By many accounts, Howe said "no" to sales of Wilson, Trippier and Almiron last January unless they were replaced. They just didn't need to be replaced because none of them contributed a thing to last season, and all three have continued to do **** all this season. I'm personally of the mind that Howe is mainly to blame. Similarly with Guehi; again, some have suggested that Guehi was all Howe wanted, and wouldn't entertain Mitchell's suggestions (it was heavily rumoured he wanted to beat West Ham to the loan signing of Todibo). However, as a whole, it's been a collective **** up since qualifying for the CL.
Keep to the facts, please. 1. Wilson 20 games and 9 goals. 2. Tripps 28 games, 1 goal and 10 assists. 3. Miggy 33 games, …..anyway For Wilson and Tripps they both contributed last season. Not unrealistic for EH to say they can go but need to be replaced. I’m of the mind that you have an agenda re EH. I do think EH has made mistakes and that in due course we will replace him but if Hamish paid over the odds for a sausage roll at the ground you’d find some way to blame EH.
As I've also mentioned, if Howe really does have as much power and influence as some posters would like to have us all believe, then you really have to question Mitchell's role and ability to assert himself. I've not known many head coaches dominate their DoF so much before. IF any of it is true.
Howe did have too much, which was part of the problem. I only need to point at Murphy’s 2027 contract extension to explain it.
I can see Almiron and Tripps going, but Longstaff? Nah, especially with Willock out. Wilson should have taken a retirement in Saudi in the summer.
Even if he was fit we wouldn't have sold him in Jan. Contracts up in June, no-one's gonna pay anything other than pennies when they can have him for a free in 6 months.
Hopefully for a decent price. If that frees up decent funds to supplement CB and/or RW then I'd be happy.
Is that the 6 year contract extension he had in July 2021, taking him up to July 2027? The one agreed by Bruce - before Howe joined? Look, I get that Howe had his flaws. I do. But can we keep to the factual ones, not this strange narrative that he is an all-powerful evil super villain from the Marvel Multiverse. And technically, it wasn't even Bruce anyway, as the DoF is responsible for contract negotiations, not the coach. So I'm also clearing Bruce if this too.