Match Thread | Bournemouth vs. Manchester City (19/05/26)

[bg1968]

Our midfield looks leggy , three of our older players trying to stop a lively team , we need O'Reilly and Cherki in the middle for Bernardo and Kovacic , bring on Gvardiol at left back , we havent really had a goal threat but neither have Bournemouth , just a one-off pot shot at goal and its gone in.
We need to slow the game down , they are dictating the pace ,and we need more physicality in midfield , its the last chance saloon for the league , so Pep needs to work his magic ,

 

[Ajm1985]

That midfield was a mistake, just easily passed through and not offering enough going forward

 

[tornandfrayed]

Is what it is. Bournemouth have been fantastic. We look knackered and out of ideas. Get Phil and Cherki on and go for it.

That's probably because we are knackered. Bournemouth haven't played for 10 days.

 

[wattle]

That’s one hell of a theory even by normal matchday forum standards

Lol. I wasn’t actually saying I think that was the plan you spanner. The words “it’s almost as if” might have made that clear ;)

 

[balotellishaircut]

Can we sign Kroupe?

Can he play 3 games in a week ?

 

[sh249]

Has to make changes. Now, not in 15-20 minutes.
Cherki for Kovacic is a no brainer. I’d be tempted to throw on Foden and Gvardiol as well.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

I honestly watch us and wonder what the fuck we actually do in training. Does anyone have idea what the tactics are here? It’s fucking abysmal.

The midfield is fucking pointless. It doesn’t defend and it doesn’t attack. If it’s not playing 5 yard passes sideways and backwards, it’s not doing anything, Don’t even get me started on how easy they are to play through.

Semenyo might be good at back heels from 6 yards but the rest of his game is fucking terrible.

We need big changes here. We have to go for it. Might as well lose by 4 than carry on with this negative, boring shite. Get Cherki and Foden on. Keep Semenyo and Doku wide and give ourselves a chance.

I often post that I think the team don't train enough ( the weeks there is the sniff of a break, all off on holiday). Need to train tactics, deadbolt etc.

 

[BLUEBOY67]

Pep out

Ha ha - I was going to post that with all the usual negative comments on here. Most correct though. New era incoming - fingers crossed we can keep the winning ways

 

[Beanhead]

The worst fixture we could have wished for at this point in the title charge. Bournemouth are a great team in even better form. That said, score next and I feel we’ll be able to nick it.

 

[madloaf]

Don’t think Maresca (if it is him) is going to stray too far from what we’re seeing.
It’ll be more of the same.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

 

[christened at st marks]

Phil hits form and is then ignored

 

[heslops barnet]

The state.

We’ve a few players who just aren’t good enough I’m afraid

 

[alexmcity]

Khusanov's reading of the situation and positioning for their goal is poor. Should use more his brain and rely less on his legs.

 

[kanovic]

Right up until the Everton draw Pep had found a lineup that got us right in the title chase. We looked dangerous and capable of scoring a lot of goals. Why he has reverted to shoehorning firstly Marmoush and now Kovacic into a well balanced team is beyond me.

In a game we need to win we haven't created enough.

Bc he is pep. Always does it.. no doubt the greatest ever imo but he thinks to much

 

[gingerprince]

Was coming...

Bournemouth move the ball so much quicker in transition than us. Their forwards come away from the defenders to pick up the ball. The next attacker is already moving to receive the ball. They play to not have to engage a defender they just pass it around us and shoot when close to goal. In comparison Haaland spends all his time grappling with a defender...so never free to accept a pass where he can get a shot off.
Only time we moved ball quickly was Semenyo
offside but its what we need to do more of.
Rodri is a mile off being match fit and their quick passing is causing problems for lack of pace in Kovacic.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

6 fucking passes from the edge of the box to the back of our net

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Stupid to blame fatigue when you'd got Foden, Dias, Reijnders, Marmoush, Cherki, Savinho and Gvardiol on the bench. Could easily have played 4 or 5 of those. The whole point of having a squad is to get you through periods like this.

 

[give it to gordon]

I find Semenyo like Grealish, I just cant take to him.

 

[IcriedwhenTueartleft]

I think Bernardo has hit a brick wall in the last month

 

[Frankie lad]

Bernardo had a couple of decent performances in big games which have distorted the fact he has been utter wank for 2 years.

The least effective player on the pitch every week, I don't care if he pops up in 8 different positions over the 90 minutes.

Probably the silliest thing I’ve read in ages.