Why NUFC are carrying players but Howe has my support

[@stevedarragh]

This seems very similar to Klopp's first season at Liverpool where he demanded a high-pressing high-intensity game and he was hammered with injuries as the players were just not in that condition, even if they were athletically up to it. Apparently we have the world expert in sports conditioning in our backroom staff - so time for him to earn his crust. We must remember all players go out with an injury of some degree. Ledley King couldn't even train but managed to play 90 mins for Spurs. Also, in Pep's PC today he admitted he sent out an injured KDB against Liverpool - and that is with the depth of their squad and their vastly superior reconditioning facilities to ours. And well done to Flash. I watched his interview and thought what a credit he was not only to the club but to himself. His attitude of working his bollocks off to get where he is puts the likes of Marcus "It's All About Me" Rashford to shame. Good luck bonny lad!!

[@listey]

I think that happened multiple times to Leeds too. They only got promoted in 2020 as they had a massive break due to lockdowns to recover, whereas every other season they were destroyed by the end of the season.

[@TrevorWalker-t9c]

Well said. Good to read intelligent, balanced comments

[@davidhuddart9262]

Twitter isn't a clear indication of fans view of Howe . I remember during Ashley there was times if you read twitter there was gonna be a huge backlash against Ashley . Come the Saturday a handful of fans would demonstrate outside his shop ! We can all see problems but I'm prepared to stick by Eddie and hope the majority of fans do the same . Great summary again from you Craig . Love listening to your posts , I rarely disagree with your views .

[@DavidSmith-gr9gd]

Once again a considered and professional appraisal of where we are , thanks

[@johnstephenson4711]

Are you delusional or what? PIF do not tolerate failure. This is Steve Bruce era performance but £400m down the line it simply won't do. You do not get to top in any field by being an easy going sentimentalist. Top class football is a results based business. Grow up!

[@manakara9821]

BUT SCARED TO TELL THE TRUTH THAT ALL THE PROBLEMS ARE POINTING AT HOWE.

[@searchterminatorseed2301]

If a player is carrying a knock / injury which is hampering their performance, they shouldn’t be playing regardless of who the replacement would be, simple as that.

[@listey]

The criticism of Botman recently has been horrendous. Honestly I wouldn't blame him if he said he'd have surgery done now and get himself ready for next season. The fans with a brain can see how committed he is, but it's ruined by so many idiots who are willing to pounce on every mistake. The blame lies with the people higher up who have spent a lot of money and haven't been able to build a capable enough squad.

[@brettharter143]

You'd get a shock if you knew how football is really run. Alot of them are addicted to anti inflammatory drugs and will play full seasons with injury being pumped full of painkillers.

[@Aaron_French]

Eddie seemed a bit more raw and revealing with his answers in his presser. Must be a difficult period for him right now. It's been a mostly frustrating season as a supporter, feels like it's been a solid 6 months of injuries and mitigation.

[@johnwalker5990]

If Longstaff is playing with an injury you have to ask “what’s going on” Botman is clearly not fit so why is he playing? You have to ask what else is going on? Longstaff in particular is looking lost. He is keen to get forward but dose not get back. He is too one pace, rarely tackles and is leaving gaps in the midfield. He is one of the reasons we are leaking goals. I would play Trippier in his position and Livramento RB.

[@Jules220965]

Bit sick of criticism from our fans yes we are disappointed with recent results . Do think Eddie needs to look into cause of all injuries and Medical questions need questioning too. Need to try finish best we can and look to next season

[@DanielCordone9]

Howe overworks the players in training so they're burnt out on match days. Christian Atsu stated this year's ago.

[@andrewgarrett5799]

eddie seems to be above reproach with many of our fans, he's been poor this season and thats just fact

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

​@@andrewgarrett5799 its not that easy, not black and white, forgive the pun. You have to take the circumstances into account. Its not great, its been worse, it could get better. Simple.

[@Jules220965]

Look we have had unprecedented injuries maybe that why the intensity has gone recently small squad still half Ashley Squad let’s have some perspective. Eddie himself look tired they need a break just finish as high as we can then Eddie and the board can look to what when wrong later.

[@deanharding740]

Some good points Craig; the team identity was built on intensity in all areas of the pitch and as a result of various injuries and insufficient back-up quality, they’ve lost that intensity. Eddie seems to have tried to continue with that playing philosophy but hasn’t been able to execute it and doesn’t appear to have been willing to sit in on occasion and make them difficult to beat. Who knows? It’s easy to be critical and ultimately a smart experienced guy like Eddie and his coaching staff will be analysing the situation and trying to come up with solutions and supporters should give him space to figure it all out. Improvement over time doesnt happen in a straight line so have faith.

[@mypointoftoon]

Brilliant and fair insights Craig👏🏻 It's been a brutal season for injuries, regardless of who came back after the winter period, the damage was already done to players' ability to go through rest of season. It's easy for the viewing public to go over the top with criticism, especially in a world we live in where every man, woman and their dog fancy themself as a football manager.

[@rory0949]

Great words Craig.You’re spot on,with everything you said👍

[@NUFC2412]

No excuse playing Longstaff injured!. Other options there

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Who?

[@maddiand]

Miley (has needed rest) and Anderson (not fit enough for 90) are options now but very different players to what you'd hope to get for from Longstaff (I agree that he's been way off the pace though). Willock is just finding his fitness and Bruno isn't allowed to tackle. It's just a very bad situation right now without any bite in the middle. I'm struggling a bit with Howes tactics at times but there's no perfect solution in the midfield.

[@billmoore7137]

Hall, Murphy, livramento, Miley, white, anyone of those would be a better option than longstaff.​@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109

[@andrewgarrett5799]

if the summer window is as bad as the last one and we don't see any improvement with the medical team then next season will be exactly the same with the same excuses, i think we will finish 10th

[@silvafox7719]

Utter rubbish. Stick £100 quid on your prediction. You'll be wrong!

[@tooncrier]

I'm struggling to get my head around this season, I kind of get we overachieved last season....I do wonder sometimes about our team selection, ,our setup, formations, etc. The Dan Burn Conundrum...the Lewis Hall thing, it's all a bit weird and now Longstaff who has been awful of late same as Botman, he needs to grip that and show he (Howe), is also progressing, learning and moving on......! Another good vid Craig, the presser today was an interesting one, he handled it well but was questioned on Longstaff, Botman and others very well by the pack...he's no longer in Kansas (Bournemouth....)!

[@ozzy6162]

We had a very settled team last season and that's the main difference this season - however at times I don't think Eddie has made the necessary adjustments in formation & tactics. If we can't sign the necessary players in the Summer due to PSR restrictions then this season's problems are likely to resurface next season & our progress will have stalled for 2 seasons. A much bigger new stadium is essential to substantially increase our revenue and what we're allowed to spend however that could be a few years away.

[@Macmo-cu8hm]

Good points today Craig - especially about marrying up the correct type of robust players with Eddies intensive requirements. Players like Wilson have continued to display how prone they are to recurring injuries, however there have been a lot of 'freak' injuries that simply can't be accounted for. I'd like to hear more in depth analysis of the impact of Nick Popes absence, particularly regarding the martialling of the defence, and the impact its had on our results since early December.

[@jimlocker-ws3kb]

I really feel some of fans are more than a little schizophrenic. It is either euphoria or total doom and gloom. Surely Eddie deserves plaudits for the job he has done so far. Yes his tactics and game management need improvement. Yes he is like most managers stubborn however there is no doubt his hand has been greatly limited by the one of the worst years I have known for injuries. That is not a crock it is fact, the players are knackered. I am disappointed by the form over the last few months, but Eddie needs another season to see what he can do. I know he can’t do magic with FFP restrictions and that means fans like me have to be realistic and just stay CALM!!

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Totally agree and dont understand why more people dont think like this

[@an-N-and-an-E-and-a-Wubble-U-C]

This is the transitional season last season was meant to be - what we have now as a club though is hope and light at the end of the tunnel - I see BIG changes over the next couple of seasons as we get commercial deals in place alongside key player trading. My opinion is that from the current squad Joelinton is the only player I would be desperate to keep - the rest (including Bruno) can all go for proper money

[@jasonpettitt7322]

Im travelling down for the game tomorrow. My second away trip in the last few days. Im looking forward to it but expect absolutely nothing in terms of a result. I agree with most of what you've said. My only point would be that hiding behind FFP is poor. I dont hear this line from Brighton, Bournmouth etc. Recruitment isnt just about throwing cash around and we should be capable of working in the same bracket as most of the premier league in terms of financial muscle and ability to attract talent.

[@badofcheese]

Bournemouth* It wouldn’t be relevant for them to be asked about it. They’re not backed by people who have hundreds of billions of pounds to invest.

[@jasonpettitt7322]

@@badofcheese we don't have hundreds of billions of pounds to invest.

[@badofcheese]

@@jasonpettitt7322 What are you not understanding?

[@jayc6428]

The style of play fell apart with Popes injury, not enough is said about the back line just not being able to defend in the same way with Dubz behind them.

[@djcraigf]

Hi Craig , as always great vlog Really good point on the injuries the players are carrying and prone to repetition , Hasn’t NUFC always had this issue throughout the years with hamstring injuries especially ? With the current sqaud and FFP are we really the richest club in the world ? I agree when this side is at full strength they are a match for any side But like you said who’s to say these injuries won’t return next season ? I think there has to be changes in the dressing room to take Newcastle to the next step of the journey Pop in for a Sandwich and a coffee any time Craig and Dawn at the Deli 🙌👍

[@LANDERS1978]

Great analysis Craig....I have thought for a while now that his insistence on playing 433 will finish Eddie as we no longer have the personnel for it, if the general performances don't improve from now till the end of the season I am concerned that patience from above will run thin, I don't want to be a club that's hiring a new manger every two seasons, stability is key.

[@Upthemags527]

I get that the injuries have hampered our season but what we can’t excuse is Eddie Howe’s poor decision making of late. He has other options available to him that he refuses to use to help the team - formation changes/starting lineup etc. Why are we playing Botman & Longstaff or any players if they’re injured, it beggars belief. Switch Botman with Lascelles & Miley for Lomgstaff, at least change something. You can see goals coming for whoever we play against & the same players come out for the second half every game. If Eddie would at least try and change something before its too late & we still lose at least we tried. Klopp & Pep would never just sit back & watch everything burn & thats why they’re elite managers & why Eddie isnt.

[@MarkWeir-cr5tk]

Agree Craig when was Twitter been a true barometer for anything, although on your channel words were strong after Monday but they were considered. Eddie did well today in a tough press conference. Still living with a poor summer transfer window and very poor medical team. 10/1 to win tomorrow and call me mad but I think we will get something.

[@RobBuglass-k6d]

Poor medical team ???? Are you a Doctor ? . Apart from one departure back to the NHS & one incoming it’s the same medical professionals as last year 🤦🏻‍♂️ still Eddie , still Jason etc etc . All our medics are suitably qualified . Why do I know ? Insurance , players are insured & for that to be valid they have to be treated by professional qualified people . The PFA demands it of all pro clubs . Have you read ANY reports in the papers from any player or their agent or their parents wife , goldfish etc to say their injuries at Newcastle are being mismanaged ? Nope 🤦🏻‍♂️ . If our medical people were getting it wrong & not following best practice guidelines they’d run the risk of being struck off . 🤫

[@MarkWeir-cr5tk]

@@RobBuglass-k6d no I am not a doctor but just look at the facts, every player that has returned after long lay off has been like a shadow of themselves like Botman. Murphy playing with dislocated shoulder, Botman playing two games with serious injury, Longstaff playing recently with continual injections which Eddie mentioned today. I could go on but the key decisions made and not necessarily the dare is what I was pointing at and honestly it is indefensible and not only effects our club but can effect the players long term

[@paulinechick]

Rooting for Newcastle to win, think it will be a hard game.

[@SKINDEREE]

Howe seems to be beyond criticism with a lot of people sticking up for him. As it stands we are one place better off from when Steve Bruce was in charge. The club is in freefall and there is this fiddle while Rome burns mentality among the fan base toward a manager who has been shocking this season! If we stick with this cup cake Howe beyond this season then we could find ourselves in even worse fettle than we are now with us regressing further under Eddie. His Bournemouth side regularly shipped 60 plus goals a season and now it has started at Newcastle where we are letting them in left, right and centre! Howe is already advocating to keep this shit squad together next season which would be a huge mistake, he seems to think not much business will be done. One of our biggest problems this season is Howe's overestimation of how good this squad is in the scheme of things. Howe's evolution over revolution was erroneous because it should have been the latter with that squad going as far as it possibly could last season with this dimlow thinking it was good enough to play in the UCL!

[@maddiand]

FFP / PSR mean that "revolution" is almost impossible now even with all the cash in the world. There was also a big issue with having some bad players on big money so they couldnt be shifted. It seems like it has to be a gradual process of building the squad - buying and then trading players over a number of windows. The sad fact is that players like Bruno will likely be the ones to be sold. At least the money will go straight back onto the field and not into Ashley's pocket. It can work (hopefully) but it's not quick and relies on identifying great talent early.

[@mqdaley]

Tough decisions need to be made now. Howe has to go and José Mourinho in for me. The die has been cast in his history with Sir Bobby and short term he maybe can salvage the few players that are good enough going forward.

[@DanielCordone9]

It's Eddie Howe's last game tomorrow. Roberto Mancini is on the verge of being appointed as new manager

[@ih8utoob51]

Behave yourself

[@DanielCordone9]

@@ih8utoob51 Wait and see. Only a few hours to go

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Id take odds on this not happening alllll day.

[@leswood1747]

Craig, really enjoy your reviews. I agree, difficult to be objective and see anything other than defeat at the Etihad. In relation to the issue about intensity, are we looking at this in the wrong way? Do all the injuries indicate that the strategy of high intensity for 90 minutes every game is simply not sustainable long term. There need to be other strategies within a season - even within a game. I think Eddie Howe has done an amazing job, but has this season shown his inability to have a ‘plan B’? How many games have we lost from a winning position and how many games have we won when conceding first?

[@kevinwilliams1602]

It must be obvious to everyone that the intensity of injuries is down to the high intensity in training and the high intensity on the pitch. Our players are being pushed to the extreme limit of their abilities. Now, yes we are thin on the ground regards squad depth, but that should mean a more relaxed training programme to ensure all are fit enough in numbers for matchdays?

[@estata12]

in eddie we ttrust.

[@chrisk3189]

Fully expect a defeat tomorrow, which will end our season. However I want to see a good performance, not turning this in to a training excercise for Man City.

[@PredatorNufc]

Craig howay if a player isn’t fit enough the he shouldn’t be playing end of Botmans injured so play lascelles Burn is carrying something play Targett or Hall Longstaffs injured play miley/Anderson at Chelsea Howe subbed every other midfielder off except the one who was injured and who had been rubbish all night and taking Bruno off with 10 minutes to go plus the extra time was pathetic he threw the towel in he’d accepted defeat and for me that’s unacceptable no manager especially our manager should never throw the towel in pulling Bruno off with 10 minutes to go I mean WHY even if he’d been booked he wouldn’t have missed the cup game and those 10 minutes weren’t gonna save his legs much are they fact is he’d give up and thrown the towel in fact is EH how’s team selections and in game management have been horrific lately to stubborn or to short sighted to see when it needs changing I do like EH and would love him to succeed but patience is wearing very thin now

[@davidhuddart9262]

Almost a case for playing a reserve team at city . Sounds negative but we know the outcome will almost certainly end in a heavy defeat! Problem is we dont have a reserve team !!

[@michaelfawcus1349]

I'm bewildered why Harvey Barnes was ever bought, Gordon, Willock, Joelinton and even Isak can all do a job on the left, a lot of players playing for their future with the Summer just months away.

[@foxspike]

This is probably the biggest test Howe has faced in his managerial career. My biggest issue is that he persists with a system that just doesn’t work. The players confidence is rock bottom because we’re shipping goals, we then change the way we play and comfortably beat wolves only to switch back to the system that didn’t work and got easily beaten by Chelsea (3 - 2 MASSIVELY flattered us). His insistence on not using the squad is infuriating - Dummet and Krafth’s make shift centre back partnership against Man Utd was effective so why not rotate and throw them in once in a while to let others have a break for a game? The fitness management is so shocking you wouldn’t catch even novices doing that on FM - if a player is injured they should not play. Full stop. This is just the tip of the iceberg, not even mentioning his insistence of playing his favourites- he either wises up or loses his job. The spate of current elite managers ready to step in may add to the pressure.

[@grahamsidney9214]

I think it's gonna be a long slog til the end of the season. Gonna be hard for some fans to keep the faith, seen many starting to turn on Eddie, I'm desperately hoping he can turn things around but depending on how this season finishes will determine how much time he gets at the start of next season.

[@kete3690]

My issue has always been the poor transfer window last summer. We should have signed a starting 11 LB, FWD, RW, fast RCB and holding CDM, we did non of these, I just don’t get it and I am worried about this summers transfer activity. Eddie needs to show an elite mentality and be ruthless with players that he won’t play even with injuries.

[@anderswillestofte9376]

agrede tirred of all them who defend say ggod buy for the futur, no it not good we dont has squar strong enough to do that, we ned players who is upgrade now, and not maby in 3 to 5 years, ther is 5 year problay longer becuse, of the summer window there we messe up, dint buy players to postion we ned, no LB no RW and CDM, and no striker back up, realy show nobody in recuritment, can se ther we ned players, and ther we is weak.

[@owainjones4584]

I was so surprised they didn’t buy a cb everyone knew we needed one

[@gruffy4967]

And where is all of this money coming from? Your list would not only blow last summers budget, but also the next couple of years.

[@DanielCordone9]

Eddie Howe will be sacked tomorrow night. Roberto Mancini is to be appointed as new manager

[@DanielCordone9]

Should've signed Marcus Thuram and Raphael Guerriero for free

[@Tiptoptoon]

Botman and Longstaff look way off ot Craig and your right the collective isn't there. Would like you and fellow journalists really probe Eddie and stop edging around the questions .4- 1 city sadly . I think Eddie has reached his swansong

[@tgdkls5891]

Last season intensity was our identity. Now injuries are our identity.

[@angusdrey8930]

Perhaps the two are related and too many insufficiently robust players recruited.

[@SensibleMoniker]

Attack us down our LHS and score easily, is our identity

[@johnstephenson3098]

This confirms what I have been saying all season. The playing style is the problem. Injuries and burnout are the inevitable consequence of this style. It cannot be sustained long term. Howe needs to find a plan B asap or he will not be in the dugout come August.

[@tomruddell9099]

Hopefully he’s gone before that. I’m sick of him running players into the ground

[@johnstephenson4711]

My gut tells me I don't think he will survive beyond end of the season. PIF are already looking at possible replacements.

[@givenright]

💯

[@silvafox7719]

No Tonali, no Barnes for most of the season. Spinal injuries to Burn and Anderson. We overperformed last season. End of. Howe is a great manager but you can't take that many players out of a squad and expect miracles. We've beaten Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City and PSG this season. Eddie deserves a chance with a full squad. The summer transfer window was average due to FFP. Blame Ashley for the infrastucture problems.

[@johnstephenson4711]

My original statement goes to the root of the problem. The playing style. Craig Hope said much the same thing. With Howe in charge the same problems will arise next season. A huge injury list. It's not just bad luck it's bad planning and a playing style which is not sustainable. Until that changes nothing will.

[@davidrobinson2776]

The Wolves game was a rare tactical victory for Eddie. The best teams don't require tactics, they just go out there and play. That's why we are so far off the pace in the PL. When Keegan managed us, he sent the team out to attack no matter who we faced. That's the way to disrupt the top four.

[@MogMonster87]

So are you saying Guardiola or Klopp don’t use tactics? Keegans style of football works for a season or two but then it all collapses when things aren’t going your way. Imo what we are seeing now is the consequences of Howes inflexibility and lack of game management

[@davidrobinson2776]

@@MogMonster87 I'm saying lesser teams need elaborate game plans to beat the top teams. Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool rarely change tactics, when they do it's when they play each other, they don't try and contain teams, they try to batter them.

[@montybrewster7]

I feel for eddie too craig but not as much as i feel for the fans. Particularly those who travel to away matches & should be able to rely on the same effort & energy as we saw last season. My main concern though is the summer transfer window. I think a lot of fans are hanging their hopes on a big reboot this summer & at the risk of being accused of being a miserable sod i really don't think there will be one. I'd love to be wrong but unless something miraculous happens i think the bulk of this squad will be what we have at the start of next season. Cheers as always craig.

[@liamk15]

Don’t buy that playing injured players part .If Botman has been injured then Burn or Lescelles takes his place and Tino or Hall plays LB. Longstaff has an injury but plays 90 mins against Chelsea but bruno gets subbed?

[@stephennutkin2477]

Burn is still recovering from his original shoulder injury and he landed heavily on Monday night.

[@Bereal711]

Howe has lost us so many games it’s starting to grate on me now. He comes out and says longcrap been playing with injury but plays him 90 mins when Miley and Anderson is on the bench

[@jamesmilligan2797]

This seasons sooooo massively disappointing. Most away goals conceded, PSG 4-1 feels like a dream now....& Bruce days again 😥😥

[@jededge]

we must remember we are in development , 2nd city had all the cash from day 1 and could not get it right it took 3 managers to get it right

[@rickyd4073]

Eddie has made poor decisions for 13 months… he did well to get the team to 4th place, although Liverpool would have caught us if they had started their run two weeks earlier. I want to make it clear that Eddie made mistakes before the injuries and the Tonali suspension.

[@manakara9821]

He is weak, has to have his comforter whispering in his ear, slow to make decisions, the team training is lacking, in fact all the above means,, FIND A STRONGER MANAGER.

[@stephennutkin2477]

Depending on our league position, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the likes of Botman and Co have surgery with 50% of our remaking games left. Makes total sense to have longer recovery times and plenty of hours training under their belts pre 24/25 season .

[@anderswillestofte9376]

if Botman ned opration then club run by worlds bigst idiot, should has gote it then he whas injure, but club is run poore but Murphy on injure 99% if not 100% of all fans call he ned opration and will be out for a last 1 month, but no back after around 1 week, just to last 5min then ned opration, i dont trust medical or Eddie more then it come to injures players, for not talk about Botman play whit ACL in 2 games, it scary how little doctor phys now about injures.

[@adrianbromfild8624]

Newcastle need to get a successful academy established as Liverpool are testimony to how well this works and has saved them many times this season with the injuries they’ve had

[@gruffy4967]

I am surprised that a state of the art academy and training centre hasn’t been priorities 1 and 1a. Neither are negatives for FFP, and both can help with the budget if you can get a production line of prospects to play, loan and sell.

[@andrewgarrett5799]

that academy has not produced one top player, not one, but they have done nothing to change it

[@RobBuglass-k6d]

⁠​⁠@@andrewgarrett5799 That’s bullshit , you clearly were not paying attention during the summer , new scouts appointed around the UK , one in Holland one in America / South America . Then there were the young players brought in . Irish keeper Reece Byrne , Leo Shahat , Harrison Ashby ,Kuol , Minteh , Heffernan , Trevan Sanuisi to name a few . It will take a bit of time but the club had 14 years of no investment in the youth . I’d expect more promising kids coming in this summer . There is no easy fix . Perhaps you are supporting the wrong club ?

[@andrewgarrett5799]

@@RobBuglass-k6d ashby and minteh might be decent players, hardly academy products though are they? because i have got an opinion i am supporting the wrong club? first walked into the place aged 7 in 1983 but that counts for nothing as the happy clappers think nobody can say anything about the manager, club or owners. name me one top player that academy has produced and if your answer is longstaff or dummet, don't waste your breath as we have very different opinions. and by changing the academy i meant the staff, coaches etc. go and get chelsea staff who have consistently produced players for years and made fortunes off them. instead we will keep the same set up, doing the same things and expect different results

[@RobBuglass-k6d]

@@andrewgarrett5799 Get Chelsea staff 😂 Club should get you 🤦🏻‍♂️ it’s not a dick measuring completion but I go back to being inside SJP in the early 1970’s . We’ve both seen plenty of shite ! You are aware Chelsea didn’t gobble up local lads for their youth , they travelled far and wide just like we are now doing & many many never made it . The past has gone , you can’t go back only forwards . It’s not about previous running of the youth etc . Ashby was a disillusioned West Ham youth player 7 appearances across three competitions so we gobbled him up . We aren’t ready to churn them out yet hence the incomings last summer . If you want instant kids trotting out then maybe you are at the wrong club . It’s gonna take time . Miley is doing well , his brother will take longer . From my only connection at the club the talk is Recce Byrne will save us a huge amount of money between the sticks . I live in hope .

[@tonyburn]

And yet we have Hall sitting on the bench...

[@Bereal711]

Talking pure shit Craig. If there injured dong play them

[@craighope_dailymail]

What choice does he have with Isak? Longstaff has also had to play. It was clear Miley needed to come out.

[@Bereal711]

@@craighope_dailymail he’s lost us so many games now it’s becoming the norm. Our best player against Chelsea only got a game because tripps was injured. He’s persistent on playing Dan burn who has been ripped apart all season. Longstaff should not be getting game time and especially if he’s injured 😱 and he plays him over Miley. He’s out of his depth now. Time to thank him for an amazing season last season and move on now. He will not change his 433 style. He’s to predictable and has no plan b.

[@Bereal711]

@@craighope_dailymail I could go on and on about this. How aren’t you seeing he isn’t learning from his mistakes.

[@searchterminatorseed2301]

@@craighope_dailymailbut this is the creative challenge for any manager and the price on the ticket; he has to find another player to either slot into that role or tweak the formation. As frustrating as it may be, there should be an element of enjoyment about such a challenge, as a ‘problem solver’.

[@parallaxview6770]

@@craighope_dailymailShouldve bought a striker in the summer

[@givemesomewine]

You are just an apologist for Eddie....his mistakes this season is too long to list here...

[@alanthompson3780]

yes ...and there are apologist in the other 19 clubs as well ..the only manager who gets let off is the manager that wins the premiere league ?....and even pep has been told to go by man city fans ??? unbelievable !

[@gordypattison3543]

Plastic fan

[@tgdkls5891]

It's called balanced, realistic analysis. You're not an apologist just cos you're not screaming "Howe out" six months after we all thought he was Jesus.

[@jasmineblack9778]

I thank the good Lord i was not born a Sunderland supporter,so things could be a lot worse

[@stprm2013]

we have 0% chance. we arent in fa cup as far as im concerned man city lost only 2 home games in last 2.5 years

[@PaulFranks-cx3yd]

Overtrained, hence the injuries. Why play injured players? Lascelles for Botman. Miley for Longstaff. Anderson in. Tino in. Hall in. Play 4-5-1 in defence, 4-2-3-1 in attack with the full backs bombing on. Dubravka, Tino, Schar, Lascellles, Hall (remember him?), Bruno, Miley, Murphy, Anderson, Willock, Isak.

[@danbrown5196]

physio team is to blame for me.

[@rrstows3522]

Taking games after Christmas. 😢 It relegation form sorry to say.

[@davidhuddart9262]

Totally agree with your injury views , our players are brittle and this injury crisis is probably more likely to continue .

[@liamwilsonwright4116]

For someone that should be making a mint, my office is better than that like and am not a disc jockey

[@Adamm357]

Playing Longstaff instead of Miley is nonsensical. Why would you even come out and say that you've been starting an injured player instead of a fully fit one. He's been struggling for months. There's definitely alarm bells ringing, especially when Bournemouth had an injury crisis the season he got them relegated.

[@timgill2003]

That Howe prefers to play a half fit and out of form Botman instead of a fully fit Lascelles is a slap in the face to our club captain who was magnificent in Botman's absence.

[@rogercookcouk]

Please no-one shoot me down too much. £250m for sale of Isak, Wilson, Bruno & Trips? ALL of who I rate as elite if a little brittle? Not Bruno of course!

[@grahamtowler1761]

Wilson and Trippier probably but we don't want to end up selling our best players like the past

[@rogercookcouk]

@@grahamtowler1761 I 💯 agree, it's just a hypothetical. Isak is an outstanding striker, yet is he fundamentally a bit of a sicknote? And all my hypothetical crack in line with 'kinFFP

[@grahamtowler1761]

@@rogercookcouk yes if there's any club that can be kicked in the teeth more than ours over the decades I would struggle to find them, I'm hoping I live long enough to see us win something!

[@manakara9821]

6 nil

[@parallaxview6770]

4 3 3 isnt football its running around

[@gordy3714]

Is it true Newcastle have conceded more away goals than any other club, that's unacceptable with the money spent, there is clearly a defficiancy in Eddie's management.

[@gordypattison3543]

Injuries mate.

[@nia79nia]

What money spent…?

[@tomruddell9099]

@@gordypattison3543 too simple… Have to look at the bigger picture. We were getting cut through with ease at Brighton before the injury’s Howe’s 1 dimensional style isn’t suited to the demands at the top end of the table. He’s been found out massively this season, unfortunately.

[@gordypattison3543]

@@tomruddell9099 tom. Get the last ferry to wearside.

[@tomruddell9099]

@@gordypattison3543 anyone who doesn’t worship everything Eddie does is a Mackem !!! Fans like you are so pathetic, he won’t be here forever you know… How will you cope ?

[@DELUSIONALDANNYG]

We must have the WORST journos in the country, all terrified to ask hard questions. Lee ryders are the worst like when he asks “Eddie is it a positive that willock is back from injury?“😐 pathetic!! Your questions aren’t much better to be fair craig. Why is nobody grilling him about the medical team? Why haven’t they been sacked and replaced? Howe NEEDS to go. Time for a proper manager like Hansi Flick or Nagelsmann to replace him.

[@NicholasRamm-b7q]

This time last year we had 70 points and only lost 4 games. As a manager he had the chance to sell the same players in the team that sit on the bench every week and loan Philips, neves , and maybe buy 1 or 2 fit players that have experience to come on or start a game . Time for a new manager to keep us in the champions league. Howe is too loyal to out of form players and not ruthless to sell and upgrade.

[@rickyd4073]

14 draws though… that’s way too much. Of course we were gonna lose more games this year.

[@Kratos_4th]

First

[@andymac900]

A very informative video, cheers mate, perhaps you could find time to answer a quick question that i have, ..as good as the USA tour was, was it necessary to have such high impact high energy games in the pre-season? And would you recommend we did it again? In my opinion we seemed exhausted and ragtag soon after the 5-1 premiership villa game and never seemed to really recover, important games came thick and fast as did the injuries, I really do not think that such a brutal pre-season was necessary and I think it hindered us more that helped us get match ready

[@craighope_dailymail]

A very fair point. Pre season was very competitive in the States. Far more intense than I expected. Did it contribute to subsequent injuries? Maybe. It’s worth considering and asking down the line, for sure.

[@jayaychare7318]

The high press playing style and intensity is great when you have a full squad available and able to deliver. Then have the ability to rotate and keep players fresh . This squad doesn’t have the depth of fit players. Therefore a small pool of players are used and they are one by one coming to a grinding halt , mentally and physically .

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Partly agree with this. Can see Eddie knows how to do it and make it work, but not in the long term and not with this squad.

[@RichardOliver-s7d]

Completely agree with this. If we haven't got the right players - whether due to fitness or otherwise - to play the preferred style we need to try something else. Otherwise it can be bordering on suicidal. Nobody wants Eddie to go. We want him to learn and get better and better. But he needs to take these constructive criticisms seriously. Whichever journalist quoted the 'influential twitter feed' in their question needs ignoring. A national trying to stir it up I feel.

[@jamiekirkbride3414]

Craig - why is Sven playing at 50% when we have others on the bench available. The same can be said about Longstaff - he hasn't been training properly so why isn't Miley starting. Same excuses from Eddie in recent weeks, it's frustrating.

[@Denzil1717]

Anyone with half a braincell can tell burn , longstaff and botman have been playing consistently with injuries since xmas (as bruno did for second half of last seasom). That on top of jeolinton being patched up until he completely broke down and gordon and isak also play half cooked in some games due to lack of cover. In burn and longstaffs case they have done so selflessly to cover the hole left by tonalo, protect miley and hall (who clearly isnt ready) while we wwit for people to get back fit. Now anderson and willock are back longstaff needs a rest, thats clear. And anyone saying that nick pope’s update is a setback is not well, if you lose a keeper to a dislocated shoulder in decemeber ur not seeing him again until next season its as simple as that, its not worth the risk for a couple of games at the end of the season when he can have another 2 month recovering his shoulder (which he kind of needs to be fully functional)…. Whats cost newcastle is their transfer policy and the luck / judgement associated with it. To go into this season and basically only have livramento available to play first team football on top of the squad that started the 2022/23 season (plus gordon minus maxi shelvey and wood) where top half finish and a cup run was the exepctation is besetk. Eddie and these players should be commended for doing what theyve done snd attacking every cup the way they have, not slaughtered. What happened to the “we just want a team that tries” bollocks. Short memories thats what. Ive seen two great managers leave this club too early in keegan and robson and it doesnt go well. Newcastle arent entitled to win trophies but to turn our backs on a man and squad that ah e took is from nailed on relegation to a final, two quaters and champs league group stages in 2.5 seasons would be criminal. And we would regret it big time… i actually think he half threw the chelsea game away by leaving longstaff out there and playing a certain / open way for the benefit of keeping his changes for saturday. I think we’ll see a different team and style tonight problem is we’re up against city away.

[@pennycatterick5148]

You know Craig,.....the question lies not with Eddie and the team, its with so called Newcastle supporters. I am staggered how quickly many have lost perspective to become entitled overnight;...entitled to success after one, just one, incredible season, which is obviously unsustainable. Just look at the challenge presented at Manchester City on Saturday. Look at their team and their squad and compare it with ours;...they're NOT comparable. It is going to take seasons to build-up this team up, and with FFP being what it is, Amanda and her team are going to have to be wily to find legitimate financial solutions;;;;one of which is to accelerate building of a 80k super-stadium. If. we cant generate player trading income, then it needs to come from off-pitch activity. Of one thing I am certain, that Eddie is the manager we need, Amanda is the leader we need;...now we need toon supporters to support all off-pitch activity to maximise revenue, starting with a new stadium on Leazes park or Castle Leazes. PennyXxx

[@lambertsimnel100]

Well said.

[@philipmurray7419]

A 100% fit Longstaff would not get a game for Luton yet a 70% one is getting his game for us. Honestly think that Eddie is insulting our intelligence with his politician like answers to you journalists who are frightened to ask any questions of merit. You crucified Bruce.

[@keithnicholson9100]

Bottom line is we play in tge most CORRUPT FUCKING LEAGUE IN THE WORLD. Cartel 6 can spend we cant! There must be a loophole.

[@keithnicholson9100]

Im gradually losing hope. The takeover really means nothing. We cant spend. I hope Karma comes to the big 6. In whatever severe form that is i will celebrate

[@scottpurchase-y7r]

Not a major overhaul but we definitely need improvements in a number of positions starting at left back. How can a club like ours still not have a quality left back in fact can anyone really say we’ve ever replace Jose Enrique and god that was years ago. A right sided centre back with pace is a must if we are going to play the Howe style as the pressing means you have to leave your defenders 1v1 at the back at frankly Botman and Schar are to slow and as much as I like Fab he is aging and Botman is the future. In midfield I know the club like Ederson from Atalanta but he is another box to box player, don’t we have enough of them, I feel we need a proper holding midfielder to protect the back four and allow the other two midfielders to push on. The most important position to strengthen has to be right wing, Miggy yes works his socks off but he is not good enough clearly. With him and Murphy on the right we have no quality at all and if we want to get back competing for the top 4 a top winger has to come in. In fact I would let both of those players go in the summer and bring back Yankuba Minteh as the back up to the new starter whether that be Pedro Neto or Raphiniha. Finally up top we have to replace Callum Wilson, again I’ve loved watching him but he is now never fit and the older he gets the more injuries he will pick up. If Isak is our number 1 next season then we have to go for a young up and coming striker like Benjamin Sesko. I know he is admired by a lot of clubs but if we have the ambition to be the best time to prove it. If we don’t improve these positions next season then another year of mediocre performances will happen. Teams have now worked out how we play so if we play the same style then we need better players to close the gap

[@silvafox7719]

I totally agree with you! I literally wrote the same as you in the Mag this morning. Sesko, Neto, Ramsdale. Sell Almiron, Wilson and Dubs. I like Murphy though, he may not be world beater but he works his socks off and puts in a shift every time, plus his reslae value is low. We need to get rid of Fraser, Dummett, Ritchie, Dubs, Wilson and Almiron. That'll freee up wages and squad places and allow some spending. We also have the Sela money, Adidas, and money from the CL.

[@yogihightower]

Never under estimate the medias abilty to spin things accordingly. All of you journalists went to town on bruce but make all the excuses imaginable for eddie. Bruce never had nearly half a billion and he never had us conceding this amount of goals with none of the star players eddie bought. Double standards from the written press. Whats up with that? Do the big 6 centric media want to keep us pacifed? Have some integrity and be consistent.

[@craig3420]

All we can achieve at best is 7th..and if we got 7th i would say eddie has done a very good job..no manager could have dealt with our injuries and length of them...ASWELL AS EDDIE HAS..100 % trust eddie..we get 3 or 4 gordon level players and we will be in top 4...

[@SKINDEREE]

What if Howe finishes outside the top 7, how would you assess the season after that? Do you think what he has done this season is acceptable given the money PIF have backed him with possibly finishing below Steve Bruce's final place?

[@manakara9821]

If the players aren't up to the physical demands Howe expects then either train harder and longer or downgrade the demands. OR REPLACE THE WEAK PLAYERS WITH STRONGER ONES OR REPLACE THE MANAGER. Beckham would run an 'extra' marathon after training and he never slowed down in any game.

[@alancharlton109]

We’re turning into howes bournemouth. Conceding a ridiculous amount of goals because we’re defensively useless. Having spent half a billion this is unacceptable.

[@audreyhall8644]

Klopp still winninng playing kids with several 1st team out. I think Howe is out in the summer. Been playing poor for a good while. Thats on him. Chelsea away was a death knell for him.

[@davidhughes4489]

If a player isn't fully fit, then they dont play as far as im concerned. It's a failure by management in not looking after player welfare. The squad is there for this purpose and even if the kids have play, then they play. You do not play players who are carrying an injury, what sort of message does this send to any potential incomings ?

[@porciestreethenderson202]

As soon as these injuries began appearing this season, the first thing that came to mind was that these particular players, as good as they are, are not able to handle the intensity of training that Eddie is demanding...which explains the critical drop off in form and the weird injuries we have picked up.

[@kevinstonebanks8552]

Eddie always has a answer about players not being fit players not getting enough game time, He needs to take the titted rose glasses off , the team is not playing as a group, he has his favorites , he keeps insisting on playing players who are not playing well are, longstaff and burn,

[@Henry-jp3mc]

Ask some proper questions in press conferences

[@stephenjhughes64stephenjhu26]

To much intensity in training and they need days off recovery

[@joinmeonthedarkside2]

They need a real big attempt at healing players in the summer!

[@Hustlersambiton]

Get him oot the club sorry but he needs to go now

[@jonny5alive7]

We all understand the injury situation, but it still doesn't excuse the refusal to change the playing style. We found the solution against Wolves and it's still baffling we didn't play the same way.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Chelsea arent Wolves maybe. Do you really think its that simple. Win a match and play that way forever?

[@jonny5alive7]

@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 Not forever, but if it works for the players available then yes.

[@givenright]

The only plan Howe has is to swarm and overwhelm teams. This high press / high energy style isn't sustainable. Players will burn out and injuries will always happen to an extent. Its not a successful model for long term success and its why he will eventually be replaced.

[@silvafox7719]

Bournemouth manage it. They press high and work hard and it's paying off.

[@tonymac1240]

Botman and longstaff being played carrying injuries over fit Lewis miley Elliot Anderson’s or Jamal lecelles is poor decisions in my opinion

[@silvafox7719]

Anderson has just rteurned from a spine fracture. he's not match fit yet. Miley is 17 and played 27 times this season. We simply don't have squad depth for the amount of injuries we've had. Not using Hall is a mystery though.

[@geordiedog1749]

Eddie understands the concept of milieu.

[@Nienna1837]

Given our recent performance against Chelsea, I do not have any expectation for a win tomorrow. We are just not a good team that can beat City. The overall feeling is that the season has little left to look forward to.

[@grahamtowler1761]

The results are like the season in general, hit and miss its like a car on choke gets a mile down the road seems okay then breaks down. Europe seems a long way off ,whatever happens it needs a re boot in the Summer

[@shauntaylor6040]

Pope will play if only to test his shoulder. With Howe ball you can only play 1 game a week.

[@tomruddell9099]

I’m getting really sick of Eddie. Not because of where we are or were. I just can’t overlook the endless bizarre decisions, terrible game and squad management. I’d replace now and plan for next season. Eddie will 💯 hold us back now

[@liamwilsonwright4116]

Eddie Howe has just been unlucky as have the club have been too, but questions need asked how the clubs seeming to get so many injuries. Is our medical team good enough?, how are they getting such bizarre unheard of injuries?, are players just becoming to soft ?. I don’t see us getting top 6 now as we can’t get a good run behind us with injuries, we have badly missed Tonali which is another question on his own him. Our cup run hasn’t been bad but we just need that belief that we can do it.

[@billrailton712]

We can’t have a window like last summer, which for me is where our troubles started. We needed and still do, a LB, a defensive midfielder and a striker/no 10. We didn’t get any of them! Whoever we do buy this summer has got to be an improvement on starting 11 not just squad players!

[@Hustlersambiton]

I don’t like the singling out of longstaff, other players can play just as bad and he’s first to be criticised. Honestly the stick he gets is unreal compared to other players. The whole midfield were poor against Chelsea apart from white who looked decent when he came on

[@JackBurton3963]

Well if you don’t have lethal forwards and the team has terrible ball retention… unlike Liverpool who Eddie was inspired by… it’s just not going to work is it.

[@toonarmy2798]

While I agree on some points Craig the medical Staff need to be looked at in the summer iv been very Critical of Howe theses past Few weeks but again why play players who are injured when it could potentially end their careers

[@owenrichardson1419]

Season is a right off, mid table at best. Hopefully we regroup, lose some chaff and introduce new blood in the summer.