Match Day Bournemouth v Watford, Saturday 19th August 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[Super_horns]

Usually ends in a draw and Gomes plays well.

No doubt there will be some Twitter war created before the game by the Twitter brigade.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Fair to say that the opening day didn't go to plan, although it wasn't in the least bit surprising. Dominate possession with ineffectual tippy tappy play, concede a silly free kick and then concede a lazy free header at the back post from said silly free kick, and continue to dominate possession with no real consequence. It doesn't matter what level of football we play at, losing away games 1-0 to a set piece whilst playing lots of pretty passes is just one of those things Bournemouth have always specialised in!

So we have to shake off that rust, and fire ourselves up for a reaction here. It's Watford, so it'll be a little more interesting than the average game. Both teams always play some decent aggressive stuff in this fixture, there's always goals, and it's often quite an even affair. Watford seem to be opening up in their style and obviously have goals in them judging by their opening day. That will suit us much more than playing West Brom did. There's also bound to be some controversy, there always is. So we'll wait and see which side benefits from whatever happens.

There were some team selection errors from Howe I feel that he'll need to adjust for in this game. One of them will be forced upon him because Francis got injured, Smith we assume is fit and will automatically come in. The other change has to be Lewis Cook coming into midfield, although which of Surman or Arter to drop is a coin flip. Also Jordon Ibe must be banging on the door for a start at the moment as he looks in confident shape, although I think coming off the bench suits him better at this stage.

We could do with getting something on the board from this because we have Man City and Arsenal next.

 

[JimJams]

2 a piece.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Quite even first half although Watford missed the best chance, Gray point blank with the goal at his mercy hoofs the ball over.

Otherwise decent chances for both, mistakes for both, entertaining if not high on quality at times.

 

[Super_horns]

Excellent win!

Capoue will be in Silva's good books now.

Good to see Richarlison score and play well.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Watford fully deserved that. Thought at one point we were going to come away with an undeserved point as Watford continued to miss chances, but they got it in the end.

After that of course they can use every trick in the book, and when they chance came they continued to look dangerous on the break. After we failed to clear three times, 3 times ffs, the ball dropped nicely and the range strike arrowed into the corner for the second.

Came alive again late on but the game was long gone.

Ake and Ibe the only players who come away with credit I think. A lot of our old guard, Surman Arter S.Cook Pugh Daniels etc are all so far off their usual pace.

 

[Super_horns]

Is Defoe not deemed match fit to start games?

He would be quite a presence up front in terms of a proven goal scorer to worry defences (ours isn't blessed with pace) - baring in mind Wilson isn't fit.

Sounds like a few of your fans are saying the midfield is a weak link - maybe less quality without a fit Wilshere from last season?

Its funny how all managers have their favourites which seems to be a suggestion from some about Howe.

Only a couple of games though so shouldn't panic too much!

Good to hear we are attacking teams and looking to score goals/create chances - bold move to drop Okaka who was excellent last week.

Have a few options in attack now although with our injury record one or two will be injured soon!

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Bournemouth looked like bastards on the highlights.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Is Defoe not deemed match fit to start games?

He would be quite a presence up front in terms of a proven goal scorer to worry defences (ours isn't blessed with pace) - baring in mind Wilson isn't fit.

Sounds like a few of your fans are saying the midfield is a weak link - maybe less quality without a fit Wilshere from last season?

Its funny how all managers have their favourites which seems to be a suggestion from some about Howe.

Only a couple of games though so shouldn't panic too much!

Good to hear we are attacking teams and looking to score goals/create chances - bold move to drop Okaka who was excellent last week.

Have a few options in attack now although with our injury record one or two will be injured soon!

Defoe apparently had a groin issue that prevented him starting last week, so I guess he's maybe not 100%. But we could have Messi up front and we'd struggle when the midfield is having such a shocking time of it, as it has done these two games.

And the answer, or at least an improvement, is right under our nose. I have no idea why Lewis Cook isn't even deemed good enough for the bench, when he's the best midfielder we've got. Yes he's young, has played a full summer of England world cup duty, he needs easing in and careful management. But to not involve him at all is moronic.

Surman and Arter are desperately struggling for form at the moment. Gosling and Cook are both good options. But options are only useful if you're prepared to use them. If you just play the long time favourites forever you may as well not have any other options.

Watford's aggressive press forced many errors, but also we made plenty of totally unforced errors, such as Watford scored their first from. It's like there's some hangover, so much rust and lethargy in certain key long time core players.

That's why we've signed a lot of young blood in recent windows. Howe needs to be braver in using some of them. Mousset, Cook, Ibe (did well yesterday), as well as the more proven younger players like Fraser and Ake, have to become the core at some point.