CandH blogger Allen Cummings looks at what must be expected tomorrow at Bournemouth
It’s a return to Premier League action on Saturday, and we’re heading south, to face AFC Bournemouth, in a top six clash that not only has points, but reputations at stake.
Ironic perhaps that we should be playing at the Vitality Stadium this weekend, because one ingredient that was missing in abundance at Oxford on Wednesday was any form of vitality whatsoever.
We might be off to the seaside, but it wont be for a day out. There’s a job to be done, and our dignity and self-respect to recover after the embarrassing four-goal mid-week mauling at the Kassam Stadium.
Somewhat fortunately maybe, the Cherries won’t exactly be going into the game on a high either, following their own shock 2-0 defeat at Burton Albion, a reverse that generated as much anger on their own social media sites as there was on ours.
But let’s hope getting back to Premier League action will mean getting back to Premier League form for Pelle and the team.
Cresswell must return
Our three wins, two draws and just one defeat puts us on 11 points, one point and one place above ours hosts, whose three wins, one draw and two defeats has them on 10 points.
There is very little to go on with regard to previous encounters between ourselves and Bournemouth, the clubs having only previously met on 13 occasions. The record at present also stands just in our favour, with five wins to our credit, four defeats and four matches drawn.
It’s difficult to see Pellegrini wandering too far away from the starting 11 for the Manchester United game. There certainly weren’t any ‘squad’ players on show on Wednesday who staked even half a claim to play.
Aaron Cresswell is certain to return to left back after last Sunday’s top rated performance, whilst Jack Wilshere did little to suggest he should oust Pablo Fornals from central midfield. Even though Wilshere would dearly love to shine at the Vitality, having previously spent the 2016-17 season on loan there.
There is certain to have been a few harsh words spoken behind closed doors since Wednesday – and rightly so! Pellegrini has been keen to talk of a new focus and resolve within the team this season. While several players have come out to comment on the excellent team spirit building in the dressing room, we need to see all of those qualities to shine through on Saturday afternoon.
An away point would be acceptable to keep the total rolling along – but three points has to be the target and I believe despite the mid-week blip, we now have the quality to aim high – and achieve!
Yep I totally agree Allen ..but Bournemouth will be baying for blood after their dismal cup exit..but as Eddie Howe commented if I don’t play our youth when can I? Sadly our starting eleven only had Matt Holland as youth and Aljeti very much untried..MP has a lot to answer for IMHO a shambolic set up from the start..yep.ok let’s put it behind us and push on (again)..3 points please lads would prove it!!COYI
Not sure our fan base would have been any less forgiving if MP had gone totally for youth. Remember what was said when BFS chucked in the youngsters againt Forest? Pellegrini took a calculated gamble – which in the event backfired not because of the personell – but because of their ultimate performance! Both managers will be looking for a response – it should be interesting!
I said earlier in the week that I think the match at Bournemouth will tell us more about our squad and our realistic expectations for the season than the win against a very poor Man Utd. I still think that, especially after another heavy cup defeat by a lower-ranked team. I hoped we would show more fighting spirit than we did against Wimbledon but that just didn’t happen. What we can take from the midweek mess Is further evidence that our squad has not got the quality MP likes to think it does. Our second string eleven collectively is not good enough and, worryingly, for some reason does not show the required ‘intensity’. Individually, most are reasonable replacements when slotting in alongside our first choice players, and for example I personally prefer Balbuena to Ogbonna, but put them altogether and we get humbled. Saturday will be interesting. I predict a draw but hope as all Hammers will, for a 5-0 win. COYI.
Hoping also for that reaction, a draw would be a very good result and a win excellent, any points scored against them is a gain on last seasons total. I want to see improvement, I made Callum Wilson my captain in FPL this week because he always scores against us but really in the hope that we will keep him quiet and will be happy if thats the case COYI !!!