CanaryOnTheWire
New Member
Let me start by saying that I thought this was another good performance. Bournemouth are a side who can patiently keep the ball and Tettey /Johnson were again fantastic in closing down the space along with terrier like work from Wes. It forced Bournemouth to play in front of our back four as they were often intercepted before they could release the through-ball.
When we intercepted and went on the attack the main issue was sloppiness in terms of ball control. Lewis Grabban in particular for all his wonderful goal scoring has a poor first touch and wayward pass- but he can be forgiven for that if he continues to score in this way.
Though playing Lafferty as a wide target man has it's merits in terms of offering an aerial outlet- and my does he work hard- we can't commit defenders down both flanks so our only passing lanes into the box end up being left sided through Wes. The lack of pace fails to commit defenders on the right so teams know they can come across and squeeze us off the ball as a switch to Whittaker is not as devastating as a switch to Redmond can be.
Redmond himself produced a couple of excellent crosses- one obviously an assist, but he looked very tentative when one on one with his full back and so I have to question his mentality at present. Also, while Garrido sold him up the river by closing down too high for Wilson's equaliser, Nathan was far too static, clearly a rabbit in headlights as Francis coasted past him with ease.
In conclusion, we were too sloppy too often going forwards- we should not have switched off, should not have conceded- as for all their possession Bournemouth created precious little thanks to Wes/BJ/Tettey, and did deserve a narrow three points.
Ratings
Ruddy 7 - no chance for the goal little else to do
Whittaker 8 - Awesome in the tackle, great runs
Martin 7 - Relatively untroubled, tidy and unafraid to launch attacks.
Turner 8- The stopper was supreme with block tackles and great in the air as usual.
Garrido 6- A few good tackles and got forward well but let down his wing partner with over zealous pressing.
Tettey 8 - An absolute wall, energy and commitment in abundance. Recovered well when he made mistakes
Johnson 8- See Tettey, good effort from free kick too
Redmond 7- Escapes a 6 by virtue of two great crosses, but where his head was the rest of the time I do not know.
Hoolahan 7 - Controversial one, worked tirelessly and is talismanic but was typically guilty of overplaying
Lafferty 7- Lungs in abundance. Lacks a little bit of composure and discipline. Would be tempted to replace with Murphy at home just to see if we can stretch and commit defences better on the right
Grabban 7- Well taken goal, full of running, could have done a lot more in terms of link play, which was let down by sloppy control and passing.
Subs:
Murphy 6- Lively, commits defenders well and tackles back in a way that belies his age. Still waiting for someone to justify playing him instead of Redmond though. A couple of poor deliveries (one corner, one cross) when quality was needed.
Jerome 6- Looks a strong if unspectacular asset. Nearly buried a header (deflected)
When we intercepted and went on the attack the main issue was sloppiness in terms of ball control. Lewis Grabban in particular for all his wonderful goal scoring has a poor first touch and wayward pass- but he can be forgiven for that if he continues to score in this way.
Though playing Lafferty as a wide target man has it's merits in terms of offering an aerial outlet- and my does he work hard- we can't commit defenders down both flanks so our only passing lanes into the box end up being left sided through Wes. The lack of pace fails to commit defenders on the right so teams know they can come across and squeeze us off the ball as a switch to Whittaker is not as devastating as a switch to Redmond can be.
Redmond himself produced a couple of excellent crosses- one obviously an assist, but he looked very tentative when one on one with his full back and so I have to question his mentality at present. Also, while Garrido sold him up the river by closing down too high for Wilson's equaliser, Nathan was far too static, clearly a rabbit in headlights as Francis coasted past him with ease.
In conclusion, we were too sloppy too often going forwards- we should not have switched off, should not have conceded- as for all their possession Bournemouth created precious little thanks to Wes/BJ/Tettey, and did deserve a narrow three points.
Ratings
Ruddy 7 - no chance for the goal little else to do
Whittaker 8 - Awesome in the tackle, great runs
Martin 7 - Relatively untroubled, tidy and unafraid to launch attacks.
Turner 8- The stopper was supreme with block tackles and great in the air as usual.
Garrido 6- A few good tackles and got forward well but let down his wing partner with over zealous pressing.
Tettey 8 - An absolute wall, energy and commitment in abundance. Recovered well when he made mistakes
Johnson 8- See Tettey, good effort from free kick too
Redmond 7- Escapes a 6 by virtue of two great crosses, but where his head was the rest of the time I do not know.
Hoolahan 7 - Controversial one, worked tirelessly and is talismanic but was typically guilty of overplaying
Lafferty 7- Lungs in abundance. Lacks a little bit of composure and discipline. Would be tempted to replace with Murphy at home just to see if we can stretch and commit defences better on the right
Grabban 7- Well taken goal, full of running, could have done a lot more in terms of link play, which was let down by sloppy control and passing.
Subs:
Murphy 6- Lively, commits defenders well and tackles back in a way that belies his age. Still waiting for someone to justify playing him instead of Redmond though. A couple of poor deliveries (one corner, one cross) when quality was needed.
Jerome 6- Looks a strong if unspectacular asset. Nearly buried a header (deflected)
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