Match Day Stoke v Bournemouth, Saturday 19th November 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Well after a string of good results that had us flying, the Premier League duly dumped us on our arse with consecutive tepid performances and defeats against Boro and Sunderland. The latter of which was particularly hard to fathom, as despite looking disjointed, we still missed a host of chances, and eventually lost to 10 men.

Perhaps the good run took a lot out of the tank, that might explain the lethargy in those last couple of games, and perhaps the international period will play to our advantage. As a lot of our squad (being mostly English) aren't full internationals, a rest might top up the energy levels.

Stoke away however is not a fixture Bournemouth traditionally look forward to. We've had plenty of run-ins down the years when both clubs were decent third tier sides, and I think we've lost the last 6 up there.

Last season up there was a very tough day for various reasons. The collapse and death of lifelong club servant Mick Cunningham at Stoke last season will be in all our thoughts. There was Callum Wilson's injury, as well as the nature of the defeat in which Jack Butland was exceptional.

Stoke have so much talent in the forward areas, if they click they're going to be very hard to stop. They started poorly but have picked up significantly. I would certainly take a draw now. Get some of that zip and aggression back to our play and we can cause anyone problems, but keeping Stoke out at the other end could be a different matter.

We're entering a very tough run of games between now and the new year, making defeats against Boro and Sunderland all the more alarming. If we don't take something away from this, then we're likely to slip down the table sharpish.

Some selection decisions for Howe. King or Wilson as the striker? Wilson is still recovering his full pace, but is more likely to score if chances come. King offers more pace and aggression right now, but needs to miss chances before he'll score. Wilshere should slot back into number 10, and as good as he is at play-making, he needs to start taking the numerous chances he gets each game. He hits the woodwork literally every week. And fuck knows which Jordon Ibe will turn up - the livewire or the moron? Hopefully Stanislas will return to bring some reliable delivery of chances.

I'll be there hoping for the best.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Strange game of football.

First half we deserved a lead, but weirdly we didn't get the clear penalty the ref appeared to give and then change his mind, but we scored a scrappy header. The sort of goal Bournemouth just don't score.

Second half Stoke kept coming and coming at us, but we stood up to them. They were given a pen that was rather daft of us to give away, cos he was going away fron goal, but they missed it anyway. And beyond that we never really looked like conceding, which is hugely strange because we always looks like conceding.

We'll take those scrappy points glady. And Stoke on that showing are going to be in trouble this season.

 

[MJA]

And Stoke on that showing are going to be in trouble this season.

You know how to make a guy happy don't you Mark

 

[AFCB_Mark]

You know how to make a guy happy don't you Mark

Sorry MJA! I am surprised given the attacking talent you have how (mostly) calm we were. Trying to defend a lead against Allen, Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic - we should have been having kittens trying to contain that for the entire second half and we certainly do panic against lesser talents.

For Stoke I guess they either had an off day and will come good next up at Watford, or they have a wider issue with figuring out how to get the best from them?

 

[MJA]

Sorry MJA! I am surprised given the attacking talent you have how (mostly) calm we were. Trying to defend a lead against Allen, Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic - we should have been having kittens trying to contain that for the entire second half and we certainly do panic against lesser talents.

For Stoke I guess they either had an off day and will come good next up at Watford, or they have a wider issue with figuring out how to get the best from them?

I'm a Vale fan Mark, my original post was factual about me being happy

 

[MJA]

Sorry MJA! I am surprised given the attacking talent you have how (mostly) calm we were. Trying to defend a lead against Allen, Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic - we should have been having kittens trying to contain that for the entire second half and we certainly do panic against lesser talents.

For Stoke I guess they either had an off day and will come good next up at Watford, or they have a wider issue with figuring out how to get the best from them?

Despite not being a Stoke fan, I said weeks ago that Stoke fans were now seeing the reality of bringing in a load of players other clubs don't want. The likes of Shaqiri, Bojan and Arnautovic (along with others) were only ever interested in signing for club like Stoke so that they could try and put themselves in the shop window and attract the attention of bigger clubs. Now they have realised this isn't working, they are simply dragging themselves through matches without effecting games how Stoke fans (and maybe fans of other clubs) would expect.

Before the last couple of weeks, I would have suggested that there is enough shit in the PL to help keep Stoke above the danger zone - particularly as it seemed that Hull and Sunderland had simply given up - but as teams around them have started to pick up points recently it might yet be a difficult season for Stoke.

As for Bournemouth, when I saw them early in the season, it seemed that '2nd season syndrome' was going to affect them but fair play to Howe, he has got your lot going and it is looking like it will be another successful season. Can't remember who it was doing the Sky reporting yesterday, but he was raving about Callum Wilson's performance so I am guessing it is a very big blessing to not just have him back, but also to have him reaching the levels he was at before that horrendous injury?

 

[rudebwoyben]

Stoke's penalty didn't look like one to me.

 

[Super_horns]

Certainly played for it didn't he!

 

[PDS]

Roger East with potentially the most shocking refereeing performance I have ever seen on Saturday. Wrong calls you can understand, it's when refs make calls that seem to have no logic to them that the mind boggles.
We can laugh about it now, but you will never see a clearer penalty than Wilson, shocking call. Not to mention Bony should have picked up a second yellow (Bizarrely didn't make the MOTD highlights).

Great win for us though, it's certainly balanced out the loss against Sunderland. We found an ugly side that we often lack in grinding results out.
Ake has to keep his place after his all round performance, let alone the goal. Bit of a headache for Eddie with Arsenal next week meaning no Wilshere too.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

I'm yet to see any replays, hopefully catch up tonight, but at the time I thought Stoke's pen was a 50/50, sometimes given and sometimes not. I mostly thought it was a stupid challenge to make and risk on our part, because he didn't pose any immediate threat on goal. But if that was as suspect and dodgy as I've heard, then it makes the first half Wilson incident even more of a joke. A clearer penalty I haven't seen in a long time. So clear we en-mass just assumed it was a given and started cheering for a second, and were baffled when play just continued.

And if given it would also have been a potential red card (although I know that rule has been relaxed).

We certainly have to work very hard to get a significant decision go our way at the moment. Tottenham Lamela and Sissoko incidents, Boro's keeper, now Shawcross and Bony etc. Strange run of game changing bottled decisions we're on. I guess the Sunderland red card was some comeuppance, but even that didn't help us! Maybe we're due a dodgy stoppage time penalty at Arsenal...? I doubt it..

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Despite not being a Stoke fan, I said weeks ago that Stoke fans were now seeing the reality of bringing in a load of players other clubs don't want. The likes of Shaqiri, Bojan and Arnautovic (along with others) were only ever interested in signing for club like Stoke so that they could try and put themselves in the shop window and attract the attention of bigger clubs. Now they have realised this isn't working, they are simply dragging themselves through matches without effecting games how Stoke fans (and maybe fans of other clubs) would expect.

Before the last couple of weeks, I would have suggested that there is enough shit in the PL to help keep Stoke above the danger zone - particularly as it seemed that Hull and Sunderland had simply given up - but as teams around them have started to pick up points recently it might yet be a difficult season for Stoke.

As for Bournemouth, when I saw them early in the season, it seemed that '2nd season syndrome' was going to affect them but fair play to Howe, he has got your lot going and it is looking like it will be another successful season. Can't remember who it was doing the Sky reporting yesterday, but he was raving about Callum Wilson's performance so I am guessing it is a very big blessing to not just have him back, but also to have him reaching the levels he was at before that horrendous injury?

On Wilson, yeah he's getting there. Still for my money slightly lacking his full searing pace, although I wonder if doing more upper body work whilst his knee was bust might explain that.

 

[thespus]

Glad to see Bournemouth right the ship. Would any of the Bournemouth fans care to share some insight on Wilshere's recent performances? I know he had a few horror games at the start, he always seems to need a few games to get in tempo, which usually shades the overall narrative of his performance (well, that and the made of glass bit). His best chance at a long term Arsenal career is replacing Cazorla, i.e. being able to pass and dribble under pressure to open up space for transition. There's no secret Arsenal play their best with Cazorla as the pivot.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Glad to see Bournemouth right the ship. Would any of the Bournemouth fans care to share some insight on Wilshere's recent performances? I know he had a few horror games at the start, he always seems to need a few games to get in tempo, which usually shades the overall narrative of his performance (well, that and the made of glass bit). His best chance at a long term Arsenal career is replacing Cazorla, i.e. being able to pass and dribble under pressure to open up space for transition. There's no secret Arsenal play their best with Cazorla as the pivot.

Superb, class act, and shutting many initial skeptics up he's given total aggression and effort to the cause. Now playing 90 mins every week, and getting stuck in more and more which initially he was understandably hesitant to do. Interestingly he's been on a charm offensive as well, posting pictures online of his daughter wearing Bournemouth gear, coming over and gesturing to the crowd during games etc, gives the impression he cares a little at least, but he doesn't need to do all that.

Literally the one thing missing is a goal, he gets gilt edged chances every game and has a habit of smacking all of them against the woodwork. Has he always been like that?

His personal vendetta with the crossbar aside, the partnership he's stuck with Harry Arter in midfield is now by far our strongest area of the pitch. On paper Wilshere plays number 10, but now his confidence and fitness is there he pops up in various places creating and picking out space for our pacey players to do the rest.

Alas he's ineligible to play Arsenal this weekend of course.

 

[thespus]

Superb, class act, and shutting many initial skeptics up he's given total aggression and effort to the cause. Now playing 90 mins every week, and getting stuck in more and more which initially he was understandably hesitant to do. Interestingly he's been on a charm offensive as well, posting pictures online of his daughter wearing Bournemouth gear, coming over and gesturing to the crowd during games etc, gives the impression he cares a little at least, but he doesn't need to do all that.

Literally the one thing missing is a goal, he gets gilt edged chances every game and has a habit of smacking all of them against the woodwork. Has he always been like that?

His personal vendetta with the crossbar aside, the partnership he's stuck with Harry Arter in midfield is now by far our strongest area of the pitch. On paper Wilshere plays number 10, but now his confidence and fitness is there he pops up in various places creating and picking out space for our pacey players to do the rest.

Alas he's ineligible to play Arsenal this weekend of course.

Cheers!
The charm offensive doesn't surprise me. He's, for better and worse, a loyalist to his cause. His clear passion for Arsenal has likely given him a longer leash with fans than would otherwise be granted. Re: goals, well he's scored a couple goal of the year contenders and winners, but I can't see goal-scoring as a strong point for him. With Arsenal, he's usually intricate to a fault, and never played as far up the pitch as he currently is with Bournemouth. Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Cazorla (first season as the #10), and Ramsey were always more likely to get in the box or shoot from distance.

 

[PDS]

He has hit the woodwork more than any other player in the league, some of them have been outstanding efforts (Stoke on Saturday), some were sitters (Watford away from about a metre away from an open net).

The way he creates space for other player, msot notably Arter, has been really underrated part of his game. Arter is still our playmaker and he just has so much more time and space on the ball because of the work Wilshere puts in. He is a class act on the ball though and some of his passes have been a cut above. Poor finishing has left his assists tally at 0 rather than a lack of killer balls.