Sanjay Profile picture
8 Nov, 26 tweets, 12 min read
THREAD 🧵:

Eddie Howe comes to a #NUFC side who are 19th in the league and still winless. How will he set up at the Magpies, and what type of football can we expect to see? ⚫️⚪️
Howe will play a 4-4-2 of sorts, and typically employs a possession-based brand of football. There’s a clear emphasis on the defenders being able to play out from the back, and the movement of the two strikers and wingers is key in helping his sides progress the ball. #NUFC
- System

The front 2 tends to shape up as one out-and-out number 9, and the other playing as a support striker, making the system more of a 4-4-1-1. Wilson was traditionally used as the more advanced one, with King dropping in to provide a passing option between the lines. #NUFC
- Patient in possession

Overall in possession, there is a clear methodology and identity in Eddie Howe’s football. The players are coached to move for the ball in such a way that they are a passing option, while also creating space for teammates. #NUFC
The build-up approach is patient, and incisive passes are only attempted when the right option is available. It will be a big (and very positive) change from the directionless and pathetic on-the-ball approach that we had under Bruce. #NUFC
- Flexible Use of Wingers

Howe varied his profiles of wingers during his time at Bournemouth. He started with traditional wingers, with his fullbacks tucking slightly narrower in possession to provide a supporting passing option, as well as central defensive cover. #NUFC
In 19/20, he tended to use inverted wingers, who frequently sat unconventionally wide in possession, with the fullback encouraged to underlap. These underlapping runs would allow the winger to cut in the their stronger foot to either put in an in swinging cross, or shoot. #NUFC
If the wingers sat more narrowly, the FBs were encouraged to overlap to create wide overloads, where the 2 strikers provide a target to aim at in the area. The CBs sit slightly wider in possession, to help cover the space vacated by the whichever FB has pushed forward. #NUFC
- CM Combination

One of the Howe's CMs is required to play as a holding midfielder to give his side more security defensively. The role of this player is to pick up second balls and win duels, while also providing a shield for his side if Howe’s counterpress is bypassed. #NUFC
Howe either used the other midfielder as a box-to-box midfielder who leads the central counterpress, or as a deep lying playmaker who can aid Howe's patient approach - depending on the personnel, and the opposition. #NUFC
- Energetic Counterpressing

Out of possession, the key characteristic of Howe’s Bournemouth was their energetic counterpress, where they looked to win the ball back as quickly as possible. Howe’s players were clearly well-coached at this, and could cover space efficiently. #NUFC
This is illustrated by the fact that in 19/20, Howe’s Bournemouth accumulated the 4th highest amount of pressures in the attacking third in the Premier League, behind Man City, Southampton and Liverpool, with 42.1 per 90. #NUFC
However, counterpressing will inevitably lead to defensive vulnerability if it’s bypassed. This was a big weakness of Bournemouth’s, as often their two centre halves would be exposed to quick opposition counter attacks, as the gap between midfield and defence is too big. #NUFC
Given that our biggest weakness under Bruce this season was how easily our midfield was bypassed, and how big the spaces we were leaving in front of our defence were, this might be food for thought. #NUFC
- Pressing Traps

Pressing traps were a regular feature of Howe’s Bournemouth, and were used effectively to regularly win possession in good areas. The frequency and quality of these methods are a testament to the attention to detail that Howe has in training. #NUFC
- Set Pieces

Howe's attention to detail also lends itself to his ability to effectively coach set piece routines on the training ground. Look no further than this well-worked goal against us in 19/20. #NUFC
- Patchy recruitment record

His recruitment record has been hit-and-miss, with Bournemouth’s focus being on buying young, domestic players for inflated fees. A DoF and a solid scouting system might be needed to ensure we maximise our efficiency in the transfer market. #NUFC
In all honesty though, Howe's transfer history has had more successes than failures. Wilson, Fraser, Ings, Trippier and Danjuma to name a few, while Solanke and Ibe are two of the notable 'flops'. #NUFC
- Liked by players

Howe is known to be a very good man-manager, and focuses on improving individuals. He’s also very involved in training sessions and clearly is a manager who not only is tactically astute, but is also a popular figure amongst the players. #NUFC
- How would his NUFC look?

Assuming he sticks with his 4-4-1-1 system, I reckon he’d line us up something like this. I think there's enough in our squad to make his brand of football work well. #NUFC
The midfield pairing is the hardest to predict, I think Hayden will start as he’s our only holding midfielder, and it’ll come down to what profile of player Howe wants next to him to choose between Willock, Longstaff and Shelvey. #NUFC
ASM, Fraser, Ritchie and Almiron are the obvious choices out wide, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jacob Murphy get minutes on the right. He’s a hard worker, strong technically and a good crosser. He might be the type of player Howe would want there. #NUFC
- Conclusion

Our defensive issues won’t disappear, but we’ll definitely improve in possession, and Howe's arrival will give the club and the dressing room a lift. In my opinion, he’s good enough to get this side out of trouble, especially with a bit of backing in January. #NUFC
He’s got the experience to help us in our current situation, and the scope for growth and development such that he could end up being at the club for many years to come. #NUFC
All in all, Howe is a solid appointment, and certainly gets my approval. He’s strong tactically, a likeable figure for players and fans, speaks very articulately, and his achievements at Bournemouth speak volumes of his capability as a manager. #NUFC
(More than anything though, this has made me realise what a great job @Edit_Kev does to produce these every week 😅)

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