0-0 HT. Lots of graft and not a lot of quality, unfortunately. Looks like everyone's going to press us and give us little time on the ball, which makes sense. Need more composure and some decent, sustained possession. Hopefully they'll run out of steam before we do. Pochettino needs to have a word with a few of them and sort the discipline out. Too many sloppy fouls and a red card would be a disaster. Lamela needs to make way at the break, too. He's right on the edge.
A couple of decent efforts...stupid bookings...lucky not to be down to 10...very poor stuff from us and too many players not affecting the match. Get Lamela off and put Jannsen on
Not a good half, pretty scrappy. The ref is a bit petty. Verts yes, Lamela maybe, the others nah. Rose played the ball, Alli never.
I think Bournemouth did very well in that half and I would give it to them. You can see chances for us to score and stall their momentum a bit. I see it that we have ridden out the storm and now we can return some of it in the second half. COYS
Nothing good about that half except we managed to end it with still 11 on the pitch. The bad..... 1. we're getting out-pressed (again) 2. no real attacking threat 3. midfield getting bypassed too easily 4. carrying Erikssen (again) and key players not making an impact 5. there seems to be a forcefield around the Bournemouth penalty area 6. worst of all, Wheelchair is not only still on the pitch (rather than a stretcher) and is actually more influential than any of our MF Things need to change.
Bad first half. Press was non existent, there was no focal point to our attacks, defence looks dodgy without Toby and we've been stupid enough to pick up 4 bookings. We still had our moments though. I'd take off Alli and bring on Janssen if the second half starts as more of the same.
Lamela must be subbed, but the problem is that we have 3 others on the edge - particularly if Bournemouth continue at the same tempo. Cant change them all - so the chance of ending the game with 11 is looking decidely remote. However, I do think that the ref hasnt been consistent with his card decisions. There were a few Bournemouth tackles that were similar but didnt get a yellow.
A poch bollocking at half time will sort us out. Just need to get on the ball and keep it. - as we proved against city, when we play our game we're a very difficult and frustrating side for other teams to play against. Need a change after 10 mins or so. Janssen may not be scoring the goals, but he gives us so much more than we currently have going forward right now.
Lamela was never going to score there, but didn't have anyone showing for him. Really tricky to get anything there, barring maybe a corner.
Why is that foul on Alli not a card, going by the standard that's been set? Play the advantage, sure, but go back and be consistent.
Another dodgy one on Alli, but because there's an advantage there's no booking. Really inconsistent. Gradel on for Ibe. They needed that change, I think.
Janssen on, but it's Son who makes way. The Korean's not had a good game, but I'd have pulled Lamela. He's having a better second half, but he's on a yellow and Son scores more goals.
Son going off for Janssen is a poor sub, IMO. They've both worked well with one another this season and it's disappointing to see Lamela still on the pitch with 30 mins to go and on a yellow. Really thought son and Janssen were our best chance of breaking down Bournemouth today.
