Was so happy to see her get a superb reception from the fans in the stadium. What an incredible supporter and an amazing achievement to reach 101!
I was amazed at how easy it was for us today. Bournemouth have had a really good season and were coming into the game on a 3 game winning streak but they literally caused us no trouble whatsoever and that surprised me. The early goal obviously got things off to a great start for us but I imagined Bournemouth wanting to get back into the game as quickly as possible and that just didn't really happen. That's a huge credit to us, we defended superbly (if I remember correctly, Hugo didn't have to make a single save! Just had to claim one or two crosses) and from the midfield onwards we just bossed it. Wimmer is constantly reassuring me that we have a very, very good player capable of challenging Jan and Toby for a place. Speaking of Toby, do we have the best performing CB on the planet at the moment? I think you'd be hard pressed to find two or three better than him in world football right now, what a signing he's been. Player of the year for me. Great finishes by Kane, lovely assists from Walker and Alli to. Dier was making their midfield look dire (see what I did there? ), Eriksen was dictating play, Dembele was just Dembele - beautiful to watch, Alli was causing Bournemouth problems both with his skill and dark side (I love the dark side if I'm honest, as long as he doesn't go too overboard with it, it's enjoyable viewing!), our full backs gave our old youth full backs a torrid day and really didn't allow them out of their half much and the team in general just completely dominated. As for Lamela, I think his work rate is being a bit underappreciated, while it can be frustrating that such a talented individual doesn't take games by the scruff of the neck, his work rate for the side is fantastic and it greatly benefits the team. When he went off, I felt Bournemouth were getting the ball a lot further down the pitch on Walker's side, I don't think it was a coincidence that it happened straight after Erik's substitution. For me he's fully earned his spot in this starting XI, even if he doesn't get the goals or assists like he really should. Internationals now, praying we get the guys back in one piece, hopefully to be joined by Jan and Clint, too! We need as many bodies ready and available for this final push, Clint's pace could prove to be a valuable asset in this latter part. COYS!
The same in both games against the Gooners. We were running both before he went off. It can't always be coincidence. When he goes off our performance drops. I think he'll continue to get better next season but somehow he has become essential to us without being close to the player we bought.
I'm a big fan of Lamela, always have been, but I thought he was ineffective today and his withdrawal was the correct decision at the time.
I guess this is (still) what disappoints me about him. In a game like today, it isn't the work-rate that I am remotely interested in seeing. When Toby, Kev, Dier and Dembele have the game by the scruff of the neck, and Rose/Walker are stretching the play superbly on either flank...why on earth do we need another player to stand out for their defensive qualities, especially against a B'mouth side as lackluster as we saw today? This is what grinds me about Lamela and it is the reason why he'll never live up to the ludicrous price tag around his neck. Compare to Eriksen (who I have slated numerous times this season), who sensed from kick off that B'mouth had rolled over to play dead, and suddenly he's in a different league. You could see how much he was enjoying himself out there terrorising them from every angle. The flicks, spins and dummies all timed to perfection. It was marvelous to watch and I was delighted that he got the goal his overall performance deserved. What was most intriguing was how Eriksen didn't seem as interested in relentless pressing/tracking back as he normally does...because he knew we had the game by the unmentionables. It frustrates me that Lamela lacks the confidence and/or ability to do the same.
More interesting post-match comments from an opposition manager: http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/eddie-howe-post-match-reaction-afc-bournemouth-spurs-3018162.aspx "We came here full of confidence knowing we were facing a good side, but we didn't deliver - with and without the ball we were poor." "There's a lot we can take from them though. It can be a really good learning tool for us as they are an impressive side and we need to learn from it to continue developing." "This game is a way of telling us we have work to do and we can look at this to become the best team we can be in the long term." "No disrespect to anyone else but in our eyes they're the best team we've played, they're someone for us to look at to try to emulate." Various Bournemouth players have been equally flattering. Simon Cook called the team unplayable. If we want to haul back Leicester's lead, then that's what the team has to do in every game. Keep playing like that and we'll have a real chance.
When you think back over the years and the teams who we faced almost expecting to lose to - and then doing so, repeatedly, sometimes in spectacular fashion - the thought of other teams being in awe of us is fantastic. And those comments won't go unnoticed in the PL. Just hope it puts opponents on the back foot rather than gee them up.......
Yeah, I've read or watched quite a number of his post-match interviews and always been quite impressed. He's honest about his team without throwing anyone under a bus or excluding himself from criticism. Comes across very well. He's done a good job this season, especially when you consider the early setbacks that they had with injuries. Next season will be a big test, but I think that there'll be teams paying close attention to how he does.
As it was with Bournemouth yesterday, so it was with us and Dortmund. No shame in acknowledging your shortcomings or where improvements can be made, nor a better team who can show you an upwards path.
He really is a top guy, Eddie Howe. Not only is he arguably England's best young manager at the moment but as we've all noticed, he's also a very decent bloke. Excluding their games against us this season, Bournemouth have proven to be a really good side and haven't looked out of their depth when faced against opposition that's able to field much more experienced and expensive talent and I think that's a credit to the work he's done. I think he has a similar relationship to his players as what Poch does with ours, there's a lot of respect and therefore players are willing to give their all for the team and manager. I said this a while back but I really wouldn't be against someone like him (or Dyche, or someone just of the equivalent) replacing Woy for England. I think the FA needs to shake things up and bring in a young manager to work alongside the young crop of players we have coming through. Time after time we're hiring an ageing manager who doesn't have the balls to drop these so called big stars who keep flopping in the major tournaments because they probably feel the "experience" (of disappointing your country!) counts for something over others trying to make a name. We have a great core of young talent in the likes of Butland, Shaw, Stones (despite being dropped recently), Dier, Alli, Barkley, Kane and I'm sure others that I've missed, get them blooded-in ASAP with a young manager who, in 4-6 years time will have a side that knows one another and the manager's plans to hopefully bring a bit of footballing pride to our nation in the major tournaments instead of having what looks like a bunch of headless chickens who've just been thrown in together at 25-26 years old and expected to challenge for international honours immediately.
Been saying pretty much the same for ages. Unfortunately, Woy will go with the usual suspects and we'll be home before the quarter finals.
If and when Poch moves on to new pastures, I wouldn't mind seeing Howe in the dugout at Spurs. City, United and Chelsea have proven that big-name managers can guarantee anything but success in the most unpredictable and unforgiving league in the world. I think Howe would fit the ethos of the club very nicely.
Yeah agree, as long as Howe's willing to wait 15 years for Poch to go then I'd be more than happy to have him in charge
My immediate thoughts when I see clubs managed by the likes of Eddie Howe, doing ok and playing reasonable quality football, is that the Academy should be building strong loan links to those clubs (especially if they are in the PL) .
