HOME TO BOURNEMOUTH

Hope we can seal safety with this one but I've a feeling we will need points at West Ham

probably more hopeful than confident, Bournemouth can either be very good or very poor and do have pace up front and decent at set pieces. Penalties are a concern as they seem to have perfected the art of winning them by holding the ball in the box tempting tackles as opposed trying to score or pass. That has to be a training ground tactic. I am hoping for a 2 nil win with Redmond and Long on the score sheet but can see it being a 2-2 draw. If Fulham can beat Cardiff that would be perfect, even a draw would be good. If we match Cardiff's result we stay up, barring ridiculous scores in the last 2 games.

Well good that we have confirmed our premier league status for next season, good game for a neutral but one we should have won comfortably and highlights our strengths (short quick forward passing, create plenty of chances) and our weaknesses (slow centre backs, crack under pressure).

Cracking start from saints penned Bournemouth back several corners in first 10 minutes, Redmond had a shot well blocked, one corner came all across begging for a CB from us to attack but took the lead with good play by Redmond feeding Long who got his shot away, took a deflection of Ake and left Boruc wrong footed. His fourth in five and getting criticised by others as not very good, yes he missed a sitter but he causes problems, and now shooting, something Ings seems to have a major issue with. really should have been 2 or 3 up but got caught by a sucker blow, lost the ball in the Bournemouth penalty area, quick break and 4 on 2, Stephens didn't know what to do, Bedanek doesn't have the pace to get back and none of our midfield content to sit back and provide the cover. A simple goal for them but showed that we definitively need a mobile strong CH.

Long should have restored the lead when set up by Ings and with Boruc to beat first shot saved then should just have tucked in the rebound but never trusts his left foot and managed from a yard out to hit the post. Then we end up behind, short corner which was headed out but no one picked up the player who took the corner who then had a shot that got through a crowded area, Gunn saved but rebound straight to Wilson. Defence looked all at sea, a few crosses where we were lucky to escape but they were just as weak at the back.

Second half took of Romeau for Targett playing left side of midfield, and Bertrand had a powerful shot that went over, maybe didn't need to blast. Took the lead when again we won the ball in the middle of the park by Hojberg, Bournemouth player fell to the ball trying to con a free kick but for once ref had none of it and Ward Prowse took the ball forward and with his left foot placed his shot in the corner of the goal, thought Boruc should have done better. Then all saints and took the lead when Valary, who had a great game, beat Ake down the right floated a cross to the far post and Targett with a great header back across Boruc who couldn't keep out. Then crying out for Lemina to come on and strengthen the midfield, instead brought on Armstrong who promptly gave the ball away to allow them to break and equalise. The Stephens who again showed just not premiership quality lazily give the ball away in the middle of the park. Wilson 1on 1 looked like would steal a win but fortunately Gunn made an excellent stop.

Austin came on for Ings and kept taking the ball into the corner, no idea why as never won us a corner and in a choice between Long or Austin its not even close.

Worth noting Bournemouth committed 5 fouls where they blocked our players when breaking from our own half, a clear tactic and only resulted in 1 booking. Others have noted what seems a clear tactical play, copying City, and one referees should pick up on more often with a booking.

So at least can now actively plan for next season though you would expect them to have ideas already and now need to act quickly. We need a CB, shown critical today as we cannot be relying on Yohsida and Vestergard, a mobile striker. a RB and a holding midfield who can protect the back 4, Romeau is quite good enough though if we sign someone they need to be better than him, Wanyama type of player. Need Mr Gao to act quickly not our usual leave to the last minute and back Ralph.

Gunn 6 saved us at the end and not much to do about the goals as defence was poor but needs to start demanding more of the defenders in front of him.
Valary 8 probably his best game for us especially going forward, roasted Ake numerous times and caused lots of problems
Bedanek 5 showed yesterday his lack of pace and certainly didn't seem to work well alongside Stephens, one of his poorest games for sometime.
Stephens 5 showed is our 4th choice and we can do better, so slow especially when he had the ball and always looked to go backwards.
Bertrand 7 lacks the pace now but shows his experience, I would have played him at CH instead of Stephens.
Romeau 6 put in the work but gets caught forward to much, might be the formation but when playing 4 at the back needs to defend better.
HojBerg 7 a typical non stop game, not perfect and does give the ball away at times but wins critical interceptions to start attacks.
Ward Prowse 7 if he was stronger in tackling he would be outstanding, took his goal well and good corners,
Redmond 7 a lot of effort would have taken Ings off and played him in the CF role as they couldn't cope with his pace.
Long 7 yes he missed a sitter but still scored and worked his socks off
Ings 5 remains an enigma, some good passes, fell over a lot, rarely shoots for some reason, If we have a choice I would look for another striker but think he's ours.

Subs
Targett 6 great header did okay on the left but would worry about him if our first choice LB
Armstrong 5 shame as quite like him but was the wrong sub and at fault for their equaliser.
Austin 5 last 5 min plus 5 min injury time, no effort on goal.

Thanks Matty. As always, a good report.

Thanks again Matty!!