Exactly this. Also Howe now has a disunited fan base. This year he has been given the whole season as the fan base was united behind him. Next season he wont. Howe's team always start slow in the PL and if that pattern continues then the fan base wont cut him that slack anymore. It's why I think he will be gone in November. The guy is stubborn, has shown no indication of identifying problems and addressing the situations, it's just plough on and hope it comes good. Willock and Murphy up top last game after £750m spent. He got lucky against Brighton. If Minteh hadn't missed the equaliser then things would be very different.This feels like a very well written summary:
To me, Howe is a bit of a one-trick pony. Whether it’s inability or unwillingness to adapt (or a combination), it’s the same approach over and over again. A team built on ageing athletes is always going to fall behind the younger, more technical sides at the top. But beyond that, our style has been figured out. Most teams we face now know exactly how to nullify us. The surprise factor is long gone.
That’s why this summer is so important. Do we finally see a shift where recruitment is driven by the club with a clear identity, or do we end up chasing more of the same profiles? The pessimist in me thinks it’ll be the latter. Howe’s nephew tasked with finding the next Dan Burn or Joelinton.
It honestly feels like our Kodak moment. Sticking with what once worked while the game moves on around us.
I'll see what the close season brings but if its more of the same of Wissa and Elanga then we are in real trouble.
Final thought: Even if Howe does have a good season next year and we get into Europe, is it going to be the same as last two times and Howe cant cope with 2 games a week as he needs that training time. Around and around we go!
