AFC Bournemouth v Spurs - Saturday 12.30 pm

[AFCB_Liam]

It looks like we're been planning to press, but there's a bit of a lack of ideas when we're not nicking the ball and just attacking normally.
We left some gaping holes in front of our 18 yard box once Spurs attacked.
Our midfield needs balance it felt like we didn't have a midfield at times, least we know this has been addressed, just hoping Scott and/or Adams are good and fit in well.

Exactly this. I was expecting it might be a bit more like our 2015/16 season in the PL under Iraola with lots of clear attacking plans / patterns of play. Full backs overlapping and cutting back, triangles between the wingers and central midfield etc.

It all feels a bit chaotic at the moment and most of our positive play comes from when we do happen to pinch the ball high up the pitch.

There are then absolutely huge gaping holes left between our midfield and defence when we lose it. In the 2nd half, Spurs seemed to have the freedom of the pitch, they were waltzing through us. I thought Spurs were very decent and so possibly unfair to judge our system and tactics on that game.

Positive is that our full backs, in particular Kerkez, look to get forward more than Smith and Kelly did last season, but there didn't seem to be much of plan compared to the classic Pugh/Daniels, Ritchie/Smith or even Zemura/Anthony combos. Work on the training ground required. Speaking of Anthony, what has happened to him? Looks like a shadow of his peak and absolutely no way he should be getting in to the team ahead of Brooks. Traore was poor yesterday, but we need to get a proper look at him. It's very hard to play yourself in to form getting 20 or 30 minutes here and there.

None of this is terminal. It's early days and we have some vital players to come back in the next few weeks, but my main concern is we look a bit toothless at the moment. Our summer midfield/attack signings (Traore, Kluivert, Scott, Adams) scored about 10 goals between them last season, so we are really relying on the system getting more goals out of Solanke, Billing, Brooks etc. too given we were the 3rd lowest scorers in the league last season averaging a goal a game.

 

[MB1980]

Exactly this. I was expecting it might be a bit more like our 2015/16 season in the PL under Iraola with lots of clear attacking plans / patterns of play. Full backs overlapping and cutting back, triangles between the wingers and central midfield etc.

It all feels a bit chaotic at the moment and most of our positive play comes from when we do happen to pinch the ball high up the pitch.

There are then absolutely huge gaping holes left between our midfield and defence when we lose it. In the 2nd half, Spurs seemed to have the freedom of the pitch, they were waltzing through us. I thought Spurs were very decent and so possibly unfair to judge our system and tactics on that game.

Positive is that our full backs, in particular Kerkez, look to get forward more than Smith and Kelly did last season, but there didn't seem to be much of plan compared to the classic Pugh/Daniels, Ritchie/Smith or even Zemura/Anthony combos. Work on the training ground required. Speaking of Anthony, what has happened to him? Looks like a shadow of his peak and absolutely no way he should be getting in to the team ahead of Brooks. Traore was poor yesterday, but we need to get a proper look at him. It's very hard to play yourself in to form getting 20 or 30 minutes here and there.

None of this is terminal. It's early days and we have some vital players to come back in the next few weeks, but my main concern is we look a bit toothless at the moment. Our summer midfield/attack signings (Traore, Kluivert, Scott, Adams) scored about 10 goals between them last season, so we are really relying on the system getting more goals out of Solanke, Billing, Brooks etc. too given we were the 3rd lowest scorers in the league last season averaging a goal a game.

Still need another dmc then perhaps. Scott's OK defensively but not sure he's much better than billing/Rothwell playing as the main/lone dmc.

Actually just forgot about Cook...

 

[LewSwimmin]

Would you notice the difference if we put him in goal next week?

Possibly, but packing the goal with hay bales would be a big improvement (and one or two of the bales might try to cut out crosses occasionally)

 

[Neil Dawson]

No one in this team will get 15 goals. Solanke looks more lost than ever. His touch is heavy. Moore won't play regularly. Leaves Semenyo.

Odd to buy so many players and no goal scorer.

So many identical forwards as well. Dango, Tavs, Kluivert, Anthony, Traore, Semenyo now looking at Daka.

It’s just signing players because the ones uoh signed before are poor. Blowing someone else’s cash….

Complete lack of strategy

 

[MB1980]

So many identical forwards as well. Dango, Tavs, Kluivert, Anthony, Traore, Semenyo now looking at Daka.

It’s just signing players because the ones uoh signed before are poor. Blowing someone else’s cash….

Complete lack of strategy

They're not identical at all. Yes they're all 'wide men (boys?)' but they have different attributes, bring different strengths/weaknesses to the AI table/feast. Some are left, some right. Some can play centrally, some in a couple of positions. That's 6 players looking to occupy 3 positions. Nothing unusual about that. Even when you add Christie and Brooks into the equation. Expect a player or two to be moved on, perhaps more come January, next summer if thryre deemed not good enough or suitable for AI.

Daka in particular is not remotely like any of them. He's a one position specialist. None of the others are out and out strikers.might as well conpare Daka with Mepham (sort of...).

 

[Red_Kettle]

So many identical forwards as well. Dango, Tavs, Kluivert, Anthony, Traore, Semenyo now looking at Daka.

It’s just signing players because the ones uoh signed before are poor. Blowing someone else’s cash….

Complete lack of strategy

You've got the manager you wanted. Most clued-up neutral observers think we've made a bunch a smart signings. We've lost a couple of games that everyone expected us to lose. Does it not occur to you that it might be worth waiting at least a few months before making all these sweeping declarations about how disastrous our transfer approach has been? I mean, it's a matter of weeks since you were citing your Bristol City supporting football oracle as evidence of what a poor signing Semenyo was; a stance that's already looking pretty silly. Just give things a bit of time, and us a bit of respite.

 

[MB1980]

You've got the manager you wanted. Most clued-up neutral observers think we've made a bunch a smart signings. We've lost a couple of games that everyone expected us to lose. Does it not occur to you that it might be worth waiting at least a few months before making all these sweeping declarations about how disastrous our transfer approach has been? I mean, it's a matter of weeks since you were citing your Bristol City supporting football oracle as evidence of what a poor signing Semenyo was; a stance that's already looking pretty silly. Just give things a bit of time, and us a bit of respite.

We know it will never end.

Even once we've found our groove, there'll be something. Such as conceding too many, despite that being likely due to AI's style.

Perhaps there'll be Howe-esque era like pleas for AI to bring in additional coaches to help him.

 

[Neil Dawson]

We know it will never end.

Even once we've found our groove, there'll be something. Such as conceding too many, despite that being likely due to AI's style.

Perhaps there'll be aHowe-esque era like plea for AI to bring in additional coaches to help him.

Always amazes me how people cling to this. Assumes every side hasn’t got better or worse than last year including us. Means we’ve got to win at home to Liverpool and away at Spurs.

 

[RobTrent]

You've got the manager you wanted. Most clued-up neutral observers think we've made a bunch a smart signings. We've lost a couple of games that everyone expected us to lose. Does it not occur to you that it might be worth waiting at least a few months before making all these sweeping declarations about how disastrous our transfer approach has been? I mean, it's a matter of weeks since you were citing your Bristol City supporting football oracle as evidence of what a poor signing Semenyo was; a stance that's already looking pretty silly. Just give things a bit of time, and us a bit of respite.

Good point re Semenyo.

 

[MB1980]

Always amazes me how people cling to this. Assumes every side hasn’t got better or worse than last year including us. Means we’ve got to win at home to Liverpool and away at Spurs.

Sorry, but I have idea how you've arrived at that logical conclusion, what it mean tbh or how it effects/relates what we need to do this season.

 

[Neil Dawson]

Sorry, but I have idea how you've arrived at that logical conclusion, what it mean tbh or how it effects/relates what we need to do this season.

Was meant to be a reply to someone else not sure how it became a reply to you

 

[Neil Dawson]

We know it will never end.

Even once we've found our groove, there'll be something. Such as conceding too many, despite that being likely due to AI's style.

Perhaps there'll be Howe-esque era like pleas for AI to bring in additional coaches to help him.

Someone else that likes to think what I am going to say.

It’s simple. It ends when the 110m of signings play to their potential in a system and strategy that links managers philosophy to players that can deliver it and when we start picking up points.

 

[stanthevan]

We will start picking up points. So far we have lost to two big six teams and drawn with the team who sit top of the league. I'm not prepared to join the gloom and doom losers just yet.

 

[MB1980]

Someone else that likes to think what I am going to say.

It’s simple. It ends when the 110m of signings play to their potential in a system and strategy that links managers philosophy to players that can deliver it and when we start picking up points.

not sure why you have such a thing about that.

I'm painting a picture of what I think will happen... it may bug you, but I don't think it's an unreasonable conclusion to make, given your sheer volume of posts and opinions aired on here around the subject over the past few years.

Anyway, I apologise if it offended you, that really wasn't the intention at all.

Keep the posts coming (not thst you need my permission lol)doesn't bother me, in fact find them entertaining/interesting. Would be a duller place if we all agreed on everything!

Ps when you uploading this years new profile pic? You returned from Spain a week or so ago now iirc?

 

[Neil Dawson]

not sure why you have such a thing about that.

I'm painting a picture of what I think will happen... it may bug you, but I don't think it's an unreasonable conclusion to make, given your sheer volume of posts and opinions aired on here around the subject over the past few years.

Anyway, I apologise if it offended you, that really wasn't the intention at all.

Keep the posts coming (not thst you need my permission lol)doesn't bother me, in fact find them entertaining/interesting. Would be a duller place if we all agreed on everything!

Ps when you uploading this years new profile pic? You returned from Spain a week or so ago now iirc?

Flew into Bmth 9am yesterday. No time to photoshop anything yet. As is the vogue was out looking for a Latino wife but then the current English one put her foot down so stuck to sunbathing, swimming and drinking.

 

[MB1980]

Flew into Bmth 9am yesterday. No time to photoshop anything yet. As is the vogue was out looking for a Latino wife but then the current English one put her foot down so stuck to sunbathing, swimming and drinking.

well if you ever feel like letting your hair down, let me know. She has a fairly active social circle from Colombia in Bournemouth.

I'll send her your profile pic now actually. Will keep you posted

 

[Neil Dawson]

well if you ever feel like letting your hair down, let me know. She has a fairly active social circle from Colombia in Bournemouth.

I'll send her your profile pic now actually. Will keep you posted

There’s a fair few of us who probably had a fairly active Colombian social circle…. Although most of mine are now paranoid with dodgy tickers!!!

 

[MB1980]

There’s a fair few of us who probably had a fairly active Colombian social circle…. Although most of mine are now paranoid with dodgy tickers!!!

Indeed! Although Albanians are running the show over here now ( wonder why so many car washes are ran/owned by them?) Bought from Colombia of course, but further up tge chain in large anlunts apparently. Basically a walmart/amazon business model...

Funny thing is she's never tried it, not anti it, just doesn't trust herself once she's had a taste. But yeah she/I've heard the Colombian stereo type many a time...

Good thing tbh, going to bed after staying up all night and day is a tough one to deal with once in your 40s .

Some blokes I know/knew from the gym well into their 30/40s would still go out most Fridays, do a load of mdma, coke and shed loads of alcohol all weekend then pop a benzo (xanax) or similar to slam the brakes on/induce sleep. Not a great idea when you're our age...