It wasn't a great team performance though. Even our goals were down to a hefty dollop of individual skill rather than the free-flowing teamwork we've seen this season.
That's the thing with today. Because of injuries, a few old players have had to play. That mentality is a knew thing, the old regime don't have it.
Whatever about 2-0 up at half-time, at 3-1 it should have been over. They lost their last home game to Sunderland and now they produce a second half like that... because they were allowed to do it
Exactly. Matip, Lallana (played a bit but still), Coutinho and Studge all missing will massively effect the 'team' making more about individuals. Matip, Lallana, Mane, Firmino and Coutinho is our spine. Only two started the game. One more came off the bench to replace one that was already playing.
I got a lot of **** from some people earlier in the season by saying I wasn't impressed by Karius, but I'm seeing nothing to change my mind. He's not had much to do because most of our games are played up the other end but he has to do better than this when called upon. Firmino just wasn't in the game, the other two took their goals well but didn't pull their weight otherwise. I think the whole team suffered from thinking it was a formality at 2-0.
See last couple of comments. Majority of our spine was missing. We don't have star players, we have a team. We were missing Matip, Lallana (and then Mane), Coutinho & to a lesser extent, Studge too. Firmino & Mane (plus Origi) were poor too #thespine
I'm not sure what Coutinho Lallana Mane would have done - our attack scored 3 goals. Matip Was the biggest loss. Please now join me in my hate campaign of Lovren.
I've remained on the fence with Karius. Not seem anything that makes me think he's a star in the making but don't want to write him off yet either. Keepers (and players in general) can take a year to settle. Plus, the other portion is Migs. We all know what he's about and that's not going to change. Why not give a younger lad time to get things right?
Press the ball higher up the pitch? #defendfromthefront Maintain possession better? #dontgivesillyballsaway Bournemouth can't attack if they don't have the ball or they're in their own half. Not saying the defence are blameless, far from it. Just saying there was a lot of changes to the team
I'm not predicting his future, just commenting on what I've seen so far. Too many on here have been, imo, over-optimistic about him based on very little evidence. I hope he comes good, but what about here and now? We are in a pretty good position this season to make a serious title challenge - would you be prepared to risk that in order to nurture someone who might get better in the future?
Didn't we do just that with Bruce Grobbelaar once upon a time? Seriously though, I've no idea. Do we go and buy a better keeper in January thus ****ting all over both Migs' and Karius' confidences? (Think Migs is already off anyway mind) I'd prefer us to sign another CB and a LB before a keeper
Well it was pretty ****, Midfield didn't protect the defence at all in the 2nd half and with Lucas diving into tackles and missing them meant that Bmouth's quick players were able to get in behind. Sat off them too much early in the 2nd half and end of the 1st and allowed them to get back into the game and build confidence. The way we were playing in the 1st half we should have scored more and put the game to bed by half time. Not impressed by Karius today, too slow to react.
1st loss in 16 games. Obviously the way it happened is what's got everyone down but some perspective is required. I feel like its the same people getting excited about a title challenge when we get 1 big result like against Watford and say we are doomed and need an overhaul after a bad game.
I don't pretend to know the answer. We need improving in a few key areas. I'm not picking on Karius, just explaining my position on him because you questioned it. It's not the normal thing to play someone "with potential" in a crucial position when failure could destroy the confidence in him and those around him. They're usually used sparingly while they grow into the role. I don't want to dwell on this, but my opinion is that he's not ready yet. However, like I said earlier, the whole team display was poor today in the second half, and it wasn't just individual performances.
yup totally agree 1. henderson booked and immediately the team fell apart. A simple tactic swithc was required that NEVER came. They over ran that position constantly and the other 3 CMS were found wanting. all go forward and not there when needed. 2. Karius.. finally flogged one. I thought he got away with one first half theat he palmed out and it hit lovren but went ouf for corenr and i thought maybe his is a streaky keeper. But he dropped a simple enough one right in front of them to lose the game for us. 3. At 3-1 we should have shut that game down but failed to. 4. Origi did shag all after socring. he never got on it really.
Mweh...lots of blame to go around in second half..individual errors yes..still players that I consider too weak to be in a title winning starting 11 unless we've no choice. Still not enough leaders with cool heads on the pitch. there's a difference between not losing intensity and losing our heads completely and scurrying like field mice. But...I'd still consider us in with the title challengers group ...as I said earlier..by no means favourites and fitness of our best 11 is vital. But only 4 points off top at this stage and despite their run the current leaders showed enough weaknesses yesterday to suggest they'll also lose points. It's going to be a tight one the whole way..
