Bournemouth (H): Post Match

[Alex]

So that graphic tells us everything about Lovren and at the same time, nothing?

[Fosterbloke]

It was Lovren's side but it was also Gomez's and Lallana's. The fact the chances are small dots means he wasn't totally gash.

[el matador]

Its chances created and rating them in terms of the quality of chances (larger the dot the better the chance)

As the graphic clearly shows most of Bournemouths best chances came down Lovrens side

maybe they were targeting gomez as hes the least experienced and the only 1 of the back 4 being played out of position next to lovren.

Bournemouth tactics were very good when they played us. They intelligently used pressing traps against gomez on the left hand side especially in the second half which meant that we had no choice but to launch the ball into benteke from deep.

the problem is that our midfield has to cover all the space between the defence and benteke which is about 60 yards. they couldnt do it - its impossible, and we werent close to benteke's knockdowns. the ball kept coming back at us.

Lecter is right, they did target our left hand side and very well. they had a gameplan which they implemented well. whereas i couldnt see what ours was. Again, agree completely with the poster who said that ibe and lallana arent a goal theat at all. Lallana in particular seems to be the only player in the world who cruyff turns himself into trouble.

Eddie howe is a decent young manager and he showed that on monday night against a very strong premier league team. Bournemouth deserve a lot of credit for that performance. Still plenty for us to do with arsenal coming up but 6/6 is a good start.

[wiw]

Stoke absolutely targeted Gomez, they played Walters right on him and i lost count of the diagonal 'passes' (hoofs) up to him.

[Norbs]

Extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant

Cheers Pel

[McDermotX]

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2015-16/aug/210815-guidance-on-new-interpretation-of-offside-rule.html

The Premier League has this week written to its clubs to clarify the new interpretation of the offside law decided by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) this summer.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) issued this guidance in order to clear up any misunderstandings that arose following the goal awarded to Liverpool in their Monday night match against AFC Bournemouth.

New guidance issued around offside law >>

The Premier League does not generally comment on decisions made by match officials. However, given the recent change to the interpretation of the offside law and the fact that it was made close to the start of the season, the League felt it was appropriate, in this instance, to publish in order to inform fans and other stakeholders.

Offside – Interfering with an opponent

Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
Clear attempt to play the ball by Red10 (stretches with right leg in an attempt to play the ball), no contact is made with the ball, but the ball is close to Red10.
Red10's actions impact on an opponent, in this case the goalkeeper (goalkeeper needs to delay his action to wait and see if the attacking player in an offside position touches/plays the ball).

Expected outcome: Offside offence

[Vermilion]

Don't the FA know Coutinho's name ?

[McDermotX]

Sounds like a marketing opportunity for Phil .......

Red10 on his boots, his twitter, his merchandise etc etc

Just like that RS7 fella, and that lesser known CR7 lad who jumped on the bandwagon.

[frank the tank]

It may have been mentioned elsewhere. But......

Last night Benteke was the lone front man. Ibe was wide left and mainly stayed there to stretch the play and give us width. He was asked to track back. Lallana was behind Benteke, but so far back it was obvious he was more of a midfield player as opposed to being an attacker or number ten. More a number 8 if you like.

Then there was Coutinho. Placed on the right but license to come central and he very rarely tracked back. Although Lallana was positioned behind Benteke, clearly it's Phil who was given instruction to support more than Adam.

Before I go on, have to say Milner was incredible in helping out Clyne support the right hand side. His energy allowed us to leave Phil forward. Anyway.....

Did anyone notice that the shots always fell onto Phils left foot? Well imagine this now: Coutinho where Lallana was. Sturridge where Phil was. I seriously think this is what the plan is. Of course dependant on who we play we may switch this up, maybe Can playing in midfield and Phil moving into the front three, but I see the idea and i have to say I like the sound of it.

Carragher pointed it out after the game the other night where he talked about Coutinho's position.

I think if everyone was fit and integrated into the squad properly, then i think the plan will be to have a 3 man midfield of Hendo, Milner and Coutinho (a lot of energy there) and a front 3 of Firmino, Sturridge and Benteke (a lot of goals / movement there). If Coutinho continues on his path to becoming the best player in the league, then he will have a field day with all of those players making space and runs in front of him. And Milner and Henderson will have the game intelligence, communication skills and above all stamina - to take turns to run beyond the ball and join the attack as well.

With Emre Can joining in when there is another body in midfield required (and Coutinho playing slightly further forward) then we have loads of options. When you consider the likes of Ibe, Lallana and Markovic in the reckoning as well - and we have the potential to get to the point where it is very hard to improve our first team. I actually think if the club made a concious effort to sack off the Europa / CapOne Cups and really go for the league, then with luck with injuries / suspensions, then we could surprise people and challenge this year. If we are within 10 points of the top on xmas day, then i would actually fancy our chances to be honest...

[Fosterbloke]

Even I'm not that optimistic! I reckon we can be within 10 points at Christmas but in no position to go for the title. 4 points minimum for me.

[McDermotX]

[ame]https://twitter.com/JamesPearceEcho/status/635007540397522944[/ame]

OK Brendan