I got the distinct impression that there were a number of City fans entering the ground who thought Bournemouth were just here for the day out. Well think again! A very impressive performance from the Cherries who for about an hour totally outplayed, out passed and out thought our slightly disjointed side. I'm not too sure why we struggled to perform, it wasn't totally clear, so I'll give the visitors credit for stopping us playing. In truth, that's very harsh on them as they played nice football of their own and had the lions share of possession. However City had the greater number and better of the chances so a draw was probably just about right in the end. Eddie Howe has Bournemouth set up really well and I think they will be amongst the contenders for a top six berth - they are comfortably the best team we've played so far this season. We still have issues going forward, despite the goals flowing relatively freely. Lafferty is completely wasted out wide and seems to be getting very frustrated. Grabban, goal aside, appeared to be trying too hard to impress and was all over the place (not in a good way) - likewise Redmond. He put in a great ball for the goal and I really thought that might kick start him but it just isn't happening for him at the moment and Murphy caused them more problems in 15 minutes than Redmond did previously. I think we need to make a few changes for our next match, just to mix things up a little bit, whether that be bringing new players in or just rotating a couple of players. That front three isn't set up correctly and is not working as a unit and if set up correctly would make a big difference in my opinion. The good thing is the defence looks much more organised. I know Garrido and Redmond fell asleep for the goal but it was a fantastic pass to be fair. Turner is playing tremendously well, Martin looked much more assured in the past week or two at centre back (though I'd still prefer him at right back as the season progresses). Johnson and Tettey are protecting the back line very well indeed. As I said in the title, definitely a point gained today and although we've made a pretty good start, the two week international break comes at a great time for Adams to try and iron out some of the issues and bed in the new guys. Five games in, 10 points - two points a game. That's certainly top six form in this league, maybe even top two. We are capable of much more but its been a promising start. OTBC
I was surprised at a few people on here who seemed to think Bournemouth weren't up to much. They were well in contention for the playoffs last seaosn and they play great football. As for the team, I agree about the front 3 being set up wrong. Obviously with Grabban on such good form it's hard to move him from the CF role but I think the team would be more balanced with Lafferty or Hooper up front. Or we go with a 3 that gets all 3 on the pitch then have a solid midfield of Tettey, Vadis and Howson. I think our defence is looking really strong so the attack just needs a re shape.
Agree about the front three. If Lafferty is going to play it's as a centre forward not a winger ? If he wants to play two wingers then start Redmond & Murphy. I know I'll get shouted down for this but Grabban( yes 5 in 5,I know) just doesn't look like a lone striker. Many times today as we broke out and went forward he was behind play leaving no one for the excellent Tettey & Johnson to pass to, causing balls to go side ways or backwards. In fact I'd rather see him out wide and Lafferty in the middle. I'm just hoping Hooper isn't sold as he's going to be vital if we aim to go up. I'm not sure that Bournemouth were the best we've faced I just think our attacking intent just never got going today. I thought Blackburn were stronger actually? Let's hope the new lads give us a bit extra for the next game.
i chatted to a bournemouth fan before the game who said grabban is a poor lone striker (i tend to agree to be honest) but played alongside a target man is fantastic. not sure how we can work it and it probably seems alarming to be concerned about grabban if you haven't been to the games and see his record but i personally feel adjustments are required because although we are scoring goals and grabban is netting regularly, i don't think this will continue. i don't think it needs major surgery, its just not quite right yet and we aren't playing to the strengths of any of the front three.
I agree that I see it more as 1 point gained and at least we didn't lose to a team I think will most certainly finish in the top half of the table come May. There's no way we could maintain the way we've played the last few weeks, but I'm quietly confident we can return to wining our home games in 3 weeks time. It's going to be interesting to see how NA accommodates his new signings into the1st team and must be a nice problem to have.
A point is a decent result, and we are on a decent unbeaten run. Came as no surprise to see Wilson scoring, looks like one of the league's best. If we can find the right mix of players I've no doubt that with the quality we have we can be at the correct end of the table for the season! OTBC
It's all about accommodating Wes the formation seems to built around that, the diamond doesn't work so we go back to the favoured 4-2-3-1 which I quite like as a formation it's just getting the personal right. I would despise seeing us revert back to the dark ages and use a 4-4-2 which I don't think works very well with our team. The problem with the forwards what I've seen has be over relaxed finishing forwards not getting the technique right, we need be a lot more clinical and ruthless in front of goal.
For obvious reasons I follow the games on BBC text service, where only things of note are mentioned. Fouls, corners, shots off, shots on, passes leading to shots and cards. From the time Wes was given a yellow in about the 17th minute if memory is right his name did not appear again until the 73rd minute. So by this criteria he had no input in a positive way for nearly an hour. Sorry, but for our main playmaker this is not good enough. Lovely player that he is he blows cold in far too many matches as far as I can tell.
You raise a good point re Wes and I think Bournemouth changed formation to stifle him as well. I wasn't able to get to the game yesterday, so can't really comment too much. I would also totally agree with Northants in that our strikers need to be much more clinical in front of goal, but I think this will come as the season progresses and the players become more accustomed to each other's playing styles. It's going to be interesting to see the tram selection for the Cardiff game and I hope we can get back to winning ways there!
I watched the Fulham v Cardiff game on t.v last night, & yes it's a high lights show but Fulham battered Cardiff the whole game, how they didn't win is a mystery, but Cardiff/Jones had one chance in the game amongst the countless Fulham efforts & took it ! I do not think our current strike force are likely to do the same in a similar scenario ?
Will be easier to know after tomorrow. But I'd say yesterday we played without 5 of our best players (Olsson, Howson, Hooper, Vadis, Ryben). We have a lot of talent still to come into this team. I haven't seen anything if yesterday's game but I share the growing concerns over Grabban. Currently we seem to be creating lots if chances but not converting enough. We need to become more clinical.
I'm surprised you weren't shouted down Chippy re Redmond and Murphy as when I suggested the same thing on another thread before yesterdays game it did not receive a favourable reception to say the least. In the modern game the only way to unlock a well organised defence is down the flanks. They can deal all day with balls coming in at them when they have their backs to goal but a ball pulled back from the byline leaving them facing their own goal is a different matter. I agree with the overall points however that yesterday represented a point gained overall and that it is sheer folly to under estimate any team in this league.
Spot on post 1950. I think we need to change the team around a bit for the next few games and give some of the others a chance to see what they can do!!
The more Grabban scores the more he concerns people on these boards, does Lafferty not scoring at all bother you as much as a guy that scores 5 from 5 and is the leagues highest scorer? I find the criticism baffling someone even mentioned that he thought Grabban should be on 10 goals already if he converted almost every half chance.
Plus the fact that he's actually getting chances and/or half chances speaks volumes about the way NA has set the team(s) out to provide pace, width and support. Who knows, but Hooper and RvW may have both had 12+ goals each last season had the team been set up in anything like a similar fashion
have you watched the games? if you have, grabban's, lafferty's and redmond's performances should all concern you too. i think those front three are causing us more problems than they're solving right now. none of them are being utilised correctly, none are having their strengths played to. still, you can't fault grabban's 5 goals in as many games and he certainly seems to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time, but in my opinion, and it seems the opinion of many who have been at the games, he's not quite as good as his record looks on paper and i'm sorry but that front three is not functioning correctly at all. it needs to be looked at over the international break so it can either fulfil its potential or we should switch personnel. there's no question we are creating more chances but that's partly because of the pace in the side, moving the ball much, much quicker, and partly because the standard of the opposition is vastly inferior to anything we faced in the last three seasons. we've made a very promising start to the season but we still have some rather large issues which need solving. as i said initially, i think the break comes at the perfect time
Supers - I've watched the 2 televised games and been at CR for the 2 of the 3 home games - couldn't make yesterday unfortunately and agree that NA needs to try different formations/personnel in some of the next games. Agree that the international break has happened at the right time.
i should also add that i think adams was quite within his right to keep a settled side as it was winning him games but there have been signs in all our games and yesterday was the clearest indication yet that those three, playing in those roles, is not going to work as the season progresses.
The attack is not delivering enough goals combined but the zero goals from Lafferty Bennett and Redmond is more troubling to me but Grabban seems to take the most stick on here. He is one player doing what we pay him to do ,convert chances maybe not enough for some people but i don't think he is the problem someone else needs to step up. If that means switching Grabban with Lafferty so Lafferty is the target then maybe that will work but some may question Adams if he puts the top scorer out wide . For what it's worth i would put Redmond and Bennett or Murphy either side of Grabban and sub him for Lafferty or Jerome if it doesn't work. I think Wes needs to deliver most games or get changed too.
I've only seen the highlights from yesterday so can't really comment on the game but i note that rem dons assist came from the right, how much time did he spend there this is the position that's I'd want to see him played.
