Poor.
You look at the line up, and you would have expected us to attack them, but we didn't. Sat off of them, let them play through the middle of us and if there was a loose ball you knew which team was going to be first to it, and it wasn't us.
Manager after manager and yet Edwards gets a gig in midfield, it's pathetic. Last season Kenny avoided using him there as much as he could, yet since December he hasn't had a problem with it? It makes no sense to me.
Between the forwards there was nothing. Both too far away from the play, both too far away from each other. Dicko had a poor game but I didn't think he looked like he could go at full tilt.
Our wingers were forced to go and look for the ball, especially Sako, and when he got it there was little he could do except try to create something out of nothing. The Bournemouth players kicked him all game long.
Bournemouth are a good side, who play good football but they aren't anything special. It made me sick to see Surman giving Edwards the run around. Their play acting, harassment of the refereeing and cynical fouls were embarrassing. If they were to go up they'd get roasted in the Premier League.
The first goal was an awful one to concede, Stearman lets in a cross so easily, and Batth loses his man at the front post. amateur stuff. Stearman was lucky to stay on the pitch for the second I felt, maybe lucky that he touch from Wilson was so heavy. And Kuszczak should be saving the penalty. Apart from that Bournemouth created little of note, Kuszczak saved a tame effort from Wilson and Stearman did well to clear off of the line.
We never looked like creating anything either, except for the end of the first half. A magical pass by McDonald and cool finish by Afobe. McDonald came close himself and Afobe could have done better when he hit a strong shot but it was straight at Boruc.
Kusczcak - 6. Little to do. Kicking was shit and should have saved a poor penalty from Kermorgant.
Doherty - 4- lazy in everything he does. The warm up he strolled around like he owned the place, he let's cross after cross get in and Pugh turned him inside out time after time. He could actually be OK if he worked on his game and out in the effort but he won't make it further than this.
Batth - 6 - best defender overall, solid in the air and did okay up against Wilson. Passing was poor.
Stearman - 5.- disappointing. At fault in both goals. Beaten in the air too often I felt too. Improved visibly after he gave away the penalty but it was too late.
Hause - 6 - nowhere near as bad as he was made out. He is being played out of position, and therefore is limited attacking wise but he dealt with Ritchie (possibly the best winger in the division) very well.
Van la Parra - 5- poor performance, had so many opportunities to run at Daniels yet chose turn back or go inside. I think he lacks confidence, on the odd occasion he was direct and ran with the ball he opened up spaces for us to attack.
Edwards - 2 (generous) - there was so much wrong with his performance I could dedicate a whole post to it but the thought makes me angry.
McDonald - 9 - happy to talk about Kevin however. Playing against Bournemouth's midfield is hard enough but having to do it on his own is almost impossible, and yet he managed to still be the best player on the pitch. All our good player came through him, best I've seen him play all season. If I was him I'd refuse to play if he gets paired with Edwards again.
Sako - 6 - Bournemouth plays kicked him all game as I mentioned, and on the odd occasion he beat players and created openings but his crossing wasn't great tonight. We didn't get him in good enough positions on the ball.
Dicko - 5 - was always just too far away from the ball, or took just too long on the ball
Afobe - 6 - good finish, and when he got the ball he looked dangerous but he needs to restrain from dropping so deep sometimes or collecting the ball wide. It leaves Dicko isolated.
Subs: Doyle - shit.