I don't think they downed tools. That feels too much. They do lack creativity, but we knew that already. The decision to have Burn follow Bowen all over the pitch, leaving massive spaces and ruining our shape killed it for us in my opinion. We couldn't then play on instinct, knowing where everyone else was as everyone was out of position to cover for Burn being at Right Midfield. I can't blame Burn for this as it was clearly an instruction. Krafth is steady but was shown up by Summerville frequently. I still want to see A. Murphy giving a game at LB and Shahar or Ashby given some minutes at RB if Trippier isn't available. Gordon lost AWB a lot but probably expected Burn or Joelinton to be somewhere behind him. Speaking of, Joelinton was completely anonymous today. I wonder if we need to be starting Ramsey over him more as Ramsey at least looked to be pushing the team forward when on the ball. Alternatively get Miley in the 6 and have Tonali as the left 8 where is runs the show for Italy (as opposed to RB, which was crazy)? Overall, West Ham played well today. they pressed us hard all over the pitch and we didn't have the guile or touch to play through the press.
Gordon's head was turned a year ago. He's been inconsistent and **** ever since the end of the season before last. Pope is a ****ing clown n all.
I'm more down with this comment than people appealing to effort. The other issue is Howe neve makes one change he makes numerous, so he learns nothing. Just change the full back ffs
Burn doesn't stick to his position ever. Today was nothing new. It's like he has a free licence to support the midfield and attackers.
As soon as a team presses us we just lose the ball, either just lump it long to them or actually get caught on the ball on the edge of our own box (bruno today was awful for it). Howe is not a possession manager and fair enough in a way because he has had success but dear me we need to start getting a BIT better at it, we are struggling with basic 10 yard passes and it just means we can't build attacks or control games. Worryingly we also seem clueless when teams sit off us aswell and asks us to break them down, we did not have a clue how to go about that in the second half. This away form really is dog ****.
See this is why I want to see Miley in the 6 with Tonali & Bruno in the 8's when we are likely to have to break down a low block. We have seen slide rule passes from Bruno to Miley in the box already this season. The willingness of Miley to pop up in the box should help us out and allow better rotation of the midfielders as all 3 can hold while the others move forwards. Where we need more energy to catch teams on the break then Ramsey should be employed and when we need to keep it tight and be physical then J7 is the man. The correct personnel for the opposition. Full back positions need to be addressed ASAP in one way or another.
On reflection, that was ****. Like really, really bad. There’s a comfort around Newcastle United. This is the issue with the manager focusing on character above drive or ability. You end up locked into playing the likes of Burn all game, or turning to people like Schar, whilst hooking huge talents like Botman and Woltemade. You end up trying to keep your happy clappers smiling which then seizes up flexibility or change. There is a ruthlessness needed Howe does not possess. Think Enrique/Donnarumma, Pep/Ederson, Fergie/Keane. We’re punching but are now being found out.
Woltemade who had barely had a touch all game and Botman who had just put the ball in his own net? If subs hadn't been people would have gone mental. We played ****, it wasn't a good game for us. It underlines the importance of getting our first choice fullbacks back, which is happening soon.
Woltemade was isolated and Botman was trying to clean up after Burn got caught out of position. Woltemade might have been leggy though. Definitely right about the full backs
Sort of knew we would get beat today. Newcastle at the moment arent really fun to watch, it's all laboured and we seem to be just getting by? Our wingers are a disaster zone at the moment, how hard is it to kick a ball past a player and sprint round them? Burn has done his best at LB but we all know he is a goal waiting to happen in that position. We need to buy a LB in January. Pope, he pulls of some great saved but there is a nervousness about the whole team when he has the ball at his feet. We need our full backs back and we need Wissa to give us something different and lighten the load on Big Nick. Hopefully this is the kick up the arse Howe and the team needed as the away form is now starting to be a cause for concern.
This bit is right, the rest of the post wasn't. Wingers are a disaster zone? It was bad today, but our front 3 is unstoppable on form.
Wissa doesn't matter thats not a fundamental issue right now, the fullbacks clearly are. Tbh we've been doing well with our them, and getting front out like today is inevitable.
Bruno had possibly his worst game for us, just getting caught on the ball all the time. Joelinton is no good against teams we should be better than, he isn't technically good enough, i'd leave him for the better teams where we need to be more solid, time to start playing Miley against your Fulhams and West Ham's..
I’d go Ramsey. I just feel Miley passes sideways and looks to do the safe things well. Honestly think we’ll give Roly his way and go 4-2-3-1 when Wissa is back.
I know what you mean, i like Miley but he seems to lack confidence in himself, when he was passing it forward he looked great, either way, time for big Joe to come out of the team against poorer opposition, as much as i love the bloke.
