***Bournemouth v Champions Official Match Thread***

[zuricity]

Pep stressed that we couldn’t cope with the long balls. We were losing the 50 50s and then they ran in behind. Really missed Dias for that kind of challenge. He’s our best ‘stopper’ Centre Back.

Walker was poor yesterday.

[johnny crossan]

Pep stressed that we couldn’t cope with the long balls. We were losing the 50 50s and then they ran in behind. Really missed Dias for that kind of challenge. He’s our best ‘stopper’ Centre Back.

spot on, Ake was miles off yesterday.

[john@staustell]

There are a lot of great players in history, who you knew you would always get a game out of. Who you knew would never miss an opportunity.

Foden has never been like that. You have no idea what you will get on any given day. The undoubted brilliance of some is his goals is tempered by inexplicable misses, like yesterday. And sometimes just anonymity

We need a full revamp. A lot of the players are getting on a bit too much and for the first time since the Sheik took over we don't seem to have a succession plan in many positions.

Time to get the wallet out, big time. FFP permitting!

[patrickblue]

There are a lot of great players in history, who you knew you would always get a game out of. Who you knew would never miss an opportunity.

Foden has never been like that. You have no idea what you will get on any given day. The undoubted brilliance of some is his goals is tempered by inexplicable misses, like yesterday. And sometimes just anonymity

We need a full revamp. A lot of the players are getting on a bit too much and for the first time since the Sheik took over we don't seem to have a succession plan in many positions.

Time to get the wallet out, big time. FFP permitting!

Sounds about right to me.
All good things come to an end, all great teams fade away, and have to be renewed.
We're at that point now.

[Sparklehorse]

….agreed, but we’re still better than the rest, it wouldn’t take too much tweaking to keep us ahead. When you have a side playing the likes of Nunes regularly, you know something is wrong. He’s actually been ok the last few games, but OK is not good enough. I think Southgate has ruined Foden, hopefully temporarily, with his mismanagement of the best player in the UK at that time. If he’d been allowed the rein to play as we all know he can things might have turned out better. Too much emphasis on that cunt Bellingham.
I’m not panicking just yet, I was thinking exactly the same this time last year. Pep is not the best manager in the world for nothing…….lets see what happens.

[patrickblue]

….agreed, but we’re still better than the rest, it wouldn’t take too much tweaking to keep us ahead. When you have a side playing the likes of Nunes regularly, you know something is wrong. He’s actually been ok the last few games, but OK is not good enough. I think Southgate has ruined Foden, hopefully temporarily, with his mismanagement of the best player in the UK at that time. If he’d been allowed the rein to play as we all know he can things might have turned out better. Too much emphasis on that cunt Bellingham.
I’m not panicking just yet, I was thinking exactly the same this time last year. Pep is not the best manager in the world for nothing…….lets see what happens.

I certainly agree we're still better than the rest. It's more that the player the quadruple winning great side was built around seems to have come to the end of the road.
Though he'll no doubt have a few more games, his age means he'll never be the heart of the team again.
Kev's the one we need to somehow replace.

[Mase]

There are a lot of great players in history, who you knew you would always get a game out of. Who you knew would never miss an opportunity.

Foden has never been like that. You have no idea what you will get on any given day. The undoubted brilliance of some is his goals is tempered by inexplicable misses, like yesterday. And sometimes just anonymity

We need a full revamp. A lot of the players are getting on a bit too much and for the first time since the Sheik took over we don't seem to have a succession plan in many positions.

Time to get the wallet out, big time. FFP permitting!

Foden wasn’t like that last season? Every game he was class and carried us for long parts of the season.

That’s what we’re missing this season.

His issue is that he’s had a class season, he’s then gone away with a shitty team, shitty fans, shitty manager and he’s been blamed for all of England’s problems. His confidence must be absolutely shot. He really needs a long think about retiring from international football. It does him no good at all - totally fucks him up. Scholes retired early from internationals and so should he.

[zuricity]

we will win five in a row. Pep knows what he is doing. He wants teams to come and attack us. Yeah , we all want to win every game, but sometimes seeing teams go head to head with the top teams enables the top teams to readjust.

Yesterday Erling was quiet, kept quiet ? , almost nicked it in the last five minutes . Doku came close , phil too. I think, going into december we will start to turn it on again. Need two good results this week to stay treading water , at the top. So to speak.

[Original Dub]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

[Harry Dowd scored]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

I am not sure about winning the league, that would be tough. We have been amazing for years, however, players key to that success have either left or are getting past their best. How can you replace a KDB? Walker clearly not the player he was, Stones, I really don’t know what to say, enigma maybe. Again his fitness is always in for question. We don’t have a defensive unit available on a regular basis. Foden, best in the league last year struggling this season. If Haaland is having one of those games where he doesn’t seem to contribute, we do not have another striker to replace him. In other words no plan B.
The other frustration is when it is obvious we are second best like v Bournemouth, Pep gives the impression he does not see what the fans do, substitutions are often to late to affect the game. Putting attacking forwards on in 85th minute when the game is near enough lost is unquestionably a mistake.
That said, if we can see these failings I am sure our leadership do, I am certain there will be action taken to put us back on track. Ah but we only lost for the first time on Saturday I hear being shouted, that’s true, but if we are honest we have struggled this season.
I have faith in our management team to address the issues & get us back on track. However I believe we need to be patient this season whilst the necessary action is taken.

[Indianablue]

we will win five in a row. Pep knows what he is doing. He wants teams to come and attack us. Yeah , we all want to win every game, but sometimes seeing teams go head to head with the top teams enables the top teams to readjust.

Yesterday Erling was quiet, kept quiet ? , almost nicked it in the last five minutes . Doku came close , phil too. I think, going into december we will start to turn it on again. Need two good results this week to stay treading water , at the top. So to speak.

Absolutely zero chance of winning 5 in a row. My gut feeling is that Pep has checked out, just not announced it yet. His enthusiasm and energy on the bench on Saturday was non existent. Too many players crying off with minor knocks and bruises on top of a list of major injuries to Bobb and Rodri. Not replacing Alvarez and getting midfield cover for Rodri was a mistake. His team selection is questionable and his product is boring as fuck. Pep ain't that great if he can't figure out how to defend against a break. To be honest I feel that as great as he has been and is still a decent manager, I want a change. KDB, Walker, Gundo, not out future , can't compete anymore. Palmer going was a colossal fuck up as it turns out . Pissed off with the state of things doesn't come close to how I feel.

[Indianablue]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

Pep doesn't have a plan B. The nearest thing I saw to a tactical change was against Sparta Prague, ( playing backwards to suck out their defence then breaking at pace)
Pep uses subs poorly often making changes too late
Pep is guilty of overthinking in big games, losing them when we have been the better team
PEP cannot attack or defend corners, we don't convert enough and we sure as shit can't defend
If Pep wants to play tippy tappy in the last 30 yds, for fuck sake work out how to defend when we lose possession.
Far too many teams can cut through us like a hot knife thru butter and create a decent chance , takes us fucking minutes to do something most of the time
Pep very often changes a winning team, why?
I've loved Pep and he's been our greatest manager but he has always had these weaknesses in my opinion. Unfortunately with a depleted squad and uncertain future of many at the club, these weaknesses are causing issues. The standard of the Prem isn't great this year, its the only thing keeping us near the top

[Scatman]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

Pep doesn't have a plan B. The nearest thing I saw to a tactical change was against Sparta Prague, ( playing backwards to suck out their defence then breaking at pace)
Pep uses subs poorly often making changes too late
Pep is guilty of overthinking in big games, losing them when we have been the better team
PEP cannot attack or defend corners, we don't convert enough and we sure as shit can't defend
If Pep wants to play tippy tappy in the last 30 yds, for fuck sake work out how to defend when we lose possession.
Far too many teams can cut through us like a hot knife thru butter and create a decent chance , takes us fucking minutes to do something most of the time
Pep very often changes a winning team, why?
I've loved Pep and he's been our greatest manager but he has always had these weaknesses in my opinion. Unfortunately with a depleted squad and uncertain future of many at the club, these weaknesses are causing issues. The standard of the Prem isn't great this year, its the only thing keeping us near the top

Lucky for Pep he's had Messi and Kev because he sure isn't up to the job is he?

[stupot]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

Pep doesn't have a plan B. The nearest thing I saw to a tactical change was against Sparta Prague, ( playing backwards to suck out their defence then breaking at pace)
Pep uses subs poorly often making changes too late
Pep is guilty of overthinking in big games, losing them when we have been the better team
PEP cannot attack or defend corners, we don't convert enough and we sure as shit can't defend
If Pep wants to play tippy tappy in the last 30 yds, for fuck sake work out how to defend when we lose possession.
Far too many teams can cut through us like a hot knife thru butter and create a decent chance , takes us fucking minutes to do something most of the time
Pep very often changes a winning team, why?
I've loved Pep and he's been our greatest manager but he has always had these weaknesses in my opinion. Unfortunately with a depleted squad and uncertain future of many at the club, these weaknesses are causing issues. The standard of the Prem isn't great this year, its the only thing keeping us near the top

No plan B, overthinking, using subs poorly, shit on corners, can't defend, boring football.
Incredible how Saturday was the 1st league game we've lost in 2024.
Ask yourself this- why would every single other team in the world be prepared to take him on tomorrow if he became available.
This time last year Rodri missed 3 games which we lost and everyone was saying we wouldn't win the league. The year before we were 8 points behind Arsenal .Both years we won it, 4 in a row- never been done before and probably won't again. I'm confident he'll make it 5, if he doesn't i'm doubly sure he'll beat Pellegrini's 4th place which he inherited. Arsenal have had 2 decent years in the league, won nothing- a couple of injuries and they've imploded. I know who the dippers are scared of.

[Scatman]

I think we'll win the league again. 5 times in a row would probably never be matched or beaten.

And saying pep is useless unless we're at full strength is probably the thickest thing I've ever heard on here. When you think about how many fucking stupid things that has been said on here over the years, that really is saying something.

I'll put it down to personal hatred.

There can be no other plausible explanation

Pep doesn't have a plan B. The nearest thing I saw to a tactical change was against Sparta Prague, ( playing backwards to suck out their defence then breaking at pace)
Pep uses subs poorly often making changes too late
Pep is guilty of overthinking in big games, losing them when we have been the better team
PEP cannot attack or defend corners, we don't convert enough and we sure as shit can't defend
If Pep wants to play tippy tappy in the last 30 yds, for fuck sake work out how to defend when we lose possession.
Far too many teams can cut through us like a hot knife thru butter and create a decent chance , takes us fucking minutes to do something most of the time
Pep very often changes a winning team, why?
I've loved Pep and he's been our greatest manager but he has always had these weaknesses in my opinion. Unfortunately with a depleted squad and uncertain future of many at the club, these weaknesses are causing issues. The standard of the Prem isn't great this year, its the only thing keeping us near the top

No plan B, overthinking, using subs poorly, shit on corners, can't defend, boring football.
Incredible how Saturday was the 1st league game we've lost in 2024.
Ask yourself this- why would every single other team in the world be prepared to take him on tomorrow if he became available.
This time last year Rodri missed 3 games which we lost and everyone was saying we wouldn't win the league. The year before we were 8 points behind Arsenal .Both years we won it, 4 in a row- never been done before and probably won't again. I'm confident he'll make it 5, if he doesn't i'm doubly sure he'll beat Pellegrini's 4th place which he inherited. Arsenal have had 2 decent years in the league, won nothing- a couple of injuries and they've imploded. I know who the dippers are scared of.

That's more like it

[johnny crossan]

We've been teetering for weeks and finally fell off the edge on Saturday. No panic, the climb back to the top starts tonight.