Bournemouth (H) 7:30pm Thursday 1st February 2024
After a crazy last few minutes at Sheffield, we came away with a point but were very disappointed to not have all 3. But we'll respect the point. We're still in 6th, 3 points ahead of Brighton & Man Utd. The lowest place we can start our next game is 7th as Brighton play Luton next Tuesday.
On to the Bournemouth game. Despite their trouncing at Liverpool, they are one of the in-form teams although on paper we seem closely matched. Based on the last 8 games, they scored 16 out of a possible 24 points (5 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses) and we scored 15 out of a possible 24 (4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss). Although in our weakened state, I fear the worst. Andoni Iraola has his team playing an aggressive, high press game and we can expect them to come at us straight out of the blocks.
My heart says 2-2 draw but my head says 1-3 loss. But they surprised me last time so there's always hope.
On to the Bournemouth game. Despite their trouncing at Liverpool, they are one of the in-form teams although on paper we seem closely matched. Based on the last 8 games, they scored 16 out of a possible 24 points (5 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses) and we scored 15 out of a possible 24 (4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss). Although in our weakened state, I fear the worst. Andoni Iraola has his team playing an aggressive, high press game and we can expect them to come at us straight out of the blocks.
My heart says 2-2 draw but my head says 1-3 loss. But they surprised me last time so there's always hope.
Comments
There's a bit of a problem with both fullbacks as Kerkez, Aarons, Fredericks, Adams and Smith all currently listed as injured while Dango Ouattara is at the ACON
They recalled 22yo CB James Hill from loan at Blackburn and he played as a makeshift LB against Liverpool for 55 minutes before he was replaced by another CB Lloyd Kelly.
Neto
??????? Zabamyi Senessi ??????
Cook Christie
Tavernier Kluivert (Billing or Sinisterra)
Solanke
That and we don't really have any alternatives, if he's fit Moyes plays him
No idea what condition Phillips will be in, but wouldn't surprise me if Moyes starts him if Alvarez is still injured
Travers
Hill Zabamyi Senessi Kelly
Cook Christie
Brooks Scott Sinisterra
Solanke
LB Milos Kerkez made his return from injury as a half time substitute for Kelly but makeshift RB James Hill went off with an ankle after an hour, replaced by 23yo CM/DM Gavin Kilkenny who made his first appearance of the season
Philip Billing was missing and has been linked with a move to Newcastle this week
Ghanaian LW/RW Antoine Semenyo was on the bench but LW/LB Dango Ouattara is still at ACON with Burkina Faso who play Mali on Tuesday
Areola
Johnson - Mavropanos - Zouma - Emerson
Kudus - Alvarez - Ward-Prowse - Fornals
Ings
Bowen
Phillips on the bench. Could play Cornet over Fornals.
RB Adam Smith is available after missing two games
Itaola says AM Philip Billing missed the Swansea game because he "wasn't feeling 100%" but he's available again despite still being linked with a move to Newcastle
AM/RW Romain Faivre has been recalled from loan at Lorient
RW David Brooks has gone on loan to Saints
LB/LW Dango Ouattara won't be back from ACON in time to be included
Best guess
Neto
Smith Zabamyi Senessi Kerkez
Cook Christie
Tavernier Kluivert Billing/Sinisterra
Solanke
He'd have spent a large amount of the 48 hours between matches in transit so might not be in the best condition.
Ouattara won't be available for Bournemouth and his match finished before Aguerd's kicked off
Subs: Fabiański (GK), Ogbonna, Cresswell, Cornet, Ings, Orford, Mubama, Casey, Scarles
Phillips starts.
Johnson Mavropanos Zouma Emerson
Soucek Alvarez Phillips
Kudus Bowen JWP
or will it be more like
Johnson Mavropanos Zouma Emerson
Soucek Alvarez Phillips
JWP
Kudus Bowen
I suspect it will be somewhat fluid between the above two formations, kinda like when Paqueta is nominally on the left but with a lot of freedom.
Anyway, surely we are pleased the kids are getting the experience?
#can'thaveitbothways