Battling Bournemouth hold their own against Baggie bruisers

Waz afcb

Fans' Favourite
So here we are, a new season and a new era. The first test for Parker and his back room team could hardly have been any tougher, an opening day encounter against a recently relegated West Brom side full of top flight experience and Championship nous in equal measure. Led by a man in Ismael, who’s relentless philosophy of non stop pressing and playing direct at every opportunity was enough to even secure a pretty average Barnsley side a spot in the top six last season. Given that the youthful cherries side lined up with no less than THREE players making their full league debuts, you could have been forgiven for thinking that the nous and know how the Baggies possessed would surely prove overwhelming for the home side and top the balance firmly in their favour. The Cherries lined up in Parker’s preferred 4-1-4-1 formation, with Zemura coming in at left back to replace the injured Stacey, and Parker opting with the more experienced head of Chris Mepham to partner Lloyd Kelly at the heart of the back four. That aside it was the same side who started last weeks convincing cup victory against the MK Dons. The bench looked worryingly threadbare, with Stanislas picking up an unfortunate (yet entirely predictable) knock in the warm up, we were left without a single senior player to call upon from the dugout. Still, a (nearly) packed Dean Court was buzzing none the less in the build up to kick off, with fans undoubtedly just glad to be present watching the team they live in the flesh once again. Hopefully the youthful cherries could do them proud.

The game started in a frantic fashion and in truth never really deviated from this, both sides hassling and harrying at every opportunity and pressing with a level of intensity that at times felt exhausting just to watch. The home side slightly edged the opening stages, with the very impressive Gavin Kilkenny running the show in the middle of the park, retrieving possession on numerous occasions and allowing the home side to build a period of semi sustained pressure. Bournemouth capitalised on their positive start in very impressive fashion. Kilkenny was again involved as the ball was worked out wide to the young Anthony via Phil Billing. One on one with his full back, one could have forgiven the inexperienced wide man for looking to take him on and go for individual glory. Fortunately, with a piece of play that defied his lack of experience in senior football, Anthony looked up and played a sumptuous cut back to new summer recruit Marcondes, who had made an expertly undetected late run into the penalty area. The Dane made no mistake as he confidently stroked home with his left foot to put the home side on cloud nine. One could argue a deserved early lead for the bravery and intent shown by the home side. Bournemouth were knocking the ball around nicely in these early stages, with the classy Kilkenny particularly catching the eye. A player who is tailor made for this style of football perhaps.

As the half wore on West Brom gradually began to gain a foothold in the game, their direct approach resulting in a long period of sustained pressure which culminated in the home side having to stand firm resolutely defend a number of set pieces. Long throw after long throw, corner after corner. In truth it felt like the youthful home side could only hold out for so long, and despite their best battling efforts, this proved to be the case. Another long throw (I’d lost count at this point) was headed away and out to the impressive Townsend, the energetic wing back set himself and whipped in a peach of a cross to the on rushing O’Shea, who subsequently (and unsurprisingly) out jumped the tiny figure of Zemura to plant home a header past the despairing dive of Travers and into the centre of the home sides net. The Baggies were back on level terms and in truth it was probably just about deserved on the balance of play. My first inclination was that perhaps Travers should have done better, but header being very central, but I’d have to re watch to be sure. The rest of the half played out with the baggies firmly in the ascendancy and the home side hanging on, the constant barrage of set pieces and long balls at every opportunity starting to take its toll. In the main this did not result in too many notable goal scoring opportunities, although we were lucky to be level going in at the break with the away side having a goal ruled out somewhat fortuitously from our perspective. An in swinging corner was whipped in right on top of the home keeper Travers, who at this point had clearly been pinpointed as a vulnerable area of the home sides rear guard to exploit. With a cluster of bodies in close proximity, the young goal keeper unconvincingly flapped at the delivery, the ball sailing over his head and being bundled home by an away attacker at the far post. Fortunately for Bournemouth, the referees whistle immediately put a halt to the away sides celebrations, deeming the inexperienced number 42 to have been impeded in the process of trying to claim the ball. One of those decisions which makes you question whether goal keepers are an overprotected species, but music to the ears of the home faithful never the less. This was enough to see the Cherries into the interval on level terms.

The second half started off in much the same vein as the first, with the home side quick out of the blocks and in the ascendancy in the opening minutes. We again were able to capitalise on this with yet another well worked team goal. A lovely cross field diagonal ball from Kelly found the willing runner Jaidon Anthony, the young winger took the ball under his spell and played a quite sublime reverse pass into the underlapping Zemura. A pass played with perfect precision and timing, and one that frankly didn’t really look on. Zemura took the ball in his stride and smashed the ball across goal, the away keeper Button (yes that one) only able to palm the ball back into the danger area. Well I suppose he owed us one after the debacle that was Lincoln away. The onrushing Billing was not going to pass up such an inviting invitation, and he confidently struck the ball home with his weaker foot to put the home side back into the lead. And quite chuffed about it he looked indeed, certainly not resembling the demeanour of a player who is keen for a move away. The home side subsequently enjoyed a promising period of pressure on the recently relegated sides goal, although this unfortunately didn’t result in any additional clear goal scoring chances. As the second half wore on it started to mutate into a carbon copy of the first. The baggies gradually took control and another sustained siege upon Travers’ goal ensued. The cherries valiant attempts to hold out were again broken as a ball played in from the left was confidently finished by the stretching Robinson to again but the home side on level terms, and again it felt like it was coming. Your money would of had to have been on the away side to snatch the points now with the momentum in their favour, however the pattern of play didn’t necessarily play out like this. Both sides had chances to win it, but the better ones arguably fell to the youthful cherries side. A lovely ball whipped in by the towering Dane Billing was met on the full volley by the otherwise quiet Brooks, his shot look destined for the bottom corner but was thwarted by a fantastic reflex save from Button. Then later on a ball over the top found Solanke bearing down on goal at a slight angle, Button making himself big and again preventing the home side from retaking the lead. Button proving that he is indeed capable of occasionally posing as a semi capable goal keeper after all. The half concluded with yet another barrage of set pieces on the home sides goal, although the inexperienced cherries side help firm and were able to hold out for a very respectable point. All in all a very good days work considering the contrast in experience between the two sides, a day where you could feel proud to be a cherry yet again!

Verdict and ratings to follow
 
Good report, Just watched the goals back, don’t think Travers can do much for the first goal personally, if anything it’s our age old problem of letting balls come into the box too easily - can’t cut them all out though. Travers reminds me of when De Gea first arrived, obviously an instinctive shot stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet but easily bullied if you get bodies around him. Time for Soupafletch to earn his salary by personally participating in some specialised training?

The subtlety of that ball from Anthony to Zemura for our second goal is a really beautiful thing, as is the team spirit that seems to be building.

First game of the season is always a tough one, but given the introduction of the youngsters in the starting XI with no senior players on the bench against an almost full strength relegated side and favourites for promotion I think it’s a good result and there is an awful lot to be positive about.
 
Thanks Waz. Great to be back at a league match. Thought Kilkenny was the pick of the youngsters - has a touch of class about him.
 
Kilkenny has a great range of passes I’ll give him that. Reads the play well too, physically as the shield in front of that back four we did look shaky.

Thought Anthony was excellent, turn of pace and that pass for Zemura... :love:
 
Annoyingly I couldn't go but great report to give me clarity on the match. Sounds like lots of reasons to be positive bearing in mind who wasn't playing or even signed yet.


Yes but apparently Monmouth, we're not signing anyone else according to a few of the 'in the know' oracle's on here because according to them we haven't got a pot to p1ss in.

Great isn't it, after that display & result with the team we had out & take into account the opposition, I thought this MB would only be positive but I should know better by now!

Some on here would rather concentrate & moan about a misplaced pass from Kilkenny, than talk about all the good stuff he & the rest of the team did last night!
 
So here we are, a new season and a new era. The first test for Parker and his back room team could hardly have been any tougher, an opening day encounter against a recently relegated West Brom side full of top flight experience and Championship nous in equal measure. Led by a man in Ismael, who’s relentless philosophy of non stop pressing and playing direct at every opportunity was enough to even secure a pretty average Barnsley side a spot in the top six last season. Given that the youthful cherries side lined up with no less than THREE players making their full league debuts, you could have been forgiven for thinking that the nous and know how the Baggies possessed would surely prove overwhelming for the home side and top the balance firmly in their favour. The Cherries lined up in Parker’s preferred 4-1-4-1 formation, with Zemura coming in at left back to replace the injured Stacey, and Parker opting with the more experienced head of Chris Mepham to partner Lloyd Kelly at the heart of the back four. That aside it was the same side who started last weeks convincing cup victory against the MK Dons. The bench looked worryingly threadbare, with Stanislas picking up an unfortunate (yet entirely predictable) knock in the warm up, we were left without a single senior player to call upon from the dugout. Still, a (nearly) packed Dean Court was buzzing none the less in the build up to kick off, with fans undoubtedly just glad to be present watching the team they live in the flesh once again. Hopefully the youthful cherries could do them proud.

The game started in a frantic fashion and in truth never really deviated from this, both sides hassling and harrying at every opportunity and pressing with a level of intensity that at times felt exhausting just to watch. The home side slightly edged the opening stages, with the very impressive Gavin Kilkenny running the show in the middle of the park, retrieving possession on numerous occasions and allowing the home side to build a period of semi sustained pressure. Bournemouth capitalised on their positive start in very impressive fashion. Kilkenny was again involved as the ball was worked out wide to the young Anthony via Phil Billing. One on one with his full back, one could have forgiven the inexperienced wide man for looking to take him on and go for individual glory. Fortunately, with a piece of play that defied his lack of experience in senior football, Anthony looked up and played a sumptuous cut back to new summer recruit Marcondes, who had made an expertly undetected late run into the penalty area. The Dane made no mistake as he confidently stroked home with his left foot to put the home side on cloud nine. One could argue a deserved early lead for the bravery and intent shown by the home side. Bournemouth were knocking the ball around nicely in these early stages, with the classy Kilkenny particularly catching the eye. A player who is tailor made for this style of football perhaps.

As the half wore on West Brom gradually began to gain a foothold in the game, their direct approach resulting in a long period of sustained pressure which culminated in the home side having to stand firm resolutely defend a number of set pieces. Long throw after long throw, corner after corner. In truth it felt like the youthful home side could only hold out for so long, and despite their best battling efforts, this proved to be the case. Another long throw (I’d lost count at this point) was headed away and out to the impressive Townsend, the energetic wing back set himself and whipped in a peach of a cross to the on rushing O’Shea, who subsequently (and unsurprisingly) out jumped the tiny figure of Zemura to plant home a header past the despairing dive of Travers and into the centre of the home sides net. The Baggies were back on level terms and in truth it was probably just about deserved on the balance of play. My first inclination was that perhaps Travers should have done better, but header being very central, but I’d have to re watch to be sure. The rest of the half played out with the baggies firmly in the ascendancy and the home side hanging on, the constant barrage of set pieces and long balls at every opportunity starting to take its toll. In the main this did not result in too many notable goal scoring opportunities, although we were lucky to be level going in at the break with the away side having a goal ruled out somewhat fortuitously from our perspective. An in swinging corner was whipped in right on top of the home keeper Travers, who at this point had clearly been pinpointed as a vulnerable area of the home sides rear guard to exploit. With a cluster of bodies in close proximity, the young goal keeper unconvincingly flapped at the delivery, the ball sailing over his head and being bundled home by an away attacker at the far post. Fortunately for Bournemouth, the referees whistle immediately put a halt to the away sides celebrations, deeming the inexperienced number 42 to have been impeded in the process of trying to claim the ball. One of those decisions which makes you question whether goal keepers are an overprotected species, but music to the ears of the home faithful never the less. This was enough to see the Cherries into the interval on level terms.

The second half started off in much the same vein as the first, with the home side quick out of the blocks and in the ascendancy in the opening minutes. We again were able to capitalise on this with yet another well worked team goal. A lovely cross field diagonal ball from Kelly found the willing runner Jaidon Anthony, the young winger took the ball under his spell and played a quite sublime reverse pass into the underlapping Zemura. A pass played with perfect precision and timing, and one that frankly didn’t really look on. Zemura took the ball in his stride and smashed the ball across goal, the away keeper Button (yes that one) only able to palm the ball back into the danger area. Well I suppose he owed us one after the debacle that was Lincoln away. The onrushing Billing was not going to pass up such an inviting invitation, and he confidently struck the ball home with his weaker foot to put the home side back into the lead. And quite chuffed about it he looked indeed, certainly not resembling the demeanour of a player who is keen for a move away. The home side subsequently enjoyed a promising period of pressure on the recently relegated sides goal, although this unfortunately didn’t result in any additional clear goal scoring chances. As the second half wore on it started to mutate into a carbon copy of the first. The baggies gradually took control and another sustained siege upon Travers’ goal ensued. The cherries valiant attempts to hold out were again broken as a ball played in from the left was confidently finished by the stretching Robinson to again but the home side on level terms, and again it felt like it was coming. Your money would of had to have been on the away side to snatch the points now with the momentum in their favour, however the pattern of play didn’t necessarily play out like this. Both sides had chances to win it, but the better ones arguably fell to the youthful cherries side. A lovely ball whipped in by the towering Dane Billing was met on the full volley by the otherwise quiet Brooks, his shot look destined for the bottom corner but was thwarted by a fantastic reflex save from Button. Then later on a ball over the top found Solanke bearing down on goal at a slight angle, Button making himself big and again preventing the home side from retaking the lead. Button proving that he is indeed capable of occasionally posing as a semi capable goal keeper after all. The half concluded with yet another barrage of set pieces on the home sides goal, although the inexperienced cherries side help firm and were able to hold out for a very respectable point. All in all a very good days work considering the contrast in experience between the two sides, a day where you could feel proud to be a cherry yet again!

Verdict and ratings to follow

great effort on the report!

I think the last line sums up well / proud to see the team give their all
 
Player ratings
Travers- 5 has all the attributes to be a top goal keeper in the future, but isn’t ready to be starting at this level yet. Looked very vulnerable whenever the ball was played into the penalty area, there were a number of occasions in which our back line really could have done with him relieving a bit of pressure by coming out and clearing everything before him. Was very lucky that the referee incorrectly disallowed the goal in the first half, as he appeared to collide with Billing and hit the deck. Currently not able to command his area well enough to be first choice.
Zemura- 7 very promising display considering it was his first ever league start. Always provided an outlet going forward and a lovely underlapping run for the second goal. Was a bit worried about him defensively but he stood up to the test in that department. Was beaten at the far post for the first goal but it’s hard to be critical of him for this as he can’t help the fact that he’s about four foot tall. He was quite rash with some of his defending at times but often his pace allowed him to recover the situation.
Smith- 6 looked a bit vulnerable defensively early on but grew into the game. Always up and down and some nice underlapping runs to link up with Brooks. Solid but unspectacular display.
Kelly- 7.5 took on a leadership role and looked very composed throughout. The ideal centre back to be playing when you want your back four to hold a high line. Did however lose his man for the second goal, a tad harsh perhaps to highlight in an otherwise faultless performance.
Mepham- 7 pretty solid. Did the basics well. Cleared his lines when he had to, battled for everything and made a couple of nice interceptions. Can do a job at this level when he focuses on the basics of defending.
Kilkenny- 8 in patches put in the complete midfielders performance. Excellent range of passing, exceptional work rate and retrieved possession on numerous occasions. Was unable to sustain it for the entire game but it was his first league start against probably the toughest opponent he could face at this level, so let’s cut him some slack for that. At times plays like a senior pro, very classy on the ball.
Billing- 7 although not his most impactful game on the ball, he did play an important role in pulling opposition players out of position and creating space for his team mates. Involved in both goals and played a peach of a cross that nearly led to a third. Seems to really be enjoying his football, work rate was spot on.
Marcondes- 7.5 I get the feeling this guy is going to be huge for us this season. He has that knack of perfectly timing his late runs into the penalty area, as demonstrated by the goal. Always felt like something would happen when he was on the ball in and around the area. Used the ball well and made some very intelligent runs, looks like a top signing.
Brooks- 6 the least effective if the attacking quintet. Best work came when threading passes through to the underlapping smith. Was not able to impact the game as he would have liked but was still very unlucky not to get in the scoresheet. More to come from him I hope.
Anthony- 7.5 a very intriguing player. Most young wide players will look to take on their full back at any given opportunity, for Anthony his natural inclination is to try and find a team mate. A lovely intelligent cut back for the first goal and a truly sublime reverse ball to JZ in the build up to the second. His ability to spot a pass and weight it perfectly at the right time really is quite impressive. He can make a big impact this season.
Solanke- 6.5 battled manfully against three giant centre backs. Provided a threat in behind and brought others into play nicely at times. Lovely skill in the build up to the Brooks chance (although the ball did quite clearly go out of play) and had a decent effort to win it when played through on the angle. A decent showing.
 
Yes but apparently Monmouth, we're not signing anyone else according to a few of the 'in the know' oracle's on here because according to them we haven't got a pot to p1ss in.

Great isn't it, after that display & result with the team we had out & take into account the opposition, I thought this MB would only be positive but I should know better by now!

Some on here would rather concentrate & moan about a misplaced pass from Kilkenny, than talk about all the good stuff he & the rest of the team did last night!
You can see on the match thread how the tone changed. Players making their debuts, against a very strong team, were being criticised after 20 minutes!
 
I really enjoyed that. Wasn't as defensive as I had feared after reading Fulham fan. Some lovely football, back meeting friends again, and just a great night.

Settling down to watch a rerun now!
I thought it was a great game to watch. I thought we put in a great team effort against a side that will be up the top end at the end of the season. Excellent performance from an inexperienced side. proud of the lads.
 
We got a fair bit of entertainment for the first match with general admission in nearly a year and a half. No-one could claim it was dull, even if it didn't go all our own way.

There is plenty of promise that a Scott Parker side, including a clutch of youngsters, will do well this season.
 
A good night's entertainment. If nothing else Bournemouth fans appreciate effort and we like to see football last night gave us that against a very physical and much more experience team.

It was also good to hear the early applause for Mepham when he had some nice touches. Brentford is in the past. Young Kilkenny also had lots of applause but for me the standout performance was Antony closely followed by a good captain's performance by Kelly at the grand old age of 22 (I think).
 
Don't think we'll be having many no score draws this season!

Classic Bournemouth, looked great going forward at times conjuring lovely attacks all of a sudden from nothing too, but every cross into the box having us biting our nails.

Youngsters did well and they'll only get better with game time. Hoping Travers starts going to claim crosses more even if he doesn't make them all. If he grabs a few takes the pressure off the defense the opposition will stop lumping the ball in all the time giving him the problem in the first place.

Happy to take a point, lots of positives and with players coming back from suspension and injury it should only get better.
 

;