Match Day Bournemouth v Tottenham, Saturday 22nd October 12:30

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[JimJams]

Are Bournemouth ready for all the pre-match build up to be about Arsenal boy Wilshere vs Spurs? Can they handle that?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

12.30 kickoff, hideous time for a football match.

Spurs absolutely smashed us twice last season. We are undoubtedly better now, but we still play the same style and system (against everyone be they Spurs or Sunderland) and that gets ruthlessly exposed against the top sides who can press intelligently and pounce with quality.

Can't see past a Spurs win, but I'd like to think we'll make it slightly more competitive. Our attack is working very well indeed with Wilshere and Arter feeding Wilson/King/Ibe/Stanislas. We just need to get them into the game to make use of them, and not lose the plot in defence.

 

[PDS]

We hopefully will, and probably should, be more competitive than this game last year; we were at the peak of our horrendous injury crisis, putting out a weaker team than we ever had in the Championship, and on top of that Boruc had a day where we started more or less throwing it in his own net.

This time, Boruc has been in the sort of form you'd probably expect from one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and our form is that of a top 8 side. 3 home wins in a row and the 6-1 rout last week have put us in a very good place, but no doubt this will be a huge test. Spurs pressed us so high last year it forced mistake after mistake, we'll need to be more adept at exploiting the space behind them as Wilson & Ibe (And King off the bench) will all have the legs to beat their back four in a straight race.

I'll optimistically plump for a 2-2, but I'd take a positive performance to ensure we keep our confidence up ahead of Boro & Sunderland in the next few weeks.

 

[PDS]

Are Bournemouth ready for all the pre-match build up to be about Arsenal boy Wilshere vs Spurs? Can they handle that?

All the stories about us this season are about Wilshere anyway. It's overshadowing the far superior and utterly brilliant Harry Arter (Whom Wilshere is very adept at making space for).

Still, if Jack scores the winner on Saturday I'll happily read all the coverage that inevitably comes our way

 

[JimJams]

OFFICIAL: PDS can handle it.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Just look at the love and joy in Jack's face, as he's cuddled by our assistant manager.

 

[smat]

3-0, Wilshere hat-trick.

 

[JimJams]

He's never gonna want to go back.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

How about staying at Bournemouth Jack

 

[Benji]

I like Bournemouth. I hope they win.

 

[smat]

Lamela lucky there.

 

[Benji]

Spurs are fouling a lot. Does Wilshere make them that angry?

 

[smat]

Jordon Ibe is a good player.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Excellent half. Spurs do not like defending do they? Or being pressed themselves. Lucky to have all 11 on the pitch.

It'll be hard to keep this up all game, and the few times Spurs have got in our third, the glimpses of quality are there.

But I'm dead pleased

 

[Benji]

If Bournemouth are going to keep up with the pressing in the second half, I reckon their best bet is to press trap Wanyama. He's their weakest link on the ball in deep areas, and Arter has already caught him once or twice.

 

[smat]

Wilshere was good in the first half when Bournemouth had more of the ball in Spurs' half but he's faded a lot in the second. He's not getting many opportunities on the ball now and is snatching at things.

 

[smat]

Sissoko should be off as well.

 

[Pagnell]

Spurs incredibly lucky here, could be down to 9 men easily. Should see retrospective action for that elbow in particular.

Come on Bournemouth, hold on.

 

[Super_horns]

Think it was a better game than the scoreline suggests but both teams defended well..

Spurs lucky not to have a man sent off?

 

[Pagnell]

Some fantastic play by Bournemouth, unfortunate to come away with only a point. Spurs very fortunate.

Good chance to go above Spurs tonight now.

 

[smat]

Gradel was rubbish today.

Wilshere completed 90 minutes!

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Coming away ever slightly disappointed not to beat Spurs just shows what progress we're making and what a team Howe is putting together. Agressive when needed, and quality football when we can.

Referee needs to revisit some of his leniency towards Spurs today, no idea how they kept 11 on the pitch. Their kicking out as we took the game to them was a joy to watch though.

We're absolutely flying at the moment, and I'm fucking loving it.

 

[PDS]

All in all, it was a very very good performance. Spurs had periods where they dominated possession, but we defended (and countered) very well.

King, Gosling, Wilson and of course the incredible Arter were the stand out performances. If we had a tad more sharpness in front of goal we might have nicked it but a draw was probably fair all in all.

Very happy with that and a huge improvement on the tonking from last year.

 

[Pagnell]

Spurs incredibly lucky here, could be down to 9 men easily. Should see retrospective action for that elbow in particular.

Come on Bournemouth, hold on.

Good to see this retrospective action against Sissoko has taken place, banned for 3 games. Straight red had it been seen so very fortunate for Spurs.

 

[Benji]

I think they're reasonably fortunate that he's been banned afterall.