Bournemouth (H): Post Match

[Havors]

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.

I personally feel we wont see the best of him while Coutinho is on the pitch. His game is very much like Coutinho's and they both cant play in that hole so Lallana seems to go missing for large periods of the game and struggles to get involved.

[Lecter]

Its not by luck Clyne and Gomez are covering up a lot of iffy stuff in the middle. It seems to be by design. The iffy stuff in the middle will continue to exist but the damage is now properly limited.

How many times did we despair when Gerrard allowed Mile Jedinak, Downing, etc, to own CBs because there was never any cover? Milner/Hendo now ensure that doesn't happen. And if teams targeted a 'weak' fullback (take your pick out of Johnson or Moreno) then now those positions are solid too.

I would like Sakho back asap, but that doesn't seem likely. If Moreno has finally found his form and hunger then I wouldn't mind Gomez playing next to Skrtel eventually.

Not sure I'd be quick to judge how "properly limited" the damage is

We've played Stoke and Bournemouth so far, hardly powerhouses of attacking play

Even so both sides have gotten into those areas and shown up Lovren's inability. Bournemouth got into those positions half a dozen times at least first half and a lack of quality in their delivery was all that was lacking because Lovrens was dead in the water each time

[RichC]

The thing is we're very unlikley to blown a side away this early in the season, two good results in terms of points & clean sheets. Certainly some work to be done but until we're put against the tougher sides we can only beat what's put in front of us.

So far for me it's encouraging we've kept clean sheets in a back 4, a rarity last season to say the least, Milner appears to be a decent signing & the two fullbacks we've played in Clyne and Gomez have been vast improvements on last years options.

Attacking wise we're still not there yet but I'm not sure any side I've seen this season bar Citeh have looked at it so far this season. Big Chris has looked decent and will cause teams all sorts of problems imo, Coutinho looks like Coutinho brilliance with a few arghhhh moments. Lallana and Ibe haven't looked great so far for me, Ibe I think is trying to do too much at the moment which is understandable and I'd be looking to give him a break for the Arsenal match and Lallana has just been a little bit invisible in these first two games, both are under pressure for their places now especially with Firmino getting close to starting and if he can keep himself fit Sturridge will be returning soon as well.

Nice to have some options where the players coming in are potentially better than those that have been starting for us.

[Lecter]

The thing is we're very unlikley to blown a side away this early in the season, two good results in terms of points & clean sheets. Certainly some work to be done but until we're put against the tougher sides we can only beat what's put in front of us.

So far for me it's encouraging we've kept clean sheets in a back 4, a rarity last season to say the least, Milner appears to be a decent signing & the two fullbacks we've played in Clyne and Gomez have been vast improvements on last years options.

Attacking wise we're still not there yet but I'm not sure any side I've seen this season bar Citeh have looked at it so far this season. Big Chris has looked decent and will cause teams all sorts of problems imo, Coutinho looks like Coutinho brilliance with a few arghhhh moments. Lallana and Ibe haven't looked great so far for me, Ibe I think is trying to do too much at the moment which is understandable and I'd be looking to give him a break for the Arsenal match and Lallana has just been a little bit invisible in these first two games, both are under pressure for their places now especially with Firmino getting close to starting and if he can keep himself fit Sturridge will be returning soon as well.

Nice to have some options where the players coming in are potentially better than those that have been starting for us.

You can also argue that the opposition wont be up to speed either

[RichC]

Hence the less than inspiring games of football I've seen so far of which we've still won both 1-0.

[tanner]

There's a **** load of work to do AND its early days, but I'm still far from convinced Rodgers has learnt from last season. What's the deal with Origi and Ings? If they can't get a run out against Bournemouth at home then when will they? Why after spending so much (I've lost count how much now) are we relying on a couple of kids in key areas. Where will our creativity come from if anything happens to Coutinho? Why, again at home against Bournemouth was Benteke frequently left isolated with the ball? We have, what is it £70m worth of strikers?

Yes, its early and we need to give it a few months, but those are my concerns.

[RedReet]

That was our 4th win in a row on MNF. Arsenal will be crapping themselves.

In saying that, Arsenal is a freebie for me. Even if we lose, 2/3 points ratio is still top 4 form and we just need to get back on track against West Ham.

[RichC]

Surely you wouldn't have changed the line up from the first game of the season to the next, ideally you'd have liked to see Origi and Ings but without that second goal cushion it'd have been a bit of a risk.

All fair points bar the Origi and Ings point though. It was a win and 3 points but we need to improve still.

[RichC]

That was our 4th win in a row on MNF. Arsenal will be crapping themselves.

In saying that, Arsenal is a freebie for me. Even if we lose, 2/3 points ratio is still top 4 form and we just need to get back on track against West Ham.

Aye, I think Neville made the point last night, Arsenal isn't a must win and if we lose it's not the end of the world but we'd need to bounce back against West Ham.

Getting the Stoke and Arsenal away games done early isn't a bad thing for us either.

[RedReet]

And we are hardly 'relying' on a couple of kids. They got their chance in pre-season, played well and kept their place. Exactly how it should be. Ibe will probably be dropped next game and no doubt Gomez will too once his form drops.

Of all the things to moan about...

[RedReet]

Aye, I think Neville made the point last night, Arsenal isn't a must win and if we lose it's not the end of the world but we'd need to bounce back against West Ham.

Getting the Stoke and Arsenal away games done early isn't a bad thing for us either.

Bloody Neville.

I take it back then.

Judging by some of the reactions after two wins, I dread to think what lies ahead after our first defeat.

If it does come next week though, I'll be on holibobs, blissfully unaware if I can stay away from my phone.

[Buzzo]

Some really valid concerns and points good and bad raised.

I must admit I thought we rode our luck last night. They deserved a goal and ours shouldn't have stood. For 10 minutes we let Matt Ritchie have about 5 shots on target, one which hit the post and you wonder how a team with more options up front might have got on against us. Defensively we look nervous, ok 2 clean sheets, but I just don't see the 2 centre backs or goal keeper as long term solutions you can build a trophy winning team around. I am happy to give Lovren, but all of the signs and habits that were his undoing last season seem to still be present. He is rash at times, uncertain at others. He still looks an accident waiting to happen.

I also agree that it is challenging to work out how to post on here currently if you don't share in the general optimism. It's too early for me to say either way. Bournemouth had so many players I've never heard of and the game felt quite like a cup tie, but one we should be expecting to win. Easily.

The jury remains out for me.

[The_weatherman]

Surely you wouldn't have changed the line up from the first game of the season to the next, ideally you'd have liked to see Origi and Ings but without that second goal cushion it'd have been a bit of a risk.

All fair points bar the Origi and Ings point though. It was a win and 3 points but we need to improve still.

Don't see why we shouldn't make changes between games, would have wanted Can and Firmino get some minutes at home.

But I agree with Redreet, the pressure is all on Arsenal on Monday, even if we lost we are level with them and have played two tough away games, and ahead of Chelsea no matter what

[tanner]

And we are hardly 'relying' on a couple of kids. They got their chance in pre-season, played well and kept their place. Exactly how it should be. Ibe will probably be dropped next game and no doubt Gomez will too once his form drops.

Of all the things to moan about...

The point I'm making is against Brendan's outlay. There's nothing wrong with Gomez at the moment, I think he's doing really well, Ibe on the other hand had a very poor game and I'm not sure he should be starting at all. However, based on our expenditure, we really shouldn't be relying on a couple of kids to start premier league games in key area's. At this stage in their career they should be filling in. It simply exposes Brendan's transfer history.

[Buzzo]

Aye, I think Neville made the point last night, Arsenal isn't a must win and if we lose it's not the end of the world but we'd need to bounce back against West Ham.

Getting the Stoke and Arsenal away games done early isn't a bad thing for us either.

One good thing is that winning our first 2 games, no matter the performances eases the pressure against Arsenal. We should be relaxed and able to go there looking for a result.