Eddie's Presser v Leverkusen
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Eddie Howe and Nick Woltemade shared the presser and there were no big surprises and in reality it was a fairly bland 30 minutes - mainly because bland is exactly what the questions were.
Eddie wasn't pushed on why we continue to concede late goals, what he thinks is the reason, and what he is doing in training to sort it out and cut it out.
He did say that in-game management needs to improve, but why one of the hacks didn't ask how he intends to do that defeats me.
I'm not asking for Eddie to be harangued in the witness box but these are the type of questions us fans would be asking if we had the chance.
No questions either on Eddie's thoughts on playing Woltemade and Wissa together, the only comment was that Wissa's time needs to be managed between training and minutes.
We are all well aware of that - but what are Eddie's plans when he is match fit?
On the match tomorrow against Leverkusen; Eddie quite rightly stated that any team that can go to the Etihad and win - as Leverkusen did 2.0 - has to be respected.
However what also has to be noticed and respected, this time in our favour, is how open and defensively poor Leverkusen were when losing 7-2 at home to PSG.
Both teams played with 10 men for roughly an hour but that still doesn't excuse some awful defending from the Bundesliga team.
I'll settle for a repeat of that performance and result tomorrow night.
Big Nick then took questions with the inevitable one being about the 'inflated fee' comments made by Bayern Munich. Nick replied he wasn't bothered and ignored them.
He also said he is doing a lot of extra work in training to cope with the physicality of the Prem, that chances are rarer than in the Bundesliga, but that he has felt part of the team and club from his first day. He came across very well and seems a cracking lad.
Nick was also asked if he'd tapped up any Geordie lasses yet, he hasn't (or so he says), and there were a couple of questions in German from local hacks.
Ich nicht sprekker Deutsch so I haven't a clue what they were about.
So, as I said at the top of the post, a fairly bland presser.
Let's hope the game is far more exciting and we get the win needed to guarantee a place in the play offs - and stay on track for automatic qualification for the knock out stage.
Last Post Will Eddie Play Woltemade & Wissa?
Is Tonali back fit Adam.
To qualify for top 8 I reckon will take at least 7 more points- 2 wins, against Leverkusen and then PSV and a draw at PSG
If we can't sort out our game management no matter who Eddie chooses we will be hard pressed to achieve those points
Looking at table barring 3 catastrophes and miracles for some of current bottom 8 we at least qualify for a 9 to 24 spot but I think momentum is as important as maybe prioritising for next PL game
Eddie always picks a side he believes can do the job and clearly that statement falls short of him always picking his best side.
Having said that I feel he will go for a…
Think Eddie is actually managing the squad as well as he can at the moment. Rotating/resting between Sandro and Bruno is very clever, as we know how important they both are to the team. So think it's very wise of Eddie to make sure neither of them is getting run into the ground too much. Bruno rested against Spurs, then Sandro against Burnley, giving Miley and others like Willock and Ramsey chances to get up to speed in the process.
Imagine we'll be seeing Sandro start tonight and at the weekend, Bruno potentially not start so he's in great shape for the derby game, then possibly start the rotation again. With Sandro rested against Fulham in the cup. Got to…
I think once Wissa is up to full fitness, we'll definitely see both him and Woltemade on the pitch at the same time. Maybe not much as starters, but with one coming off the bench to partner the other quite often.
They offer great flexibility when both on the pitch. Whilst both are most effective at center forward, we can all see how Woltemade could be useful as a second striker/10 behind Wissa, as well as Wissa himself playing wide plenty of times for club and country over the years. So lots of options for them to be fluid in the final third and give defenders lots of issues.
The reason I don't think they'll start too much together, is…
FYI
March day is very similar to match day, but with tired eyes!