Funny you should mention this, as I was at Bournemouth v Southampton last night, and a member of the Bournemouth coaching staff told me they were gutted at missing out on Pritchard this summer.
Bale continues to torment Inter: [video=youtube;nTImWvgTtCM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTImWvgTtCM[/video]
Starting XI: Friedel; Walker, Dawson (c), Veljkovic, Rose; Holtby, Capoue, Mason, Townsend, Lamela; Kane. Subs: McGee, Fredericks, Naughton, Davies, Kaboul, Lennon, Eriksen, Ceballos, Falque, Soldado. Fryers and Carroll have knocks, apparently.
The games have been entertaining enough so far, if not exactly enthralling. I'm trying to get a decent idea of what Pochettino's planning. BT Sport without Michael Owen isn't too bad, either.
Ridiculous pass from their keeper sells his defender short, doesn't tell him that he's being closed down and Holtby steals it. Could shoot himself, but puts it on a plate for Kane, who can't miss. 1-0. Quiet start and no flow from us, but we're ahead.
Danny Rose in the middle, lays it back to a teammate... who's actually the ref. We're wearing black and yellow, so why are the officials? Silly.
Holtby with a suicidal inside pass to nobody, but he gets back to correct his own mistake at the cost of a corner, which comes to nothing. Sloppy stuff, so far. No really decent possession and only one real chance.
Holtby doesn't like this ref. Can't say that I blame him. He's missing simple things. Lamela impressing again. Disjointed overall performance, but he's shown bits and bobs.
Danny Rose has somehow managed to get himself in the book, mainly because he's upset his opposite fullback. Really, really weak for a friendly. Not impressed by either him or the ref. 1-0 HT. Mediocre. We've not really looked threatened, barring one long shot, but we've lacked cohesion and don't look bothered. It would nice to see some quality in the second half.
Really crap first half. Looks far more like a first game of preseason than the actual one. I know it's still only an early friend but it's really a waste of an outing if we're going to continue like this in the second half. The ref has given some bizarre decisions both ways but Holtby needs to chill out a bit
Not enough passing for me and when we did try ,too many went astray. Don't think Lamella and Townsend were as good as Lennon and Lamella the other night.
This^. I think Eriksen has been missed for his passing, too. Hotlby started ok and then got carried away with harassing the ref. Mason's been alright, but not picked out any of the dangerous balls that he's tried and nobody's getting into the box when Kane's not there.
