Bournemouth 2 United 2 - report

[Deadbat]

It was a point on the South Coast for the Blades at Bournemouth as United bounced back from the embarrassing evening at the Lane on Monday night and moved off the bottom of the Premier League table! However, after leading 2-0 with just over a quarter an hour to play, it ultimately ended up being a disappointing end to the afternoon after what seemed like an unlikely victory would result. Goals from Gus Hamer and Jack Robinson, against the run of play, looked set to give United a remarkable victory but two Bournemouth substitutions, Ouattara and Unal, gave the Cherries a point. The second goal came in stoppage time continuing United’s abject record to close out games with so many goals being conceded late on. The Blades at least showed much more resolve and fight and did carry a threat up the field but once again conceded possession cheaply and ended up penned in their own third for long stages of the game.



Manager Wilder made four changes from the latest humbling with Ahmedhozic, Souza, Norwood and McAtee coming out of the team. In came Baldock, Osborn, Brereton Diaz and for his first Premier League start, youngster Arblaster. Bournemouth had steadily moved away from the bottom and were now comfortable in mid table. They would be once again looking to danger man Solanke but had a number of dangerous offensive options to worry the visitors.



The game started with a chance at either end as Christie had a shot straight at Grbic but at the other end, Brereton Diaz had an even better opportunity as he drove in on the angle but his shot lacked power and Neto saved his effort.



Robinson then blocked a long-range effort but Grbic was less decisive in his second involvement in the game as Solanke appeared to outjump him and the Croatian tried to take the ball shoulder height and it bounced off the striker and out for a goal kick. Bournemouth then got down the left and pulled the ball back but Tavernier had a complete air shot at the ball.



Kerkez then was booked for an over zealous tackle on Davies before the home side then broke after a Robinson long throw and Osborn hauled down Kluivert whose pace got him away from the United player. More ill discipline came soon after as the home side had a great chance to lead on 14 minutes.



It came from a clever set play routine where the ball was played back to Solanke but Davies in his haste to deny a possible chance went through the back of the striker. The replayed showed he did get some of the ball but he went through the man to make it and left his feet. It was another clumsy and ridiculous challenge considering United’s current predicament. After VAR saw no reason to overrule, Solanke took the penalty but it was a disastrous attempt from the Cherries leading scorer as his feet gave way and he kicked it from one foot to the other and miles over the bar! It was a real let off for the Blades.



Brereton Diaz was taken down by Smith soon after leading to another yellow card but Hamer wasted the free kick. Bournemouth took another clever dead ball and it fell for Semenyo but he fired over. Lovely football saw the ball then moved across the field and it was Semenyo having the effort again but Grbic helped it over the bar.



The home side were now in total control and moving it around crisply as United’s competitive start now seemed a long time ago as the ball was remaining largely in the visiting half. Grbic then made a decent save from Semenyo’s powerful shot as his one-man crusade to get the opening goal continued.



However, despite the control and threat they were enjoying, the first goal went to the visitors! It started as they picked the ball up in their own half and Hamer took it on and played in McBurnie. The striker came across field and played it back to Hamer despite being challenged. The midfielder played it on to Bogle who hit a fierce angled drive that Neto could only push out and HAMER came in and smashed the ball high into the net.



Bournemouth tried to instantly respond and Christie’s run and step over, found him space but his drive went into the side netting. Hamer was the first United player to be booked for a lazy and unnecessary pull back and after getting in front, the last thing Wilder would have wanted is for the Blades to keep giving the ball away but this was happening with frequency.



Christie’s cross was dangerous and Semenyo’s header was saved well again by Grbic and the keeper had to be alert to come off his line to deny the home team as the ball hit his chest rather than his hand. It had been an impressive game, his best yet, for the stopper who had made several key saves to preserve the lead.



Christie fired over as the pressure continued but McBurnie and Brereton Diaz were doing well to hold the ball up and one such move saw them link well and it led to a throw. Robinson’s delivery was flicked on by Davies and Neto had to help it over and United won two successive corners on the back of this.



Just before half time McBurnie had a great chance but his header lacked power and there was still time for Tavernier to pull back and Kerkoz fired a shot that Grbic did well to parry again.



Both teams made changes at the break with Davies off for Souza and Outtara replaced Kerkez. The second half began scrappily and United would have been happy with that – McBurnie was holding the ball up well but was also being fouled a number of times – with no decisions going in his favour.



Christie fired another over the bar and then Trusty did well to deny Solanke and allow the ball to go out before Arblaster tried to release Brereton Diaz but Neto came out in the same way that Grbic did towards the end of the first half. It was a much more even second half and McBurnie and Brereton Diaz’s hold up was keeping United up the field and allowing the defence a breather. McBurnie had a curled effort over the bar before two successive theatrical falls from the home team were rightly waved away.



After being baulked, tripped, and held, McBurnie was then booked for an errant arm on an opponent- which seemed incredibly harsh. There were more changes as Kluivert and Tavernier departed to be replaced by Sinisterra and Unal. Arblaster had been growing into the game and his driving run saw him fire goalwars and Neto had to push behind leading to a corner.



From this delivery, Neto made a mess of it and punched the ball against his own man Solanke and it bounced across for ROBINSON to hook the ball goalwards. It glanced off the post and across the line and as Neto looked to scoop out, the reaction from the Blades players suggested it had clearly crossed the line and sure enough, a check of Anthony Taylor’s watch revealed it was a goal and United were two up!



The reaction from the home side was instant as the ball came in and was not cleared and then was helped back across and as Robinson looked to clear it bounced off Solanke and he fired home. Fortunately for the Blades, the ridiculous hand ball rule meant that despite the ball being fired at the striker from such close proximity, it was ruled out after a lengthy check for both a handball and an offside!



McBurnie and Bogle came off for Ahmedhodzic and McAtee as the game entered the final 20 minutes. United were now struggling to keep the ball or even get out of their own half and Sinisterra was proving a real threat and Baldock was struggling with his pace and direct running. The substitute whizzed an effort in that glanced Trusty’s head and went over before Brereton Diaz at least got United out for a period but his cross was wayward. Grbic was booked for timewasting but the home team were now really increasing the pressure and the arrears were reduced on 74 minutes.



McAtee gave it away cheaply and the ball was moved forward and eventually out for a corner. The delivery was good but no one went with Ouattara and he headed home completely unmarked. Grbic maybe should have also come out as the ball was headed in from only a few yards but the marking was really poor.



Billing and Scott came on for Smith and Christie and the home side sensed that the turnaround would be completed due to the wave after wave of pressure that was coming in. Another corner was not dealt with and it bounced off a defender and into Grbic’s hands as the keeper remained on his line again. It was one way traffic and United were really hanging on now. Brereton Diaz had ran his race and he and Arblaster, were replaced by Osula and Norwood.



Ouattara nearly got a head on another chance as Grbic came and then went back, as the keeper’s second half was not as impressive as his first half. The Blades were completely pinned back and Osula finally bought some time before Norwood was booked for timewasting. Billing had an effort straight at Grbic as the game moved towards the end of regulation time. There were to be 8 minutes of additional time, not a surprise as United had really slowed things down in an attempt to see out the game but the visitors could not hang on. The equaliser came when the ball came in from Scott’s corner and the ball was cleared off the line from Norwood, but it was played to the back post and Osborn lost his man and UNAL diverted the ball into the corner. It was a crushing blow but with still time left, United’s fans would be wondering if they would go from three points, to one point to nothing – as this has happened before this season.



Sinisterra’s dribbling skills had been a feature of the comeback and his run and shot was narrowly wide before Billing had a shot over the bar. It was defence v attack and it was only a matter if Bournemouth could complete the turnaround as they were knocking on the door. Ahemedhodzic and Robinson got tackles in and the ball was cleared down the field to Osula and the final whistle went and United had at least got a point to stop the rot. The Blades were off the bottom too which had not happened for a long, long time!

 

[Deadbat]

United – Weird one as we get a draw and any point we get these days is welcome as most games we lose and many we get hammered! So, to take a draw on the road at a side in mid table is of course a good result and before the game we all would have taken that, especially after Monday night. We were far more competitive and at least had a better structure, were not walked through, and seemed more determined not to be a soft touch. We carried more of a threat up the field with McBurnie and BBD doing really well at times with limited service and had a few decent moves when we did get forward. Arblaster did well too on his debut and for 45 minutes we saw the keeper have his best game. We scored two goals and had other decent moments too.



However, the negatives are that we still were too easy to get through and the opponent had 70% possession and 32 shots. I think if they had their shooting boots on, we would have lost and by quite a bit. Grbic made some decent saves but first half they could have been a few goals ahead long before we scored on the break. They missed the penalty of course after another daft tackle. Outside of this we constantly gave the ball away again and then defensively we just sit off, do not go with runners and stand off players constantly. The number of unopposed crosses and shots is remarkable. The players look terrified to engage as they know if they go past them they could be in on goal so now just seem to stand off but that of course leads to free shots coming in almost constantly. We did lead but it was undeserved, albeit a decent break and goal. We at least were offering something and then after the break we had a much better spell and it was more even and we get a second. We then have around 25 minutes and stoppage time but we seemed to instantly sit back. They could have got one back straight away but they were just upped it, made positive substitutions (we did not - partly due to the players going off being not fully fit to last and us having really poor options in comparison to them). It seemed like they would score and it was just a matter of how long we could hold out but it was not long really. After this we made more changes but these further set the course of the game in that we were just kicking it away and defending. We did not try to get our or up the field and resorted to timewasting and just hoping to see it out. It was never going to happen and sure enough they get a leveller. The game goes on a bit longer and we would lose. The home team just ran out of time. We looked completely dead on our feet. Again. That was with 5 subs too! Bournemouth were just running through us by the end and it became like most other games and you just hoped we would get something, anything and at least we did and can move off the bottom! It is odd as at the end you are sort of glad to get a point and get something but also we did not really deserve anything from the game in terms of the stats/the patterns of play and I just thought it looked a bit desperate to see us once again trying to see out a game. Our record in the final stages of games is appalling due to the players having no belief, composure, or bottle to see out games – this is of course coupled with them being knackered by the hour mark as they have chased the other teams around for so long and have nothing left to give. We cannot keep the ball even to start games and cheaply give it away meaning we then have to run around to try and stem the tide.



I will try and not be too negative as we did not lose and scored two away and despite being pegged back and another late goal, we saw some improvements from the keeper (still some worrying signs) and a few had better games than they have had in recent months. Arblaster also showed some real promise. We are off the bottom at least and the focus will be on Burnley as being the laughing stock (assuming they cannot get anything tomorrow). We have three weeks off now but hopefully this time will be used on further looking at planning for next season. Changes in terms of the new training ground, a new chief scout to come in and a new commercial director also to be appointed are promising but there needs to be firm plans on the field in terms of who we may keep/resign and then also who we can bring in. We know the division we will be in, so this break (which you rarely get) has to be used. Heard Wilder will be meeting the Prince in the next week also, so assuming he will stay (I wondered if they might part ways with the contract break put in) then they have to get down to planning these important decisions now.



Ratings:



Grbic 6/10 – A game of two halves but still a weird one to assess. He was really good first half and made 4 or 5 good saves. Most I would expect him to save but a lot of those have been going in against him! He made a few smart saves from reaction shots and also came off his line to save well (that might have gone wrong). Did have one moment where he punched the ball against Solanke and was lucky as he was outjumped and tried to take it from his shoulder! However, he played well in those first 45 minutes. Second half he did not make as many saves but his indecision and inability to get off his line on crosses meant we got deeper and deeper. We became vulnerable on set plays (we have all season so not just on Grbic) but the balls were going right into his six-yard box and he remained rooted to his line. The first goal I think he should come for – bad marking granted but goes in from a few yards! They had 2 or 3 others after this that he stayed at home and they nearly scored and even the equaliser – maybe I am being harsh – but the original ball could he come and take? I am still not convinced by him at all and he does not fill me with confidence with his general play or his shot stopping but at least he made some saves today! Most of the saves you would expect I suppose but he made quite a lot. Some will say he was awful and some will say he was decent. I think he made some good saves but was also stuck on his line and should have done more on one of the two goals (first for me). As I say I do not see him as our long term keeping solution on the evidence so far though.



Bogle 5/10 – Bit of a mixed bag again. He did get forward a bit at the start but lacks the power/pace to really go past people – like he did at the lower level. Defensively he is way off his man again and does not get tight enough to stop crosses or the ball coming in. He seems to just let the winger have time to either run at him or pick out a cross. Second half he did a bit better and ironically after he went off, they did better down this side but Sinisterra only came on 5 minutes before he went off.



Baldock 6/10 – Started the game quite well and was nice and steady in a right centre back position but then I felt we as a unit gave them too much time and they often just came off this side and crosses or had a shot. He was much better here though than when he went to right wing back as Anel and him were less solid than Bogle and Baldock – the sub have him a torrid time and went past him quite a few times and easily could have had a few goals. Looked rusty and struggling the longer the game went on – after a better start.



Trusty 6/10 – Improved from the week in the sense that he did a few bits of defending quite well with some blocks, headers and challenges that saw off the attacker. He was at least able to get tighter to his man at times but even he started to get deeper and deeper and the defence could not get out at all. He was ok but miles better than he has been – so have to be balanced.



Robinson 6.5/10 – Scored a goal and his throws helped us stay up the field. His defending was sometimes good, with some solid blocks and tackles and he was one of the few who got tighter to his respective opponent in the first hour. The final part of the game felt he got a bit ragged and the disallowed goal he was too deep and botched his clearance. The final goals also came from set plays as no one dominated to win the key headers/challenges.



Osborn 5.5/10 – Steady enough without being amazing. Got run past once when he fetched down Kluivert but facing some fast and tricky players, he kept his discipline. As the game became more stretched we were unable to stop the number of crosses and balls coming in but they seemed to attack more down the left towards the end of the game. Bad mistake at the end as he loses his man and concentration at a vital time.



Arblaster 6.5/10 – Solid debut. Nice and tidy and used it well when he could. Started quietly and had to sort of grow into it but then played a few nice balls forward or picked off some loose balls and helped us move up the field. One decent ball to BBD he nearly got and then the run and shot which led to the corner we scored from. Tired as the game went on of course but a promising debut.



Davies 4/10 – He was certainly busy as he looked to make an impact but some poor tackles at times as he looked a bit too keen to impress. He may have got some on the ball on the penalty but sadly they get given now, when you go through people and any contact with either leg/body will see a foul given. In that sense, for an experienced professional, it was a stupid tackle. He did some ok things but then was careless with the ball at times too. Flicked header over on half time but then went off – I am assuming another injury? Poor signing in that he is never fit at all and cannot last a full game.



Hamer 6/10 – Scored the goal which he was involved in throughout with his good run and pass and then involved again before getting on the rebound. He took a few decent corners today too. He also played some balls that nearly got the front two in. He does not do enough without the ball and I also thought after an encouraging first half hour, he regressed quite a bit and was one of the players who gave it away a fair bit and tried to play it forward too much at times. Second half I barely noticed him as we were just trying to hang on. He is woefully unfit and needs to really improve his conditioning as he could barely get out of a walk in the final stages.



Brereton Diaz 7/10 – Played well even if he tired and could not last the pace. He held it up, linked well with others and ran the channels. He offered an outlet we have not had and really made a difference in getting us up the pitch (a bit) and giving us chances (some). Maybe could have done better with the chance early on but he did offer that ball and hold up play we have not seen. He did not offer much after the hour mark and was out on his feet by the time he went off.



McBurnie 7/10 – As above. Thought both him and BDD worked really hard and tried to keep it and link with each other or others. He got fouled a fair bit, hardly any given and he was always looking to retain possession. Could have done better with one header and then had an ok effort curled over but thought he played much better than the week and at least was mobile and looking to hold the ball and play others in. The best spell we had was 45-60 after the break when he and BBD caused problems with intelligent and purposeful play when the ball came up to them. We really noticed after he went off the difference as the ball just came back, time after time. We also struggled on corners as his presence was badly missed.



Subs –



Souza 4/10 – Thought he was poor when he came on and did not improve on Davies at all. We probably hoped he would get stuck in, cut out the little passes and be a protector in front of the defence. The commentators were panning him for his lack of energy and not picking up runners. I had to agree. He had a few good games a month or so ago, but I am still not sure what he is? He is not really an intimidator, rarely wins tackles/big headers and does not cover hardly any ground. I still think, despite improving initially under Wilder, he is a bit of an imposter. I hope someone will give us our money back when we go down as not sure in the hurly, burly Championship we will see how his game translates (whatever his game is?). Really disappointed with all the subs today so not just on him.



Ahmedhodzic 5/10 – Thought that Bournemouth we really turning the screw the last 20 minutes but he did come on around this stage! Maybe the whole team were tiring but he should have been fresher but they attacked at will down his and Baldock’s side. Rightly dropped (although Wilder said he had been carrying a knock – suggesting why he did not start?) and not sure he did enough as he came on and we threw away a two-goal lead! Another who ball watches on set plays and never seems to attack the ball.



McAtee 2/10 – Thought he was woeful when he came on. He gave the ball away cheaply (led to the corner and the first goal) and looked for free kicks and fell down weakly. Did not get us up the field and then defensively player ran off him. Some remarked it looked like we had 10 men to end the game but with him and Hamer (who was completely exhausted) offering nothing- it was more like 9!



Norwood – Another that should give us fresh legs but looks heavier legged than those who have played 80 minutes! He just kicked it away when he had it but mostly was just running in quick sand versus mobile and powerful opponents. The notion he is an experienced old head that could help us see out games is not even an argument as he cannot run and is careless with the ball. Brooks would have been a better option as at least can run.



Osula – Came on with BBD done and he did hold it up once and get a free kick but the difference in us being not being able to hold it up was clear as it came back even more (already was doing). He looked a bit headless chicken but at this stage we were just defending but he has to be at least a nuisance or an outlet. He was neither really.





Manager: Wilder 6/10 – The draw stops the bad run of games and after Monday, at least gave him and us some respectability. He made some changes and gave Arblaster a chance and dropped two in Souza and Ahmedhodzic, who he clearly identified as two who had not paid attention to the basics in the week (tracking back, running and marking). Trusty survived but more because we had no one else I suppose. The performance at least saw us in the game in terms of score and also taking it right to the end but we were still second best for long spells. I did think first half the shape and formation seemed to at least have us more competitive but they were still having lots of shots and poorer finishing/choices kept them from winning long before we did score. After the break we did better for a spell and got a second and you wanted us to push on in terms of keeping the ball and frustrating them but conceded instantly (disallowed in the end) and never looked like seeing it out. You sensed it was just a case of when they would score and after the second, I was surprised we held on.



We looked knackered and after chasing the ball for such long spells, we could not keep them out. I applaud him for us being more disciplined in approach and also we did carry a threat going forward for an hour but after we went 2-0 up, it was as if we just sat back and hoped to see it out for effectively 35 minutes. I thought the subs were poor but will defend him that the players that went off were knackered but every sub made us worse (Davies for Souza about the same). Maybe he should have left one or both of McBurnie/BBD for 5 more minutes, as even tired, they still kept it a bit or bought a foul? Losing McBurnie from corners made us so susceptible and we concede both from these – I reckon McBurnie would have been right where the lad headed in on the first! Putting Baldock to right wing back made us worse but maybe the threat of the lad on the right would have still been there regardless but Anel inside seemed to make the defence a lot more nervous. In the end, we are hanging on for a point and look a bit desperate after we really should have gone on to win. The fact we chase the ball for so long means we have nothing left in our legs and just see waves of attack coming in. It is a hard watch to see us trying defend a lead or a draw. I do not like our approach but maybe it is just because the players cannot keep the ball so cannot even try and move up the field but the final half hour not sure we kept it for more than two passes so inevitable the opponent will get chances and eventually score. We are so ultra defensive, we must be awful to watch. However, we are just defending as we are not good enough to keep it and try and attack more.

 

[Deadbat]

Bournemouth – They have really surprised me as I had them pegged as a team that might go down this season but after an uncertain start, they have moved away and done well. The new manager seems to have found his feet and had some surprising results. Will not be in the relegation picture at all (of course helped by the ineptitude of the three promoted teams – Luton less so of course). Solanke is a goal threat who has improved year in year – shame Brewster who came the same route via Liverpool, has not done the same and they have signed a number of good, young players who will keep improving. They have a decent squad and showed today the difference with the players they could bring on, compared to us. Whether they can maintain it with the teams going being replaced by better teams (three that came down last time might come up) is debatable and feel they will always be looking over their shoulder but having crowds of 11,000 ish means they will always struggle to push on, even with a wealthy owner.



Today they moved it around nicely and had lots of chances but poor finishing or the final ball was off. They had so much possession and so many efforts but despite Grbic playing well, not sure they had lots of sitters. They had all the ball though and at times it was just very easy but maybe they sort of ran out of ideas. The defending they showed on the two goals was poor – the sort of goals we have been conceding! A better team than us would have just saw the game out but the changes really helped them and two subs scored and one other, Sinisterra was a real threat. In the end, they will be glad not to have been embarrassed to lose to the bottom team but also annoyed to drop two points, even if they did fight back. They had enough play, chances, and territory to have won the game. Not sure that can be argued but they too made poor mistakes at both ends.



Opponent Man of the Match – Thought Christie and Semenyo were constant threats first half and had a number of shots on and off goal. The subs of course both scored but Sinisterra was a huge difference maker and his running and dribbling caused us all sort of problems. To make a 20 minutes sub man of the match might be a stretch maybe – so I might go Semenyo – even though he did not score.



Opponent Weak link – Solanke had a woeful penalty and a goal disallowed but the keeper was poor on both goals – he pushes the first centrally into Hamer’s path and then on the second he punches it into his own man, so Neto bags this award.



Referee/Officials – Anthony Taylor. Too involved. 8 bookings which is ridiculous! Not sure how. Do not think there was a really bad foul all game? The ones by Kerkez and McBurnie looked far worse at the time and not sure either were a booking. A number of other soft ones too I felt. The rest of the game I felt a fair few 50-50’s he gave for them but maybe that is just with my United hat on. I did think McBurnie was given nothing all game and BBD was also baulked a fair bit too. He seemed to wave them away but gave lesser contact the other way. They also tried to con the ref with two blatant theatrical dives for the penalties 2nd half. The one first half, Davies does get the ball but these days they get given if you go through your man. It was a stupid tackle regardless! The goal they had disallowed I thought was harsh – but that is more the rules that are the problem. No idea what he is meant to do and is hit at him by our man and he is right next to it. I knew it would be disallowed as of course any handball that leads directly to a goal is chalked off but the rule is bonkers really.

 

[Barmyblade]

A few observations from the stats:

• Hamer made 5 key passes (out of 8 made by the team in total), as well as twice as many interceptions as any other player, 5 crosses and 3 shots.
• Arbaster again had the highest pass completion rate (and i loved his run which lead to the second goal)
• Trusty made 12 clearances, far more than any other defender, and blocked three shots
• McBurnie won 8 aerial duels (next best 3), and his absence in our penalty area in the last 20 mins was critical.

 

[Keen Blade]

Taking McBurnie off when you are defending a lead and have Dracula in goal is just stupid

 

[Paisley Blade]

Arblaster plus .5 and Bogle minus 1 and I'd agree with those marks.

Wish there was a way we could keep Diaz next season but unfortunately I can't see one.

 

[Addison]

It was an improvement on the aberration we endured Monday night. Some of the changes were enforced. Anel only able to play for 20 minutes. Bogle travelled down to the game this morning after his partner gave birth. Davies coming off was tactical as he could only last 60 minutes and more legs and strength were needed in the middle said the manager. Compounded by the fact Norwood came on instead of Brooks for the last 15!! Its this inconsistency in decision making that frustrates.

This seasons problem hasn't gone away. Our inability to deal with balls in the air at the back down the left hand side. It cost 2 points when the footballing gods for once were doing us some favours. Grbic is like any other foreign keeper coached not to come off his line. Liverpool said it took 12 months to coach it out of Alisson so its a problem we have to work around at the moment. It would help if we had defenders who were strong in the air but we don't. Thats down to poor recruitment. Worrall over Holgate any day of the week.

Player conditioning was also a factor in points lost. CW alluded to post match. Its a problem we've had for over 2 years. We are still trying to get to the bottom of it despite promises of independent reviews! CW inherited this and the fault lies elsewhere but the meeting next week with PA should have this as number 1 on the agenda resulting in solutions discussed in the public domain.

Agree Baldock looks rusty but he's still our best defender on the pitch currently imo and has been out for a while. Playing for Greece the next few weeks may be beneficial in getting him back up to speed. Bogle continues to be an enigma. Constantly losing his man yet a threat going forward as he showed for our first goal. He is a winger capable of playing right side midfield and we should acknowledge this rather than persevere with him at the back.

We got a point and are off the bottom if only for 24 hours. Some green shoots of recovery and 3 weeks to get players fit. Only 4 more points needed to get past the lowest records of Sunderland (15), Uddersfield (16) and Villa (17). Onto Fulham.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Generous points for Wilder, the subs he made were very ineffective and cost us a win. Whether Norwood starts a game or comes on when we are 2-0 up are both pointless decisions.

 

[Melton Blade]

Thanks for the report again, DB.

Your mark for Bogle & other criticism of him fails to take account of his large part in the first goal. A long supporting run up from RWB and strong shot towards bottom corner. When do we ever pose any threat from LWB??

Answer is... We don't.

UTB

 

[Roygbiv]

Dreadbat

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Heard Wilder will be meeting the Prince in the next week also, so assuming he will stay (I wondered if they might part ways with the contract break put in) then they have to get down to planning these important decisions now.

That's an optimistic view, we all know we will be fucking about at the fag end of August trying to sort deals out, remember you get the best deals at the end of the window. If the player signs for one year so he's in the last year of his deal he will also play better.

 

[blader]

Ah interesting view on Davies as I have seen a lot of love for him on social media which didn’t match up with what I saw. I’m more inclined to agree with your view but it appears to be a minority as many thought he was really good!

Not great overall but at least we didn’t get panned again. In a 15 minute period I went from ‘we actually deserve to win this one’ to ‘thank f*** we got out of there with a point’.

This club, man.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Agree with most of your summary DB ,
But think your being incredibly lenient on our goalkeeper, yes he saved what he should have , but for his size he bottles coming for a cross and in my view is no better than what we had ( Wes ) he doesn’t fill me with any confidence at all , maybe it’s what’s in front of him that’s making him nervous, but for me the jury is still out
Trusty had a decent if underwhelming game I still think there’s work to be done but he’s a bit of a Nyron in my book , I won’t go all in on the lad as Jack & Egan weren’t great at the start of their careers with us either , but he does need to improve
Bogle going forward is ok but he’s brutal at the back constantly drifting away from his man it’s no coincidence that everything good from them came in the second half down that wing thank god GB was beside him
Run around Ben did what he does run around a lot , but like most of our players isn’t good enough but can’t fault his effort and I won’t
Souza-Norwood ( did he get booked )-Osla - Macker - Anel
From 1 of our big money signings ( for us ) our main loan and some of our better -older squad members offered nothing and did nothing
Osla’s young and raw so he’s plenty of time to come good
The overwhelming bright spark was Ollie made some good runs his shot for the corner that lead to the second was good for someone of his age
We don’t have the depth of squad but we all knew that from the start of the season
If offered a point before game I’d have taken it
We got a point
If at the end of the season if we could pick who we choose to sell
Anel - Souza and with Archer going back that would be who I’d sell

 

[Revolution]

I’m sorry, but the idea that Grbic should have come for the first goal stands up to no serious scrutiny. Keepers do catch corners but they don’t come out there to do it. Ashley Williams, who knows what he’s talking about in this area, got it exactly right. BBD and McAtee did not do their jobs, and about 5 defenders, notably Osborn, didn’t do theirs for the second.

I was pleased with Wilder generally yesterday because of the bounce back from monday’s debacle but as will as bringing Norwood on (which I have commented on elsewhere) he went down a little in my estimation re Davies. He admitted that Davies could probably have done an hour. He should have given him that yesterday as we have 3 weeks to the next game and bringing on Souza earlier than necessary was playing right into their hands.

And I think people are missing the point about Davies. Whatever you thought of his display, he was in amongst it. Souza is a peripheral figure at best. Davies was better yesterday.

Re the penalty, I am stunned that both commentators I’ve seen describing it thought it was stonewall from the only angle shown as Davies clearly gets the ball. Went through the back of him I suppose.

 

[Deadbat]

I’m sorry, but the idea that Grbic should have come for the first goal stands up to no serious scrutiny. Keepers do catch corners but they don’t come out there to do it. Ashley Williams, who knows what he’s talking about in this area, got it exactly right. BBD and McAtee did not do their jobs, and about 5 defenders, notably Osborn, didn’t do theirs for the second.

I was pleased with Wilder generally yesterday because of the bounce back from monday’s debacle but as will as bringing Norwood on (which I have commented on elsewhere) he went down a little in my estimation re Davies. He admitted that Davies could probably have done an hour. He should have given him that yesterday as we have 3 weeks to the next game and bringing on Souza earlier than necessary was playing right into their hands.

And I think people are missing the point about Davies. Whatever you thought of his display, he was in amongst it. Souza is a peripheral figure at best. Davies was better yesterday.

Re the penalty, I am stunned that both commentators I’ve seen describing it thought it was stonewall from the only angle shown as Davies clearly gets the ball. Went through the back of him I suppose.

It's stonewall as he goes through the back of him. VAR check was very quick. Moronic challenge

Thought BOTH Davies and Souza were poor. Another team that had 30+ shots where nobody protects the defence or is closing down space. Granted others were guilty but the defence, as bad as it has been, is not shielded or protected at all. The likes of Hamer and McAtee never get back to help defending out wide either. The wing backs are poor and never stop crosses but we also never stop the balls going out wide or central. In short teams get through us too easy.

 

[Revolution]

It's stonewall as he goes through the back of him. VAR check was very quick. Moronic challenge

Thought BOTH Davies and Souza were poor. Another team that had 30+ shots where nobody protects the defence or is closing down space. Granted others were guilty but the defence, as bad as it has been, is not shielded or protected at all. The likes of Hamer and McAtee never get back to help defending out wide either. The wing backs are poor and never stop crosses but we also never stop the balls going out wide or central. In short teams get through us too easy.

All of that is true but Davies was appreciably better than Souza. He helped get us forward, for one thing.

We retreated and let them come. As Bergen said elsewhere, it never works. Souza coming on was a big part of that and Norwood coming on sealed our fate.

 

[Deadbat]

All of that is true but Davies was appreciably better than Souza. He helped get us forward, for one thing.

We retreated and let them come. As Bergen said elsewhere, it never works. Souza coming on was a big part of that and Norwood coming on sealed our fate.

We retreated as we were knackered in my opinion as we had none of the ball all game.

Bournemouth had as many shots (more I think) 1st half than 2nd half. I thought our best spell was the 10 mins after HT weirdly. This was the only even part of the game. Don't think that was because if the sub though.

You are right, the Norwood sub hindered an even more immobile midfield as Souza was terribly ineffective but not sure Davies was much better. He gave the ball away quite a bit,gave away a stupid penalty and other than the flicked header not sure I saw him offer much at all. He may have run about a bit but the shots continued to rain in at us all half.

Another player that can't stay fit either and another awful signing.

The business made this season going back to last summer was abysmal with a series of players signed that are woefully out of their depth (Slimane, Trusty, Traore, Larouci, Thomas, Grbic) injured/unfit (Archer, Davies, BBD or can't run/keep up for 90 mins (Hamer in the latter category).

Hamer, McAtee and Souza have had the odd good game but the latter two can't even make the starting line up now.

No wonder the chief scout has moved on. Complete snd utter waste if the little money we had and there probably will be about 1 or 2 players left from the 12 signed when we start next season.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

The business made this season going back to last summer was abysmal with a series of players signed that are woefully out of their depth (Slimane, Trusty, Traore, Larouci, Thomas, Grbic) injured/unfit (Archer, Davies, BBD or can't run/keep up for 90 mins (Hamer in the latter category).

I agree almost whole heartedly on this point
Although maybe Trusty can improve
He was voted Birminghams player of the season last season, maybe that’s his level ( championship ) , bit like Anel for us last season
Archer exspensive loan but get some money back at end of season is he even bothered about turning out for us now ?!
Davis , BBD neither before coming to us played regular first team football so it’s understandable but not totally excusable why there fitness levels aren’t 100%
But we signed some woefully inexperienced and incompetent at this level Ballers

 

[bakeblade]

I’m sorry, but the idea that Grbic should have come for the first goal stands up to no serious scrutiny. Keepers do catch corners but they don’t come out there to do it. Ashley Williams, who knows what he’s talking about in this area, got it exactly right. BBD and McAtee did not do their jobs, and about 5 defenders, notably Osborn, didn’t do theirs for the second.

I was pleased with Wilder generally yesterday because of the bounce back from monday’s debacle but as will as bringing Norwood on (which I have commented on elsewhere) he went down a little in my estimation re Davies. He admitted that Davies could probably have done an hour. He should have given him that yesterday as we have 3 weeks to the next game and bringing on Souza earlier than necessary was playing right into their hands.

And I think people are missing the point about Davies. Whatever you thought of his display, he was in amongst it. Souza is a peripheral figure at best. Davies was better yesterday.

Re the penalty, I am stunned that both commentators I’ve seen describing it thought it was stonewall from the only angle shown as Davies clearly gets the ball. Went through the back of him I suppose.

Agree on their first goal, it was not the keeper's ball to come for - The blame lies with McAtee and BBD.
It looked like a physical mismatch with McAtee, however macca is actually taller than the scorer!
I'm afraid it's what you get with young, inexperienced players.

 

[bakeblade]

I agree almost whole heartedly on this point
Although maybe Trusty can improve
He was voted Birminghams player of the season last season, maybe that’s his level ( championship ) , bit like Anel for us last season
Archer exspensive loan but get some money back at end of season is he even bothered about turning out for us now ?!
Davis , BBD neither before coming to us played regular first team football so it’s understandable but not totally excusable why there fitness levels aren’t 100%
But we signed some woefully inexperienced and incompetent at this level Ballers

I reckon Trusty will be fine next season, he's limited but I like his fight and application.
Hopefully we can get some decent money for Anel and wave him goodbye.

 

[TJ blade]

I reckon Trusty will be fine next season, he's limited but I like his fight and application.
Hopefully we can get some decent money for Anel and wave him goodbye.

It's just a pity he couldn't catch a sloth.

 

[bakeblade]

It's just a pity he couldn't catch a sloth.

Pace is important in the prem, less so in the champ

 

[originaltrueblade]

It was an improvement on the aberration we endured Monday night. Some of the changes were enforced. Anel only able to play for 20 minutes. Bogle travelled down to the game this morning after his partner gave birth. Davies coming off was tactical as he could only last 60 minutes and more legs and strength were needed in the middle said the manager. Compounded by the fact Norwood came on instead of Brooks for the last 15!! Its this inconsistency in decision making that frustrates.

This seasons problem hasn't gone away. Our inability to deal with balls in the air at the back down the left hand side. It cost 2 points when the footballing gods for once were doing us some favours. Grbic is like any other foreign keeper coached not to come off his line. Liverpool said it took 12 months to coach it out of Alisson so its a problem we have to work around at the moment. It would help if we had defenders who were strong in the air but we don't. Thats down to poor recruitment. Worrall over Holgate any day of the week.

Player conditioning was also a factor in points lost. CW alluded to post match. Its a problem we've had for over 2 years. We are still trying to get to the bottom of it despite promises of independent reviews! CW inherited this and the fault lies elsewhere but the meeting next week with PA should have this as number 1 on the agenda resulting in solutions discussed in the public domain.

Agree Baldock looks rusty but he's still our best defender on the pitch currently imo and has been out for a while. Playing for Greece the next few weeks may be beneficial in getting him back up to speed. Bogle continues to be an enigma. Constantly losing his man yet a threat going forward as he showed for our first goal. He is a winger capable of playing right side midfield and we should acknowledge this rather than persevere with him at the back.

We got a point and are off the bottom if only for 24 hours. Some green shoots of recovery and 3 weeks to get players fit. Only 4 more points needed to get past the lowest records of Sunderland (15), Uddersfield (16) and Villa (17). Onto Fulham.

.

 

[originaltrueblade]

We retreated as we were knackered in my opinion as we had none of the ball all game.

Bournemouth had as many shots (more I think) 1st half than 2nd half. I thought our best spell was the 10 mins after HT weirdly. This was the only even part of the game. Don't think that was because if the sub though.

You are right, the Norwood sub hindered an even more immobile midfield as Souza was terribly ineffective but not sure Davies was much better. He gave the ball away quite a bit,gave away a stupid penalty and other than the flicked header not sure I saw him offer much at all. He may have run about a bit but the shots continued to rain in at us all half.

Another player that can't stay fit either and another awful signing.

The business made this season going back to last summer was abysmal with a series of players signed that are woefully out of their depth (Slimane, Trusty, Traore, Larouci, Thomas, Grbic) injured/unfit (Archer, Davies, BBD or can't run/keep up for 90 mins (Hamer in the latter category).

Hamer, McAtee and Souza have had the odd good game but the latter two can't even make the starting line up now.

No wonder the chief scout has moved on. Complete snd utter waste if the little money we had and there probably will be about 1 or 2 players left from the 12 signed when we start next season.

.

 

[originaltrueblade]

Bournemouth – They have really surprised me as I had them pegged as a team that might go down this season but after an uncertain start, they have moved away and done well. The new manager seems to have found his feet and had some surprising results. Will not be in the relegation picture at all (of course helped by the ineptitude of the three promoted teams – Luton less so of course). Solanke is a goal threat who has improved year in year – shame Brewster who came the same route via Liverpool, has not done the same and they have signed a number of good, young players who will keep improving. They have a decent squad and showed today the difference with the players they could bring on, compared to us. Whether they can maintain it with the teams going being replaced by better teams (three that came down last time might come up) is debatable and feel they will always be looking over their shoulder but having crowds of 11,000 ish means they will always struggle to push on, even with a wealthy owner.



Today they moved it around nicely and had lots of chances but poor finishing or the final ball was off. They had so much possession and so many efforts but despite Grbic playing well, not sure they had lots of sitters. They had all the ball though and at times it was just very easy but maybe they sort of ran out of ideas. The defending they showed on the two goals was poor – the sort of goals we have been conceding! A better team than us would have just saw the game out but the changes really helped them and two subs scored and one other, Sinisterra was a real threat. In the end, they will be glad not to have been embarrassed to lose to the bottom team but also annoyed to drop two points, even if they did fight back. They had enough play, chances, and territory to have won the game. Not sure that can be argued but they too made poor mistakes at both ends.



Opponent Man of the Match – Thought Christie and Semenyo were constant threats first half and had a number of shots on and off goal. The subs of course both scored but Sinisterra was a huge difference maker and his running and dribbling caused us all sort of problems. To make a 20 minutes sub man of the match might be a stretch maybe – so I might go Semenyo – even though he did not score.



Opponent Weak link – Solanke had a woeful penalty and a goal disallowed but the keeper was poor on both goals – he pushes the first centrally into Hamer’s path and then on the second he punches it into his own man, so Neto bags this award.



Referee/Officials – Anthony Taylor. Too involved. 8 bookings which is ridiculous! Not sure how. Do not think there was a really bad foul all game? The ones by Kerkez and McBurnie looked far worse at the time and not sure either were a booking. A number of other soft ones too I felt. The rest of the game I felt a fair few 50-50’s he gave for them but maybe that is just with my United hat on. I did think McBurnie was given nothing all game and BBD was also baulked a fair bit too. He seemed to wave them away but gave lesser contact the other way. They also tried to con the ref with two blatant theatrical dives for the penalties 2nd half. The one first half, Davies does get the ball but these days they get given if you go through your man. It was a stupid tackle regardless! The goal they had disallowed I thought was harsh – but that is more the rules that are the problem. No idea what he is meant to do and is hit at him by our man and he is right next to it. I knew it would be disallowed as of course any handball that leads directly to a goal is chalked off but the rule is bonkers really.

At least Taylor’s watch worked good job Michael Oliver wasn’t the ref