Bournemouth vs Leeds United Match Thread

[The Subhuman]

Said Longstaff would be a good sub

TBF, I liked the sub at the time, didn't post it as making a cuppa but he started so badly I thought "what was I thinking". I don't think he's a starter for us and he's a bloody expensive bench player so I'm ok with moving him on in the summer.

[YorkshireSquare]

We sit back in every away game and end up conceding. We were on top after the goal at 1-1, then sat back and conceded another late goal.

I think we forget sometimes that there are two teams in a game of football.

I don't think we always decide to sit back, but if the opposition dominate the ball, dominate the midfield and put pressure on you, you don't have much choice. Bournemouth were the better team tonight.

[weasel]

VAR played a blinder, as did oggy.

Happy to just get to 40 points.

They are a very good side, when it opened up it became a game of basketball, but we hot lucky more times than they did.

On to Sunday now with a bit of momentum now

Seems to be more of a basketball match when we change to 4 at the back and push an extra man forward. All about picking the moments to play with 4. We look more like scoring but look a lot more vulnerable too.

[1964white]

Hell of a point. They ramble on about Bournemouth being the better team and I would agree but could easily have pinched it when you think of the Okafor chance.

To be honest Jay, they were the better side!

I'll take a bit of luck anytime

So funny when we scored the equaliser in the very last minute.

More please.

[SG90]

I think we forget sometimes that there are two teams in a game of football.

I don't think we always decide to sit back, but if the opposition dominate the ball, dominate the midfield and put pressure on you, you don't have much choice. Bournemouth were the better team tonight.

When it keeps happening, then it isn't a one off. That's something we need to improve on next season, as not sure we will get away with it again.

[1964white]

I haven’t followed the thread but I knew he would be getting slagged off. None of the never gets enough mins rusty excuse etc. but what does he do pops up with a goal and earns us a point. That must grate.

I posted a few months ago that Longstaff would be influential in the latter stages of the season.

Brilliant strike!

[weasel]

Fair enough.

Tbf to him Bournemouth are pressing machines.

He'd probably have got away with it vs most others.

He did make up for it with a goal saving challenge though.

The Bournemouth pressing was excellent, reminded me of how Arsenal pressed us. I believe their pitch is quite too which will make it so there is even less space.

I hope we don't sell him in the summer and he can kick on and improve his play in those moments. If he can then he should be starting every match.

Stuart Dallas making the point, in reference to Tanaka giving the ball away in the build up to their goal and saying that you don't get that time in midfield. Dallas adapted to being a midfielder after playing out wide where there is more time and space. If Dallas can adapt then no reason why AO can't.

[1964white]

They've conceded 52 goals. For all the hype over them/Iraola, I always felt we could get a result as long as we attacked.

It's when we sit back we concede.

[The Subhuman]

Our points extrapolate to just under 45 atm ..

[The Subhuman]

Now for the first time I'm getting nervous, this next is the biggest game of the season by a distance.

[weasel]

Why does he trust Brendy so much then? He consistently makes poor descisions and gives the ball away.

My guess would be because Aaronsen usually loses it further up the field so the danger isn't the same as when you lose it centrally just as our full backs etc have made their runs forward.

I did make a point recently that I see Aaronsen and Tnaaka fighting for the same position is Stach is available (or if Farke went with Gruev).

I think in a forward position it is more of a given that you will lose the ball as you are trying to create/force an opening.

[1964white]

The difference between 3 centrebacks and 2 centrebacks. They have got used to playing with an extra player in there.

Proves the foolishness of people who reckon we just went from 4 at the back to 5 seamlessly at half time in a match and hadn't been trying it in training.

We were lost at the back without Bijol.

[1964white]

Almost cost us, didn't help that Rodon didn't look on his game. Bijol is a one trick pony but he does that trick so very well. Struijk is more adaptable but he was everywhere tonight marshalling our defence..

Brilliant

[SG90]

Now for the first time I'm getting nervous, this next is the biggest game of the season by a distance.

Biggest game in 25 years... since the Champions League semi final

[SG90]

We were lost at the back without Bijol.

Still unbeaten when he's started

[The Subhuman]

Biggest game in 25 years... since the Champions League semi final

Dunno, some of the playoff finals were massive considering what was on the line.

[weasel]

We sit back in every away game and end up conceding. We were on top after the goal at 1-1, then sat back and conceded another late goal.

I don't think it is particular a choice though. Often, especially if we are leading, the opposition is going to commit more men forward and try to get back into the game.
Tonight we had our best spell immediately after Bournemouth scored. That was us going for broke, the attacking subs and match situation. It took Bournemouth a few minutes to work us out and during that time we scored. With us then having an extra attacker on (Nmecha) and one less defender Bournemouth were then able to adapt and able to exploit us as they had one less defensive player to contend with.

[weasel]

Almost cost us, didn't help that Rodon didn't look on his game. Bijol is a one trick pony but he does that trick so very well. Struijk is more adaptable but he was everywhere tonight marshalling our defence..

It did and din't. Farke gambled with bringing an extra striker on because we were behind. As such it made us more likely to score and more likely to conceded - but as we were behind then it was a gamble worth taking. Would suggest that the Longstaff then coming on (for Aaronsen), at 1-1, was an attempt to get us back more towards our 5 at the back shape, to try to give us a bit more control with Ampadu being able to play a bit deeper, almost dropping into defence. Unfortunately that didn't work with Bournemouth scoring a minute or so later and then presumably neccesitated us going back to the attacking gamble with us then bringing Piroe on (for Tanaka), Longstaff doing Tanaka's role and Ampadu back to his normal role.

[Carrick Dave]

Some fans like to criticse our squad and blame the recrutiment team for not doing a good job, but its our squad thats getting us through these tough games.
We had players tonight that have been playing well of late for us, but tonight they were not as good as they have been. We bring on subs and they make a difference, its what having a squad is all about.
Some fans are forgetting that we are in our first season back in the Premiership and we are still getting used to it, even this late in the season. Good as we have been this season, its still a big learning curve for the players and manager.
We cant always get it right. I know thats hard for some fans to cope with

Great to see those who’ve been criticising the recruitment team and the lack of signings in January proved wrong.

There’s very little chance now of us going down, and just the same group of players and the same manager that we started the season with.

We now have the cash available to spend in the summer that we didn’t need to spend in January, despite all the screaming, to improve the squad as we see fit.

I hope those who were so vociferous in their criticism previously will have the grace to hold their hands up and acknowledge that they were wrong.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

Why does he trust Brendy so much then? He consistently makes poor descisions and gives the ball away.

Exactly. There are some double standards afoot here...And Aaronson often has trouble staying upright on either foot....