Eddie’s previous record has allowed him this poor season. He won’t be here the following season is we have one as abject. We all want the same thing, be competitive all season, give the big lads in the division the odd smack in the nose and win a bit of silverware.
If he’s staying, great. But 2026/27 is different. He’ll have very little compassion (which he’s enjoyed from a large part of the support) if results falter. He’s got to come out of the blocks and maintain an assault on the top 4 at least for me.
It needs to be real. Not scraping 1-0’s at home to teams relegated at Christmas. We need to go to Anfield and the Etihad and give them a game not piss our pants soon as we get on the pitch.
Anyway, thanks for your efforts over the season, always a pleasure. Have a great summer.
It's unrealistic to expect us to be targeting top 4. We have to be 5th-8th, though, as a minimum. That is a par score position for our wage bill. I agree that Howe won't survive another season if we're lower than that, especially if the football is scrappy and ugly.
I know what you’re saying but if position in the league was always determined by wage bill, I’d honestly never go to another game.
Ferguson done it at Aberdeen, Hitzfeld at Dortmund, Ranieri and even Alonso.
By your argument, if a manager finishes the league in par to wage bill, then they’re all the same. We got 4th in EH’s first full season. Small companies can be global leaders with the right management.
We cannot go to games thinking that the wage bill is our ceiling.
Agreed. More pertinently for this season, we should expect the wage bill to be our floor, which is why the cup and CL performances weren't anything to get excited about. Easily top 16 CL wage bill, top 8 domestically means QFs = par performance. League is massively below par. In which case...
No but it has to be the starting point. We should aim to overperform of course but there are so many factors that it's unrealistic to say 'always outperform or you're out'. Lots will depend on how the other teams around us are doing, injuries, etc., not to mention pure luck, which we've been short of this year and will, I hope, be like a new signing in August 😀
Canny apetiser, Grace. Always love reading your stuff.
I was a bit suprised when Woltemade didn't start last week - I'm of the opinion that we need to at least try use him and play to his strengths - but I wasn't able to see the match live, and the higlights don't really show the whole picture.
Now that we're safe, maybe time for Ed to experiment a little more...
I also agree with this, incidentally. The highlights were pretty misleading, I thought, while I'm really not sure which match Joe Hart was watching for his summary analysis!
Certainly have enjoyed reading them, Grace:) It’s been a tempestuous season, and I’m sure the summer’s gonna be filled with talking points too, especially on transfers! I plan to enjoy it, without a match to worry about every three days!:).👏
American here: I have no idea what you're talking about when you write that we New Worlders "support whatever team [a former player is] playing for, like they do in American sports." When my favorite baseball team trades a player I adore, I don't follow his new team. I cuss out my team's owners, shed countless tears, and continue following my team. If you have some evidence of the sort of thing happening that you allege, please let me know, but I cannot imagine where you got such a foolish notion.
Otherwise, thank you for this piece and your many others this season. You're a fine, insightful writer, and--with this hiccup aside--I always appreciate your perspective.
Great stuff as ever, Grace.
Eddie’s previous record has allowed him this poor season. He won’t be here the following season is we have one as abject. We all want the same thing, be competitive all season, give the big lads in the division the odd smack in the nose and win a bit of silverware.
If he’s staying, great. But 2026/27 is different. He’ll have very little compassion (which he’s enjoyed from a large part of the support) if results falter. He’s got to come out of the blocks and maintain an assault on the top 4 at least for me.
It needs to be real. Not scraping 1-0’s at home to teams relegated at Christmas. We need to go to Anfield and the Etihad and give them a game not piss our pants soon as we get on the pitch.
Anyway, thanks for your efforts over the season, always a pleasure. Have a great summer.
Agreed on all points, Mik!
Didn't say a word! 🤣🤣🤣
Sorry!!! Agree on all points, Mark! Close...
It's unrealistic to expect us to be targeting top 4. We have to be 5th-8th, though, as a minimum. That is a par score position for our wage bill. I agree that Howe won't survive another season if we're lower than that, especially if the football is scrappy and ugly.
I know what you’re saying but if position in the league was always determined by wage bill, I’d honestly never go to another game.
Ferguson done it at Aberdeen, Hitzfeld at Dortmund, Ranieri and even Alonso.
By your argument, if a manager finishes the league in par to wage bill, then they’re all the same. We got 4th in EH’s first full season. Small companies can be global leaders with the right management.
We cannot go to games thinking that the wage bill is our ceiling.
Agreed. More pertinently for this season, we should expect the wage bill to be our floor, which is why the cup and CL performances weren't anything to get excited about. Easily top 16 CL wage bill, top 8 domestically means QFs = par performance. League is massively below par. In which case...
No but it has to be the starting point. We should aim to overperform of course but there are so many factors that it's unrealistic to say 'always outperform or you're out'. Lots will depend on how the other teams around us are doing, injuries, etc., not to mention pure luck, which we've been short of this year and will, I hope, be like a new signing in August 😀
Yes, luck (bad or good) can have a massive influence. Hope you’re right and it’s on our side the entire season.
Canny apetiser, Grace. Always love reading your stuff.
I was a bit suprised when Woltemade didn't start last week - I'm of the opinion that we need to at least try use him and play to his strengths - but I wasn't able to see the match live, and the higlights don't really show the whole picture.
Now that we're safe, maybe time for Ed to experiment a little more...
HTL
I also agree with this, incidentally. The highlights were pretty misleading, I thought, while I'm really not sure which match Joe Hart was watching for his summary analysis!
Thanks Grace. Almost with you but I think people were more annoyed with the omission of Hall than Nick.
BDB had a great game but we all know he's not a LB don't we?
Anyway Eddie says the aim is to win the last 3 so let's do it.
Possibly 9 teams into Europe and we probably won't be one of them. Tragic.
Nice one Grace, stay on the team!
Certainly have enjoyed reading them, Grace:) It’s been a tempestuous season, and I’m sure the summer’s gonna be filled with talking points too, especially on transfers! I plan to enjoy it, without a match to worry about every three days!:).👏
Thanks for the writeups Grace. I've enjoyed reading your takes.
2-1? Sold! 🙂
American here: I have no idea what you're talking about when you write that we New Worlders "support whatever team [a former player is] playing for, like they do in American sports." When my favorite baseball team trades a player I adore, I don't follow his new team. I cuss out my team's owners, shed countless tears, and continue following my team. If you have some evidence of the sort of thing happening that you allege, please let me know, but I cannot imagine where you got such a foolish notion.
Otherwise, thank you for this piece and your many others this season. You're a fine, insightful writer, and--with this hiccup aside--I always appreciate your perspective.
Great piece Grace, you summed up my feelings on Elliot Anderson perfectly. Roll on next season I can’t wait to be optimistic again!!!