Bournemouth v Watford

[Whitechapel]

Match day chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

This will be an emotional day for the club, as we celebrate the life of Mick Cunningham. Decades long supporter, employee and volunteer ever present around AFCB since the 70s. Mick collapsed at the Stoke game last week and died early the next morning, aged just 55. There will be an applause in the 55th minute.

Most of the photographic record we have of Bournemouth games these last few decades are thanks to Mick's talents with a camera, and as a result there will always be a bit of Mick in the club's history books.

A difficult week has been compounded by the news that Callum Wilson will be out for "at least 6 months" following his injury at Stoke.

Currently the entire promotion spine of our side is out, between Elphick Arter and Wilson. And whilst we have replacements individually, the loss of cohesion will be stark, and Wilson especially is a hammer blow, as you'd expect. His ideal replacement would be Max Gradel, who is of course also out for the season.

So it will likely fall to Glenn Murray to lead the line, a very different type of forward to Wilson. That Murray led attack had some bright moments up at Stoke and really deserved a draw, but it will require some adjustments in the type of chances we try and create to get the best out of Murray.

Watford for their part have started pretty well on the whole this season, and must fancy themselves given the headaches here currently.

 

[Super_horns]

I think Murray could do well for you but clearly not as good as Wilson.

Probably the sort of game we will both be looking to win so reckon it will be an open game.

I'd be tempted to say a draw.

Hopefully we'll manage to keep 11 men on the pitch this time!

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

Bournemouth 0-1 Watford

 

[PDS]

So our first XI is noticeably weaker than last season, and Watford's looks a lot, lot stronger.

I can see a frustrating game where we adjust to playing without Wilson; Murray is a good player and has scored goals at this level but he is completely different, we will need to get the ball out wide and get the service right.
Watford on the counter attack scare me; we have been exposed countless times already this season with a lack of holding midfielder and looking at Watford's pace they could really hurt us when our attacks break down.

I think we're going to struggle to adjust tomorrow; the dream scenario is for Arter to come back in but that won't happen. Sadly I see a 0-1 loss here ahead of a tough run of Man City & Spurs.

 

[SALTIRE]

B'mouth 2 - 1 Watford

 

[Jackinky]

Bournemouth 2-0 Watford

 

[AFCB_Mark]

This season just gets more and more bizarre. A 45 mins as straight forward as we've seen with Watford's tactics of sitting so deep playing right into our hands, brilliant stuff. And then Boruc does that. You utter utter idiot.

To be fair watford being forced to come out more agressive and assertive they looked far better than when they sat back deep. Perhaps they'll now revert to sitting and defending deep again?

It worries me that we haven't seen much quality from watford at all yet.

 

[Super_horns]

Sounded like the only way we were going to score!

Murray is causing us problems and we have been poor..

 

[Jamie_SFC]

That Boruc howler doesn't surprise me one bit.

He is awful with the ball at his feet.

 

[Super_horns]

Really didn't play that well 1st half but got gifted a goal which helped us improve slightly after the break

There was the tradition penalty incident!

Sounds like Gomes did us some justice..

Draw probably the best we deserved - teams at the bottom didn't win so not bad really.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Starting the match with a new shape and attacking line up, Watford sat off us and allowed us to find out feet and get into the game. It took them ages to realise the need to press us.

Good header at the back post to take the lead. Regulation stuff.

Stoppage time first half, Boruc has one of those days. He couldn't do that in a match where it probably won't matter, like Man City next time out. No, he has to do it against Watford. Incredible.

Obviously the second half changes as a result and becomes a more even and end to end affair, low on chances for either side.

Going into the last 10 mins, our centre back has a bycicle kick from 20 yards crawled out the top corner by Gomis. Incredible stuff. And then of course a penalty (the reaction in the away end when the ref gave it was unlike anything I've ever seen). Poor spot kick from Murray, Gomis the right way saving.

All in all, the season becomes more and more daft as each week passes. With a point dropped at Stoke and 2 dropped here, it's mounting up wih all the hardest games to come.

Despite looking disjointed in attack at times, we did ok, all be it against not the best opposition we'll face. Something to work on, but a lot of work to be done.

Watford can feel pleased wih an afternoons graft and a point, Igharlo is excellent. Deeney looks quiet?

 

[Super_horns]

Deeney has only had 4 shots all season!

Ighalo is a goal poacher - to think we didn't play him till December last season!

Think we are too slow and don't get the ball into the area enough for him - seem to build from the back hence our solid defensive record (not a bad thing of course!)

Just as well the penalty didn't go in - our forum would be in meltdown!

In all fairness I think it was just an iffy decision rather than any "dive" allegation.

Probably is anyway as we didn't win...

We have Arsenal/West Ham/Stoke/Leicester and Man U soon so not exactly easy ourselves..

Hope Sunderland/Villa and Newcastle keep being rubbish...

 

[PDS]

A game lacking any real quality, it looked like two midtable Championship sides rather than Premier league teams. Not sure what's happened to Deeney over the summer but he looks about a tenth of the player.

Any goalkeeper in the world with 45 seconds to go until half time just hits that upfield. Any goalkeeper except Boruc of course

 

[PDS]

That Boruc howler doesn't surprise me one bit.

He is awful with the ball at his feet.

Capable of the horrendous and the sublime, and we normally see both in a game. He had one 20 minutes before and tried exactly the same thing.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Also important to say thanks to Watford for respecting the celebrations of Mick's life.

Boruc is the sort of keeper who'd have a day of world class saves up at City. But chances are we'd still lose even in that case.