasionally, then we must admit no one but Bruno is ready for this role. Hate to agree and disagree but I think the lineup is agruably ok and we need perhaps more position integrity - keep payers on wings and keep some defenders more focused on our third no theirs.

[@sp.8632]

There was a point last season where I thought injuries and schedule had got on top of us and accepted we couldn't risk further injuries by playing with our high intensity press and pressure and winning the ball back high up. But that was last season. This season I thought we would get back to the high intensity press. We haven't. We got nowhere near Chelsea (or most other teams this season) and I'm sick of seeing us pass it across the back trying to keep possession. We have ball players in our team. They shouldn't be passing it off to Burn and Pope, who are liabilities on the ball. We need to be braver and more attacking and more energetic. Longstaff is another one I wouldn't trust on the ball as he dawdles and is too slow, but this is the first game I thought he looked better than the man he replaced.

[@DennisWalker-v9i]

Morning Craig mate this is what it looks like two pointless windows 😢

[@andrewgarrett5799]

history shows that his teams concede loads of goals, apart from one season, i think it's 60 odd goals a season. that doesn't get you anywhere. he thinks we played well, he thinks we are heading in the right direction. he got miffed when questioned about tonali, the club would be mad not to have somebody in mind, if not already lined up, to replace him. we are no better than the team that kept us up and we have spent millions since then. totally one dimensional, sussed a long time ago. set pieces are dreadful, we are slow and basically not very good. can't see him lasting much longer

[@jrws89]

I am hoping that Eddie can come up with the tactical solutions to fix the lack of victories in recent games. The in game substituions at the moment are way too predictable and constantly the same names at the same times during games? Looking at the fixtures coming up we have Chelsea, Arsenal, Forest and West Ham. I feel like Wednesday's game is absolutely massive and another performance where we play good in patches and then go missing isn't going to go down well with the Home Support at all. Everything feels like a bit of a tinderbox at the moment and the only way that stops is by getting wins

[@levstone415]

I was pleasantly surprised that we managed to get more xG than Chelsea on their patch and without Gordon and we were brave with a high block. Biggest problem is Schar's form his legs look slow and is responsible for quite a few goal mistakes. Hope Eddie can try Kelly/Burn combination.

[@yuyuleung1506]

We overspend in the last few years which did us no favour in signing players in the last 2 windows at all under FFP. However, the major problem now is our unchanged 334 formation and strategy, our midfield mix. Howe still not yet sort it out. Tonali, Bruno and BIG Joe is simply not the answer. We can’t attack and defend from our midfield.

[@jimmyeatsmovies893]

10:11 And what is tippiers injury 😕?

[@ThomasHumes-u3n]

EH needs to accept part of the responsibility in recruitment (not all) and 100 percent of the responsibility for not moving off the 4-3-3 , its not working and needs to be changed. Stubbornness will get him sacked.

[@shauntaylor6040]

I said since West Ham away Tonali won't be a success and will be gone at the end of the season.

[@rory0949]

Excellent assessment Craig👍

[@johnhewison-z9s]

As long as we have a Championship manager nothing will change.

[@jimmyeatsmovies893]

3:06 at the moment Eddie is anything but brilliant. But with zero support from the board. No real CF no RF no CB, that certainly not supporting were manager at ALL!

[@GoroOno]

100% spot on about Joelinton. He played his best football for us at LW. A very short purple patch at CM convinced a lot of people, our manager included apparently, that he could play there permanently. He cannot. He's not fast or technical enough on the ball, and his passing is one of the weakest parts of his game.

[@givenright]

Exactly. Joelinton should be competing with Gordon on LW and the Barnes money should have been spent on RW. That is on Howe 100%

[@tomb5850]

Howe has proven he can improve and adapt. He needs to do that until January otherwise I fear his time at nufc wont last much longer. As much as I feel we are in transition and a squad overhaul is needed. Therefore, inconsistency is to be expected... I think an elite manager gets this squad top 6 Howe not wanting 10s and/or 6s baffles me a little. Is it because he feels other positions are needed first or does he just not believe in using them? Joelinton is not a CM. Never was. His best matches were interchanging with LW. That is how he should be used now.. but if we're evolving into a possession based team. Joelinton is surely surplus to requirements. Im starting to come round to idea of selling a big name or two. Big reset is needed. Plenty others do it. So why not us.

[@craighope_dailymail]

Good post Tom, I agree with all of it. I'd say Howe has a lot of goodwill in the bank, however. I just hope he has the energy for the rebuild that looks increasingly necessary.

[@F80.M3]

@@craighope_dailymailgoodwill means nothing. We need proven winners

[@philipcawthorn9651]

If going to press the reset button I think management will also look at a new head coach. I love Eddie and will be gutted but it is becoming inevitable. If anyone has the Mentality to turn things around though, Howe does.

[@F80.M3]

@@philipcawthorn9651 based on what? He got Bournemouth relegated lol

[@tomb5850]

​@@philipcawthorn9651 this is what I fear. But the fear is mostly down to a sort of romanticised view I have wanting an English manager who took Bournemouth to the prem, go on and turn us into an elite team .. realistically we need a foreign manager to do that.

[@lillypadgaming6191]

Your spot on Craig, no thought of changing formation or tactics, however I don’t entirely blame Eddie for this because of the team he has to work with, a few top end premier league players and the rest are run of the mill squad players, it’s all down to poor recruitment , season is already over in my eyes as we’re no where near a top 6 club, don’t blame the players though they do try 100% just not enough top class to make a difference.

[@rogercookcouk]

That word Craig. Change. Something simply has to change.

[@rem90mer]

Please ask Eddie these tough questions in the press conferences.

[@equaltemper]

Craig you've been saying the same thing about the Midfeld since the start of last season. Why can't Howe see it doesn't work? In my opinion he's too stubborn. Joelinton is much loved by the fans but he's never going to be CM that gets into a team that challenges for the league. He's not good enough.

[@TonyODOnnell-tt8gh]

Why, oh, why does he keep hooking Italian international Sandro Tonali off for Longstaff. Who's a championship player, at best. Nick Pope, so poor. He should be saving the 2nd goal. Also, we're giving the ball away too easily. 1 pass cuts through the hole team. Im starting to turn on eddie. He has no plan b, c or D... on the touchline, he looks like a man run out of ideas. Lost, in a word !

[@Adamm357]

Joelinton definitely works better at LW. Pope used to target him from goalkicks, and we'd win the 2nd balls. We've lost these little tactics, and I don't understand why.

[@whittaboi]

Hope wasn’t long ago you were saying we needed to persevere with this midfield configuration

[@andrewrainey7944]

Interesting that we went from trying to sign Maddison to signing Tonali? Totally different players and I don't feel Tonali is what we needed we desperately need a no 10 and have for a few years now! Also Joelinton isn't a midfielder he had that run of form where he looked good for a few games but he would be better as a forward player

[@toxicmop]

Agree with the midfield uncertainty as it's clearly not working. Still think we could have defended better for the goals and the fact we had no-one marking Palmer (arguably one of the best attackers in the prem) was ludicrous! Schar diving into the tackle on Neto was unnecessary for the first goal then backing off for the second was poor too!

[@stephd5047]

Like I’ve said all along, Longstaff gives the team balance & does all the donkey work for the team, without getting the credit he deserves. No Gordon, No Botman, No Willson, also messed up in the summer. Playing a very good Chelsea team, let’s not forget. A channel for doom merchants only, I’m not coming back to it 🎉

[@stevenphillips4494]

He came on and played a three yard pass straight to a Chelsea player … the fact that people are prepared to put up with his lack of ability on the ball because of his work rate and positioning speaks volumes about our recruitment

[@DanielCordone9]

Botman is a Championship player and Gordon is overrated

[@stevenphillips4494]

@@DanielCordone9 .. and you are clearly a world class window-licker

[@skilla20]

I've said from the moment we signed him we didnt need Harvey Barnes, was disappointed when we sold St Maxi instead. Barnes is an average PL footballer imo, right wing was where the investment was needed. Our current problems are not surprising we've needed a 6, 9, rw and cb for years. Bruno was never a true 6 but he's too slow to play further forward I'd sell him in the summer for 70-80m and reinvest in the midfield with 6 and 10 to replace him and big Joe in the starting 11. We need to evolve past being a team full of runners we need players who can put their foot on the ball but are also dynamic. Our transfer recruitment since the first year of the takeover has been poor.

[@jakeoverland5959]

Watch all your videos Craig and I have to say you’ve been saying it for a long time… we need a number 6!! I love Eddie but I’m starting to have doubts creep in with him and I didn’t think I’d say that… at the same time I don’t think the board have backed him enough!

[@givenright]

Howe has been found out by opposing managers long ago. When we can't high press teams into submission, he has nothing. He definitely isnt elite, i would go as far to say he has beeen grossly overated by fans and journalists alike

[@danewing3813]

Change the formation to something like Schar Burn Kelly Tino Tonali Bruno Hall Miggy Isak Gordon Adds more flexibility and protects against the lack of pace we've got at the back at the minute plus allows one of our best attacking players in hall more freedom!

[@scottpurchase-y7r]

It is no coincidence that we have gotten steadily worse since the loss of Sven Botman. Since he first got the injury and still attempted to play we have struggled because we can no longer be as aggressive in our press due to the fact that our centre halves are so slow and immobile. I am sick and tired of hearing how good Schar is he is terrible and has had one good season since he signed for the club and Burn is a back up at best not to mention Lloyd Kelly who should never of been signed by the club. The last two summer windows have been a disaster and we have only ourselves to blame.