please log in to view this image Wednesday 26th December 3pm Premier League Wembley Stadium Well, that was fun, wasn't it? The bloke compiling the highlights probably had trouble getting it all in. We've become something of a bogey team for the Blue Scouse in recent years and it showed. There's no time to sit back and enjoy our handiwork though, as the fixtures are non-stop in the festive period. Hopefully nobody will overindulge on turkey and roast potatoes, as they're a very good side on their day. Boxing Day delight or day old leftovers? This is the 4th season in the Premier League for Bournemouth and they've quietly solidified their place in the division. Eddie Howe has been pretty low key on their achievements and yet he's got a lot of the attention. They had a fairly quiet summer in the transfer market, but didn't lose anyone notable, which is hard to do. Jefferson Lerma has slotted into their midfield almost seamlessly, but another acquisition has caught the eye. David Brooks is only 21, but the young Welshman looks a real talent already. The Cherries are a real mixed bag in this campaign, as they swing from the sublime to the ridiculous. They're in 8th place in a tight mid-table and that's mainly due to their lack of draws. 8 wins and 8 losses, as well as being capable of scoring or conceding 4 goals says it all. A 4-0 win at Vicarage Road a couple of matches after a 4-0 loss at Turf Moor shows their inconsistency. They seem happy to play the game and give it a go, whatever that results in. Their visit to Wembley last season was during our early run at the ground and we hadn't won there yet. It looked like it might be another one of those days, as we struggled to break them down in the first half. The most notable attempt on goal was from Eric Dier, as he nearly scored an own goal, which Lloris saved well. Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock just after the break though, which lifted a cloud and settled us down. A second evaded us and Jermain Defoe nearly came back to haunt us from the bench, but we held on: The trip to Dean Court came during a fantastic run of form, but it looked like it might end there early on. Junior Stanislas gave them the lead after 7 minutes and they were still ahead when Kane left the pitch. He hobbled off around the half hour and things looked grim, but it was soon to change. Alli leveled it up before the break and Son put us ahead after an hour as we ran them ragged. A second from the Korean late on and an Aurier goal in injury time put some gloss on an impressive recovery: No injury news yet, but Aurier, Dembele, Dier, Vertonghen and Wanyama will probably all miss out again. Adam Smith, Dan Gosling and Lewis Cook are out for the visitors. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Alli; Kane, Son. Subs: Gazzaniga, Walker-Peters, Foyth, Rose, Skipp, Lamela, Moura. League form: WLWWWW. Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, S. Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Lerma, Surman, Stanislas; Wilson, King. Subs: Boruc, Mings, Rico, Ibe, Fraser, Mousset, Defoe. League form: LLWLLW. Referee: Chris Kavanagh. TV: Not televised. It's a quick turnaround and I'd assume that we'll make some changes, but who can we risk? Did anyone look particularly leggy against Everton or is there someone that you think is more suited to this one? Should we stick with the 4-4-2, which Bournemouth also favour or switch to one of our other systems?
I'd imagine we'll change a few things over the next couple of fixtures with quite a bit of rotation. Thinking we might see something like: Hugo KWP, Dave, Foyth, Rose Winks, Skipp Lamela, Eriksen, Lucas Kane And then for Wolves it'll be along the lines of: Hugo Tripps, Toby, Foyth, Davies Sissoko, Skipp Lucas, Dele*, Son Kane *If ok to play
Too lightweight in CB and CM. FB rotation : definitely (Pochettino normally begins doing so in earnest at that this point in the PL season) . As with Everton, the win is most important, and the GF a bonus.
Good shouts DH, although I'd like to see Gazza get a couple of games and maybe even give a runout to Nando. GKN isn't even close to consideration I imagine...
Same, although I just can't see him getting chances in the Prem unless Hugo gets injured. I thought Hugo could've done better for both Everton goals yesterday, especially the second but I can't see Poch rotating the keepers about until cup games. I'd have no problem with Nando getting a run out but truth be told, you and I have a better chance of playing. As for GK, you and I definitely have a better chance! Lol.
Agreed. To be honest, I thought Lucas and Lamela were going to start against Everton due to the minutes that Eriksen, Son and Dele played against Arsenal, but they didn’t. With Dele’s potential injury as a new factor, surely they’ll both start this one? They’ll both need to pull their finger out, though. Neither have been particularly impressive in recent weeks.
Lamela especially winds me up. I really want to love the guy for his enthusiasm and undoubted talent, but his constant moaning at others and arm-waving is a real no-no for me. There's a special player in there somewhere, but his heads not right.
We play today before the teams in 4th/5th do. So a win will have them looking at an 8 pt gap before KO.
It's been Liverpool putting the pressure on us by winning matches before us, I hope we can turn it around and put pressure on them. We normally do alright against Bournemouth and we beat Wolves 0-3 so I can't see them turning it around against us. Liverpool host Arsenal on two matches which is very interesting because they both can't win so maybe a good chance to put more points between us and them or a chance to catch up on Liverpool. The way we are now playing I don't yet see a defeat.
That central 4 of Big Dave, 25%, 40 and Skippy, worries me. There's just about no experience in it at all and I'd worry if we concede an early goal. I think that we have to play one of Toby or Moussa Sissoko. That probably means Toby, as we have some form of cover at central defence with Super Jan's imminent return along with the other two. If Moussa breaks down, we are shot in midfield for about a month.
B&W was making a joke about the end of th at match...we were 3 up but in the last 20 mins Foyth conceded 2 penalties so we were hanging on at 3-2 at the end.
I don't think there will be wholesale changes today, rotate the FBs, and Lamela for Alli. Hopefully get a couple up before the hour mark and Harry, Moussa and Sonny/Eriksen can have a break for the last 30.
I think if we are talking title challenges then any combination of our team should be enough to beat Bournemouth. I'm not suggesting a walk in the park but all our players should be focused on their goals and to let Bournemouth get in the way shows a lack of it. We are talking about Bournemouth not Barca. As predicted with the Everton game..it's more about us..our mindset and focus..get it right and Bournemouth shouldn't be a problem. From now on in...it's about focus and desire...the skill sets are there.
