Match Day Bournemouth v Watford, Wednesday 2 January 19:45

Super_horns

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Hopefully the football will be the main talking point rather than any decisions made which seem to affect our clashes either way!

Both teams like to attack and create chances so should be an open game.

Bournemouth fans don't seem that confident - which probably means they'll win!
 

AFCB_Mark

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We can still field a useful looking forward line, but defence and midfield are looking very dicey.

Especially if Ake is injured, having come off with a knock on Saturday. He's so important to our side that we shouldn't risk him medium or long term for the sake of tonight's game. But having already lost Smith and Francis long term from the regular back 4, and with Daniels in horrendous form currently, a defence also without Ake will be an absolute gift to Watford (and anyone else).

In midfield we're so short of central players that we've recalled 2 lads from loans: Hyndman back from Hibernian the more recognisable option. The other kid Worthington returns from League Two's Forest Green, all be it probably just to make up numbers on the bench whilst Lerma and Surman start. However Lerma is one booking away from a two match suspension, so watch out for that. Knowing how combative our games with Watford usually are, I'd say it's pretty nailed on that Lerma will get that card, as if losing another midfielder is what we need at the moment!

Given where our fragilities lie, I think we have to play a conservative and counter attacking game. As said we can still field quality in attack, Wilson, King, Brooks etc. If we can keep numbers back to try and mitigate our weak areas, and then look to spring those guys away on the counter, that might be our best chance.

I can't see how we can dictate the game against decent opposition such as Watford, as much as we'd usually like to do so at home. If we do try that, then we will inevitably make mistakes and miscommunications in dangerous areas and will concede goals.

Hopefully get through this, perhaps with a draw that'd be handy. Hang on for games in a few weeks such as West Ham, Chelsea and Cardiff, when we should have more players available and can get back on track.
 

Super_horns

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Hm.. would have taken a point but being twice ahead and not holding on is disappointing.

Mind you sounds like Foster had a blinder again 2nd half .

Sounds like we put ourselves about a bit which hasn't gone down well !
 

AFCB_Mark

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Wow, I'm knackered! Stressful, great fun, frustrating, frantic!

We played without a right back basically, as Stanislas didn't have the first clue how to play there and was constantly out of position. Didnt take Watford long to realise we weren't comfortable in that area and they would flood it with 3 or 4 players at times. It pulled the rest of the side out of shape trying to compensate, and the entire thing was a shambles at times. Opening goal demonstrated this clearly

Nathan Ake, playing despite not being fully fit, attempted valiantly to hold the ship somewhat together, but Watford were bound to and did create numerous chances. They had a 25 minute spell first half in which Watford could honestly have scored 5 comfortably.

The second goal was again pathetic defending. Ball into the box, Lerma's Watford man gives him a little push, Lerma doesn't hold his ground, and lets his man go. Ake see's this and does what he spends all his time doing, and moves in to cover a team mates fuckup. Except he doesn't quite make it, and this leaves not one but two Watford men entirely free in our box. And even then Begovic should do better with Deeneys's effort. A real clusterfuck of a goal.

But Watford fall apart so easily. Two balls into their box, two goals, just as bad as us. It was an outstanding header from Wilson to equalise, not a side to his game we often see, but looped in like prime Crespo.

Then they take the lead again immediately with a sweeping move, with us showing zero composure or professionalism having worked so hard to get level.

Then Watford leave themselves wipe open at the other end! Fraser had acres of space to score in, all with some trickery from Brooks to find him.

Second half thankfully for my nerves wasn't quite so mental, but still pretty end to end. We created the better chances, and Foster is a credit to Watford for 3 smart stops. King probably should have won it. But Watford still looked dangerous at every attack, or did we just look like screwing up at their every attack? Hard to tell.

In all the chaos Doucoure was a lucky boy to stay on the pitch. He put a borderline red card challenge in on Fraser, a 50/50 either way. Fair enough he gets away with yellow. And often it takes 3 yellow card offenses to get 2 bookings, but given the severity of the first yellow, it's surprising the ref let him off with just a warning on the next occasion. Especially when Doucoure's response to this final warning, was to throw his arm up stroppily / sarcastically at the ref. Was sure that reaction would earn him marching orders if nothing else. A wise call to immediately haul him off the pitch for Tom Cleverley.

It was a game full of incident, tackles, fouls, mistakes, drama and in patches quality. Another great chapter in the story of games between these clubs over the last 7 years.
 

Super_horns

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Yes seems Doucouré was lucky - maybe trying to get time off to work on his move to PSG!?

We'll probably get someone sent off for nothing against one of the big teams now.

At least you can excuse injuries in your defence - ours is just ropey.

Foster has saved us a few times.

Deeney seems to enjoy playing away from home more than at home - maybe just likes putting on to the home supporters!

Always something going on between us 2 - on and off the pitch!
 

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