Match Day Bournemouth v Huddersfield, Saturday 18th November 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

3 wins in 5 games now in all comps has brightened the place up a bit, and for about the first time this season we've clawed our way out of the bottom 3 (by the skin of our teeth). I'm liking the look of a Callum Wilson/Josh King strike partnership, it was a catalyst up at Newcastle for the whole side to press up a gear in the second half. I hope to see more of that.

Huddersfield are a bit of an unknown quantity in their current guise, although we've shared a lot of recent history. Between tight League One playoff games, and thumping wins apiece in the Championship, it's usually a decent game between us. Will be interested to see Mooy if he's fit to start after international duty, heard/read a lot about him. Depoitre up front sounds like exactly the sort of forward we'll struggle to deal with in our box. Martin Cranie is a name I haven't seen in a while.

 

[AnkleBiter]

I'd be chuffed with a point here but I'm not too confident. We're without Schindler, probably our best player, with our 3rd and 4th choice CB's out injured, meaning we'll have to turn to Martin Cranie! Certainly not a name anyone thought they'd ever see in a Premier League starting XI. In fairness, he's always been super reliable whenever we've had to call on him, but Schindler is a huge loss. I also doubt we'll see Mooy starting, he'll probably be on the bench and come on in the 2nd half as happened in a similar situation at Swansea a few weeks ago.

Since our 3-0 win at Palace we've been poor away from home. We don't seem to know how to deal with it and have often resorted to being overly defensive which doesn't suit us. We've had a while to prepare for this though so hopefully Wagner will surprise me, again.

Neither of us have scored many goals this season, so I think this is a pretty solid bet to be last on MOTD!

Now, time for a flashback to this classic

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Table looks a lot nicer than it did a few weeks back suddenly.

Huddersfield were in parts impressive. Came out the traps flying, which is usually our trick especially at home. For them to reverse our normal routine shows their quality in pressing and hassling. They missed two gilt edged opportunities in the first 15 minutes. And I think it's the sort of thing that gets punished up here (we've certainly been on the end of it).

Two set pieces later, we're 2 up. A corner headed in near post by Wilson, the second more bizarre when a free kick was floated in and left by all Huddersfield defenders, Wilson in acres of space to finish at the back post.

Some controversy involved in the first as Huddersfield had 10 men to defend with after a Daniels tackle resulted in treatment being required. Huddersfield were furious at ref Lee Probert, and he quickly lost control of the situation.

Previously letting the game flow, he now blew up for everything and gave bookings out all over the shop.

To end the half the controversy reversed, as Francis (being roasted all half) got himself a second booking, the foul given after the ref had initially let play continue, before changing his mind.

If the first half was mostly Huddersfield only to find themselves behind, the second half started even more in their favour. Corner after corner after free kick had to be headed away.

Thankfully on the break we now have King and Wilson, just a lethal mix of strength and pace. And clinical with it. Wilson constantly battling and constantly deserving of more from a referee Probert who wasn't going to give him a decision all night against Jorgensen.

Capitalising on a poor pass and robbing possession in a crucial area gave Arter his goal. Before Wilson finished his hattrick, setup and laid on a plate by King. Wilson should have grabbed a 4th later, but that would have been greedy.

Huddersfield have plenty they're good at and plenty to like. They bossed midfield for large periods with a very awkward formation to play against, and a bunch of players full of aggression and energy. Unfortunately they lack some basics at the back, and maybe a little imagination to break apart our increasingly dependable Ake and Cook partnership.

The scoreline flattered us perhaps, but we did a professional job in at times difficult circumstances, and were ruthless whenever the visiting defence gave us a gift.

King and Wilson is looking a very promising partnership two games in. Admittedly there will be tougher tests than Newcastle and Huddersfield, what impact they can have against the very top sides we'll see next month.

 

[AnkleBiter]

Ugh, bit of a lesson in Premier League experience that. Totally wank to lose 4-0 to 2 controversial set pieces and 2 goals when we're chasing the game. I was pleased that we showed some attacking intent away from home for the first time since the opening day, but we simply had to take one of those chances at 0-0.

But shit happens in this league.

Nice easy home game next week anyway.

 

[SALTIRE]

Nice easy home game next week anyway.

 

[Benji]

Callum Wilson has the most perfect teeth I've ever seen. The game's gone.