Southampton (h)

[cg40k]

Well we came away with 3 points. Well done to the lads

[Mick]

What on earth was that??

I'm still trying to find the words.........

[GhostfaceKillah]

Longstaff was poor 11 vs 11, they all were. On the flip side, that second half from Bruno, Joelinton and Longstaff, was an unbelievable effort, they put their bodies on the line and defended like monsters. They all did to be fair, but those 3 in particular were asked so much of, and they were magnificent.

So many questions though, I was shocked at how we played 11 vs 11, we were awful. I hope it is just some strange opening game, and not something lingering behind the scenes that has transmitted onto the pitch, only time will tell, but my confidence going into Bournemouth away is low.

The stress of that game though, I feel exhausted. I am purposefully avoiding discussing the piece of shit in blue, what an utterly disgraceful refereeing display, a complete tosspot who was doing everything to make sure we didn't get the win today.

I have also always secretly admired Southampton with the way they have run the club, but I will relish in them losing this season, again, I won't speak too much of Diaz, but fingers crossed he gets a season ending injury in the coming weeks, even more enjoyable if he does so throwing himself to the ground.

[Mick]

Think I'll postpone my views until I've seen the extended highlights on Sky

[KMK]

Sadly I think that it is a case of something going on behind the scenes that is translating onto the pitch. This is what I was alluding to in my post.

The previous scenario, where Howe was involved in all the decisions that have lead to the remodelling of a facility and a football club, including the selection and recruitment of players, appears to be no longer the case under the new regime. 
According to Eales, "What we have to do is channel Eddie on to what he does best, and that is on the grass."
In other words, "We'll get the players and you get us success with what we give you."

This has clearly unsettled Howe, which I think was evident in his response when asked about being linked to the England manager's role.

A present day manager's role is about much more than what happens on the grass. To expect results without involving, meaning communicate and consult, on all aspects of how the club is run can only have one outcome. 

Worryingly this appears to echo what happened during the Keegan/Ashley era. And Keegan walked.

[GhostfaceKillah]

I think what Eales said is open for misinterpretation. Howe has said himself that he is involved in the process, it's just now he isn't the only with a vote, which I think is perfectly fair. What happened with Keegan was very different, he was lumbered with players who he hadn't even seen before, and expected to just make it work.

What you don't want is a head coach, buying players he wants, only for him to then fail/want to move on, and your club is lumbered with a bunch of players that the next head coach might not want, it was a bad idea before PSR became what it is now, and impossible now, if you want to succeed. By using the model we have now, the club have a head coach, as well as a list of other head coaches who work with similar players/play a similar style, which make transitioning to a new head coach a much easier, and much cheaper proposition. Equally they have players they want, who will work in a similar vein to the head coach, so they can draft up the names and then work through them together.

There is no way that Guehi isn't a player Howe wants, he is a target Howe and the club have identified together, he fits the mould of what the club are wanting to sign (albeit at the top end financially) and also the type of player Howe has had great success of coaching.

[KMK]

I agree with you Ghostie. However, my issue is to do with the people in these  various roles within the model and how well they can work together.
I just get the feeling that since Staveley left, there has been a redefining of roles which has unsettled the manager. 
It’s only an opinion, which I accept may be wrong and I hope I am. But only time will tell.

[Mick]

If you watch closely you can see Brereton Diaz had no intention of going down. It was only when he got up close and got a noseful of Schar's garlic breath that he was suddenly in trouble!

We've all been there

[GhostfaceKillah]

I just get the feeling that since Staveley left, there has been a redefining of roles which has unsettled the manager.

I agree KMK, I think he has been unsettled and I do think there will be a settling in period for the new regime, how will they all work together within the horrible world of PSR.

All in all I do think it is for the betterment of the club though, the Guehi situation alone is a massive lesson in why these structures matter, as I don't believe for one second, had Mitchell been in place earlier, we would be being held ransom for 70 million for what should be a 40 million pound player.

Our last two summer windows have been awful on the recruitment front, and I wouldn't have been happy to leave Howe and Nickson in charge of what happens next, as this summer has clearly shown, the scouting has been nothing short of dreadful. We need specialist scouting and recruiting, which feeds back into the comment from Darren Eales, leaving Howe to focus on what he does best.