TRon

Him and one or two others tbf.

It was more the manner of the defeat than the defeat itself. We didn't just get beat, we got mauled. I said at 2-1 down that we needed to not get beat because they were European rivals and someone gave me the "come on man" line. But they are one point behind us now, and look a very decent side. Of course they are rivals.

What about Kluivert's hatrick btw? It was against us, but those were quality finishes.

They are basically losing to everyone at this stage. Comfortable win and back on track.

I don't think anyone expects us to win every game tbh, but it did come as a surprise to get so comprehensively outplayed, that too at home. I am chalking it down to a clash of styles. They had the game plan and physicality to stop us imposing ours on them.

I was surprised how good they were at retaining possession tbh, they do seem to have some decent players. It's one thing to physically outmuscle us, but they managed to knock it about better when they were pressed in return.

Agree, he does tend to rely on his blue chip players to slog through the majority of the season, remember Gordon was playing a crazy amount of games last season, but we had less options due to being decimated by injuries.

Aye this one you just hold your hands up and say on to the next one IMO.

Not every team will be as successful at snuffing us out either, Iraola has been coaching this Bournemouth in that way of playing all season. I think normally we would punish teams who push that hard by hitting them on the break, but tbf, they were really well set up. The only way you beat that is with better quality players who can beat the press.

It's a difficult one, because the players who do have the athleticism like Murphy for example, don't have the touch or technique to hold it or pass out of trouble. Thought Bruno was sloppy today, but he is usually one of our best players as far as press resistance goes.

Personally think that fatigue is not the reason for us getting a hiding, we've struggled against other teams who press us relentlessly. It's generally the same players who get flustered when surrounded, and tbf only the best players can usually cope with it.

Has anyone today?

They've defended brilliantly mind.

They're 4 points behind us.

He'll be in good company to be fair.

Still in it somehow.

What a fucking terrible delivery.

We can't afford to lose this, these will be a threat to our Europe ambitions.

They're not daft they know what they are watching.

Murphy

That happens too often tbh. Corners as well as crosses from open play.

Don't think it's about the tactics tbh, just some of our players struggle to resist the press. Bournemouth are our worst nightmare in that regard.

Seen this on a few occasions when we have had the chance for a break, we are holding the ball instead of releasing it quickly while the gaps are there to hit. The extra touch is killing us.

Made this point in the pre-match.

It's called top class technique.