BOURNEMOUTH AT ST MARY'S

Can Saints manage a decent win?

If we had Gabbadini playing I would be confident but without him not so sure. Will need Redmond to step up but having been away with England no idea what mind set he will come back in. My fear is he starts Boufal, I don't think he has done anything to deserve a start and should be between Long and JRod, Long on form but JRods last decent game was against Bournemouth.

I would think Bournemouth will want to prove a point as well beaten at their place so I am going for a draw, saints to go a goal down then come back second half and equalise.

And a draw it was.

Well it was a pretty poor display and proved a few things

Saints will struggle to score when Gabbadini doesn't play

England duty can badly affect some of our players (Bertrand)

John Moss is not fit to referee in the Premiership, so many wrong decisions.

No idea why we signed an international centre half to leave him sitting on the bench, another illogical decision by Puel.

Boufal will prove to be a waste of money.

Puel is a poor manager, tactically limited, one formation mentality and he will get us relegated if he stays another season, no heart or passion in team.

Tadic and Boufaul should never be on the pitch at the same time.

We started brightly and especially down the right we caused problems, Tadic had a great chance early on but blasted high and wide, a poor miss as clear sight of goal so should at least have forced a save. JRod had a shot at near post well saved by Boruc, who showed good handling all game. Tadic hit the outside of the post after we were queuing up to shoot. Jrod had a shot well saved again by Boruc but he should have shot across the goalie not at him. Should also have had a blatant penalty when Yoshida was hauled back at a corner, so much more blatant than the penalty given and Moss was again abysmal.

Bournemouth's main chances were from corners, one lead to a goalmouth scramble cleared of the line by Stephens, Forster came for a couple of crosses which was unusual in itself didn't do a great job and clobbered Stephens on one but at least he wasn't rooted to his line.

Second half we started okay, without any clear openings. Then a Yoshida mistake gifted them a 2 on 1 which Afobe put wide, but credit to Forster for coming off his line and closing down. Ward Proswe then blasted wide when should have done better. Then the daftest decision by Puel, Ward Prowse who was actually having one of his best games for a while was subbed along with Jrod and brought on Long and Boufal. That meant just 2 players in midfield effectively and as a direct result we allowed Bournemouth to take control, They also brought on Wilshire which made the balance even worse for us. Forster made a couple of good saves, then an almighty goal mouth scramble where we were like headless chickens. several chances to clear but mis kicks etc gifting Bournemouth opportunities to shoot, fortunately they are not very good. Then a very soft penalty from Moss, maybe Bertrand did tug the guy but in comparison to what happened in the first half to Yoshida it was a joke and why referees motives need to looked at, giving one and not the other is for me a clear sign of bias. I cannot remember when we won with Moss. Justice served however when they skied the penalty over. Long had a great opportunity but from a tight angle beat Boruc but just went wide, unlucky.

Forster 7 a better all round display, came for crosses even if he missed them and also came of his line to smother a couple of times.
Bertrand 5 really poor. looked like he couldn't be bothered him and Redmond not happy bunnies with each other.
Stephens 5 did clear one of the line but seems to lack confidence and doesn't assert himself
Yoshida 5 surprised he started with international travel usual error that nearly gifted a goal needs to take control but don't think his style
Cedric 7 got forward well first half less so second half but mainly as we had no midfield
Ward Prowse 7 odd to take off, guess thinking about Wednesday but win the game you are playing and he was playing well.
Oriel 8 just gets through so much work, if we had a decent defensive midfield player along side him then Centre Backs would be protected, Player of the season for me,
Davies 6 pretty quiet and ineffective surprised left on.
Tadic 6 decent first half, disappeared after 60 minutes
Redmond 6 flashes of decent play but played to deep most of the time
JRod 6 tried hard had 3 decent attempts harsh but Gabbadini would have had 1 or 2 goals with same chances.
Subs
Long 6 unlucky with his one chance
Boufal 4 awful, still trying to beat everyone even when back defending and losing the ball putting us under more pressure. Sims should have been on the bench especially as a local derby.
McQueen 5, came on for Tadic to play on left of midfield difficult for him to impose but fact we didn't lose has to get some credit.

Think Palace will hammer us on Wednesday based on this display, Puel worries me, some of the players seem to think season is over but Palace will go above us if they beat us on Wednesday, and everyone thinks they are in a relegation battle. Puel seems unable to motivate the players, tactically very limited so what he brings other than seems a nice guy.

Why he didn't start Caseres a mystery to just about every saints fan inside the ground, Stephens and Yoshida are nice guys but a weak partnership in the middle of defence, neither takes control and Benteke will have a field day if the same on wednesday

What's your feelings on J Rod Matty ? Likely to be let go in the off season ?

Thanks for your observations Matty, much appreciated.

I agree it seems odd Caceres is not getting game time. Maybe they have to make extortionate appearance fees to him and Puel has been told to only use him in an emergency??

Maybe Bertrand now has his head set on a transfer which is affecting his game?

I think Sims should have been given the chance to step up during Gabbiadini's absence, he was looking very bright and sharp earlier in the season.

I agree with your comments about Puel......but think we will be stuck with him again next season, at least until it is clear we are in trouble, and then there will be a scramble to appoint someone

Mike

the crazy thing is if Caceres is any good, and can only tell if he plays he could be part of the solution if Virgil leaves. Wouldn't be surprised if money isn't behind it.