Bournemouth (H): Post Match

[RichC]

It's as if a clean sheet / win has to mean unbridled joy and no criticism of any kind is allowed. It does nothing but stifle discussion and discourage others from posting, even though there's clearly plenty of issues with the team and plenty to discuss.

I don't think you like people disagreeing with you tbh, it's not boring when you don't debate but make comments like happy clappers - how condescending is that ? Nobody has said we were amazing BUT based on the performances so far in defence we've done well not amazing but no goals, 6 points and hopefully a bit of confidence is something to build on.

Using words like terrifying is way OTT and based on past performance rather than the here and now.

Debate is good deriding people as happy clappers as they have a differing opinion is childish and tedious


Team obviously needs work and hasn't clicked yet

[Shaggy]

I have absolutely no qualms with people disagreeing with me - it's the stamping down on any discussion with flippant, pissy remarks that I don't like. There is discussion to be had so let it be had rather than sneering at anyone who isn't entirely positive.

[RedReet]

Re: Lallana

He’s been poor in those first two games no doubt, but he has worked hard defensively and that will probably work in his favour. Here are his defensive stats compared to Ibe.

For Stoke (Lallana left, Ibe Right)
Ball recoveries: 6 – 3
Tackles: 2/5 – 0/0
Interceptions: 1 – 0
Blocks: 0 – 0
Clearances: 0 – 0
Headed clearances: 0 – 0
Aerial duels: 2/3 – 0/1

For Bournemouth:
Ball recoveries: 4-3
Tackles: 5/10 – 0/0
Interceptions 2 - 0
Blocks: 0 – 0
Clearances: 4/4 – 0
Headed clearances: 2/2 – 0
Aerial duels: 1/2 – 1/1


So over the two games, he’s made 10 ball recoveries, attempted 15 tackles, winning 7, made 3 interceptions and 4 clearances. That’s quite a lot of defensive work for an attacking midfielder.

That being said, he’s still not been good enough and bar a 10 minute spell last night when he looked like his usual self, we need more.

[Shaggy]

Re: Lallana

He’s been poor in those first two games no doubt, but he has worked hard defensively and that will probably work in his favour. Here are his defensive stats compared to Ibe.

For Stoke (Lallana left, Ibe Right)
Ball recoveries: 6 – 3
Tackles: 2/5 – 0/0
Interceptions: 1 – 0
Blocks: 0 – 0
Clearances: 0 – 0
Headed clearances: 0 – 0
Aerial duels: 2/3 – 0/1

For Bournemouth:
Ball recoveries: 4-3
Tackles: 5/10 – 0/0
Interceptions 2 - 0
Blocks: 0 – 0
Clearances: 4/4 – 0
Headed clearances: 2/2 – 0
Aerial duels: 1/2 – 1/1


So over the two games, he’s made 10 ball recoveries, attempted 15 tackles, winning 7, made 3 interceptions and 4 clearances. That’s quite a lot of defensive work for an attacking midfielder.

That being said, he’s still not been good enough and bar a 10 minute spell last night when he looked like his usual self, we need more.

It's his effectiveness in the final third that's starting to bother me - he's beginning to look all style and little substance. I like him, he's talented and works hard, and I thought he would come really good with a full pre-season behind him. Still early days obviously but I think he has to start improving - goals and assists - pretty sharpish.

[Norbs]

One thing that really impressed me about Benteke was how much ground he covered and how determined he was to win the ball. He looked better with the ball on the ground, made evident with a couple of decent one twos with Coutinho, yet the script hadn't been read by Skrtel and Lovren who insisted on pumping the ball long to him up on his own. He dealt with it but had no support so the exercise was pointless

[RedReet]

I think a lot of the negative comments made after the first two matches, have been fair enough, only a blind man would argue we've played well. The thing is, with certain posters you know if we won 5-0 both times, they'd still be moaning and making the same points.

[Rich]

Worth looking at the Opta average position for Lallana last night, his average was really deep and central. With his lack of pace he needs to be higher up the pitch to be effective IMO.

[RedReet]

It's his effectiveness in the final third that's starting to bother me - he's beginning to look all style and little substance. I like him, he's talented and works hard, and I thought he would come really good with a full pre-season behind him. Still early days obviously but I think he has to start improving - goals and assists - pretty sharpish.

Agreed.

I'd like to argue that our current style isn't suiting him, he thrives on short, sharp passing, not long balls to Benteke. I still think there is some element of truth in that, but by teh same token, it certainly hasn't hampered Coutinho, therefore Lallana can have no excuses.

[gratziani]

Lallana always looks dangerous around the box but never see him in it for us. It looks like we are definitely bedding too many players at times and they are getting used to each others runs / positions at times.

Big plusses for me are Clyne and Milner never stop working , running or covering other players and also seem to always offer for the ball to team mates as well .

[Norbs]

I reckon he's not as naturally fit as some top players and it's hampering him. I'm worried about it actually

[RichC]

Worth looking at the Opta average position for Lallana last night, his average was really deep and central. With his lack of pace he needs to be higher up the pitch to be effective IMO.

Interesting point, wonder if he was asked to play a bit deeper after the Henderson injury. Certainly not his natural game and you'd hope that if Henderson is out for the Arsenal game we'd see Lucas coming into the squad at the very least.

[RichC]

I have absolutely no qualms with people disagreeing with me - it's the stamping down on any discussion with flippant, pissy remarks that I don't like. There is discussion to be had so let it be had rather than sneering at anyone who isn't entirely positive.

We are debating but calling people happy clappers is just as flippant as what you're talking about.

Nobody has to agree on everything and we all see things differently on the pitch.

[The_weatherman]

We are debating but calling people happy clappers is just as flippant as what you're talking about.

Nobody has to agree on everything and we all see things differently on the pitch.

It's rare though that posts like the one that Shaggy was refering to get clamped on, those posts are put out to get a reaction from posters like me who are not totally convinced about things and when we react we get told off. It's a tad annoying.

[Lecter]

Lovren will be found out against Arsenal. All it takes is anybody with average pace to get him one on one and they just seem to breeze past, Like Callum Wilson, who got to the by-line so easily.

Gomez was great again but you can't expect any fullback to never let a man get behind them, it happens from time to time. And if it does Lovren is fecked.

Milners defensive game was incredible, easily must be one of the fittest players in the league.

Clyne is making such a huge difference and Benteke was awesome with everything he was given, he still needs better supply though.

Agree with most of this particularly the Lovren, Milner & Gomez thing

Gomez looks a real prospect imo, I think hes covering an enormous amount for Lovren but Bournemouth still got down the sides a few times and once again it exposed Lovrens gross inadequacies

Milner worked his bollocks off second half

I thought for the period of about 5 minutes before our goal till the end of the first half we played ok, there was some stuff nearly coming off

Second half I thought we were very poor, lacked energy, threat and cohesion

Good results so far but for me still a lot of questions left unanswered

[Lecter]

I thought Lovren was awful in the first half last night. He's terrifying. Skrtel hasn't been much better either. They're both too eager and too erratic - neither offers any kind of calmness either with or without the ball and I don't see any sort of partnership. I also think we're missing Sakho's ability to start attacks with his bold passing.

Its the getting down the sides with Lovren that worries me

Watch when he steps out of the width of the penalty box, there you should clear, take the man win the ball yet he constantly jockeys and then gets exposed for pace.