Bournemouth (A) 21/10: Build-Up & Match Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

But against Villa, Neto and Sasa should have got their efforts on target and arguably Ait-Nouri too. Against Manchester City, chances were always going to be at a premium.

As much as O'Neill is portrayed as someone who tinkers when it comes to formations...I don't think he will move away from the 5, particularly with the suspensions we have.

Our wide forwards (and wingbacks) struggled because for large parts of the game on Sunday out of possession Villa were playing a flat back six and yes, we were more effective counter attacking than trying to control the game. We were fairly effective controlling the game against Manchester United, Brighton and Liverpool (until we weren't) and we got nothing.

Sa
Doherty Kilman Dawson Toti Ait-Nouri
Gomes Traore*
Neto Cunha Hwang

*although I wouldn't be surprised if JRB starts instead of Traore

For me, the players look more comfortable with this system and while Neto and Hwang are doing stuff up front then carry on.

I hear you. That first half yesterday was pretty terrible in possession though, endless spells of it going nowhere between Sa, Toti, Dawson and Kilman then we'd just lose it.

I don't think we have good enough footballers at the back to mitigate losing a more progressive player in midfield, not in games where a win has to be the aim (many of us feared 0 points vs City and Villa so I get it there). The difference in passing range from Saiss and Coady to the current three is huge and none of them can carry the ball either.

Doherty isn't ever going to bring us what he did five years ago in that role either.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Saying all that, Dawson played 4 or 5 truly brilliant balls yesterday, of varying types that i didnt think he had in his locker.
The ball to Semedo probably the best. He has a bit more time when we play 3/5.

 

[AndyWolves]

Bellegarde would probably look more natural there than Adama did...

I don't think it's that bad a shout. IIRC, he's played a fair few games as a defensive midfielder and right-midfield and has enough nous in forward positions.

It's not ideal obviously, but on par with playing Doc or a broken Jonny

 

[Alan]

Saying all that, Dawson played 4 or 5 truly brilliant balls yesterday, of varying types that i didnt think he had in his locker.
The ball to Semedo probably the best. He has a bit more time when we play 3/5.

Kilman's been able to do this a little bit, as well. It was his pass (again, to Semedo) that started the move for our winner against City.

 

[Woburn Wolf]

Not an easy conundrum with team selection here and opinions will differ.

We do look better defensively with three at the back (as Toti covers Kilman/Dawson turning like milk, and is a good deal more proactive too)...BUT it definitely impacts on our ability to control games and offer any threat beyond "give it to Neto". We've regressed both in terms of possession and attempts on target (4 in the last two games) since we changed system.

We also have the quandary up front where Cunha isn't really a striker and won't score many, Sasa isn't fit to start games (apparently) and Fabio looks worse with every sub appearance and is currently nowhere near the quality required. There isn't a solution there unfortunately.

However - this is a match that we need to target as a win. The tough home run isn't over yet - Newcastle and Spurs up next - and Bournemouth currently look a very poor team. Not won since late April, lost their last three by an aggregate of 10-1. If we do beat them then we'd already have an 8 point (plus goal difference) cushion over them which looks huge even at an early stage of the season. Could also see them sacking their manager if we win and they could easily appoint some total joker.

So I've mixed and matched it at the back. I'm well aware that Jonny is miles off the player that he was but I don't want to see Doherty starting any league games for us, thank you very much.

-------------------------------------Sa--------------------------------

Jonny-----------------Dawson----------------Kilman----------Toti

---------------Traoré------------J Gomes--------Bellegarde--------------

---------------Neto-------------Cunha-----------Hwang-----------------

2022/23: L 0-1 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2019/20: W 1-0 (H), W 2-1 (A)
2018/19: W 2-0 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2014/15: L 1-2 (H), L 1-2 (A)
1998/99: D 1-1 (A, LC), L 1-2 (H, LC)

Wolves vs Bournemouth, 1998-2023

Can you name the Wolves goalscorers vs Bournemouth, 1998-2023?

www.sporcle.com

Completely agree re Doherty. He was awful v Villa.

 

[lemonjelly]

yeah, doherty looks slow, not in the best shape,m and what the fuck is going on with his pushing players? Happened repeatedly v villa?

 

[Del Woppio]

He's definitely still got that quality movement and link up play in attacking areas though. If he won't have to do much defending/tracking I still think he can make an impact when we have the ball

 

[sycophantia]

He's definitely still got that quality movement and link up play in attacking areas though. If he won't have to do much defending/tracking I still think he can make an impact when we have the ball

He's the same physical level as Jonny but without the quality.

 

[Tony Towner]

He's the same physical level as Jonny but without the quality.

Or the excuse

 

[Lycan]

Kilman's been able to do this a little bit, as well. It was his pass (again, to Semedo) that started the move for our winner against City.

I thought Kilman was appalling on the ball yesterday

 

[Alan]

Think that's a bit strong. He didn't unlock any doors yesterday, though.

As long as he isn't directly gifting goals he's probably going to get a bit of a pass from me at this point. Just do the basics. If he gets a key pass or two along the way, all the better.

 

[Lycan]

Think that's a bit strong. He didn't unlock any doors yesterday, though.

As long as he isn't directly gifting goals he's probably going to get a bit of a pass from me at this point. Just do the basics. If he gets a key pass or two along the way, all the better.

He's never really directly cost us goals with poor passing but he will consistently squander possession. The pass for Semedo is a clear outlier.

 

[Alan]

Still seems harsh to me but appreciate your conviction.

It's costing goals by being shit full stop that I'm worried about; he hasn't done that in the last two so fair play to him, IMV.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Laser-focused Gary O’Neil can show Bournemouth what they are missing

The Wolves manager returns on Saturday to the club that sacked him and are still seeking a league win under Andoni Iraola

www.theguardian.com

 

[Lupo]

Can't imagine Gary as a Ferrari man!

 

[Kenny]

GoN saying we have a couple other issues with injuries, but not saying who. A few players could miss out. (via LL)

 

[lemonjelly]

Gary O’Neil has played a predictable straight bat to his return to Bournemouth with Wolves tomorrow, his words a study in dampening stuff down. The boy’s a natural at this game.

It’s 0% about me tomorrow. It’s a game we want to take three points from. Nothing extra for me.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Cunha and Bueno II will have come back late. Uruguay vs Brazil was in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time.

 

[Kenny]

Presume Bueno the younger will still be out. RAN has been in training this week, so hopefully over his issue

 

[Tony Towner]

Cunha and Bueno II will have come back late. Uruguay vs Brazil was in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time.

It was a day earlier