Just got home, what a great result. Thought that the game plan played out perfectly and we did what we needed to do in the first half without being spectacular; they never really threatened. Everyone but Harriot had a good game, including Danny Green those woeful freekicks aside. Bringing on Obika for Harriot made us look a lot more lively and we burst into the game at that point. I was surprised to see Obika a bit behind Church, doing the sort of role that Kermogant did behind him last year, but he was very effective and we looked threatening.
It was a great second half, especially when Sordell came on and we went 4 3 3 with him on the right and Obika on the left. We played some great football at times but just couldn't finish. If Church had scored when the keeper made a brilliant save I think we could have nicked another.
Credit to Riga for making some attacking subs and showing intent, especially with the early sub, which ultimately led to us playing better, gaining confidence and winning the game.
Thought that Jackson had a great game and particularly enjoyed the celebrations at the end. When we scored you could see how much it meant to the players and the fans went crazy! Glad that Kermogant got a good reception but didn't get a chance to do much in the game, certainly happy that he didn't take that freekick... Pleased that Riga got a good reception and that we seem to be moving on and doing our best to support the players.
Best bit of the evening though, was seeing my Dad and Brother after a few weeks and my oyster card not being charged on the way home
Performance of the night has to be the east stand lino. Didn't seem to be playing offside and missed a goal kick when the ball was a yard off the pitch
Huge relief and massive result. We really needed to get at least one win from these last 3 very winnable games.
I'm not going to get too carried away though. Were absolutely dreadful for the first 40 minutes. Bereft of ideas, outclassed and it almost felt like we were playing with 10 men with these hopeful desperate balls towards a lonely and extremely ineffective and largely incapable Church.
Obika came on and I don't hugely rate him but he was way better than anything else we have and hallelujah he can win a header (I'm not sure if Church has won one all season). We were better in the second half but still barely created anything resembling a chance with the one single exception of Church's 1 on 1 which obviously he was never going to score.
People criticised Powell's tactics but as said above, playing that 4-3-3/4-5-1 at the end was crazy. Having come on and done the hold up play and caused some problems in the middle, taking him away and putting him out on the left where he looked ridiculously uncomfortable was mad, whilst meanwhile down the middle Church barely touched the ball all half.
The "move-on" crowd won't like it but I am still utterly pissed off and frustrated by Powell's removal even after a good result tonight. The sides picked and the performances produced during the last 3 games have been hardly recognisable as different from CP. The same problems are still there. If we don't have a proper striker and at least one proper attacking midfield player we can't score. Doesn't matter who the manager is. And to see the new guy getting the opportunity to sign Powell's long-term target Obika must be very frustrating for SCP. Basically, Powell should still be there.
Anyway, a great result. We now have 4 very tricky games coming up and I might start to believe we can stay up if we're still in touching distance of safety after that run.
Still a long way to go, but an encouraging performance and a thoroughly deserved win.
Set up with a 4-5-1 with Poyet and Cousins holding and Jackson looking to get up in support of Church. No network players started. No comment. Interesting that Green was given a chance in the problem position on the right hand side of midfield. Seems Riga (or Dyer) has a clear preference for Dervite over Wood.
The players have clearly been instructed to be more thoughtful and patient in possession. It wasn't always effective, but it was quite noticeable. We were very committed throughout.
The tactical change on just forty minutes (Obika for Harriott) was very decisive and almost worked immediately when Obika turned and shot just before half time. As Harriott came off Riga put his hand on the player's shoulder and appeared to explain the decision. Green was next off, on about sixty minutes from memory, and had not distinguished himself. Sordell played on the right of midfield and showed some nice touches without ever looking comfortable.
What is Diego Poyet on? He was outstanding this evening and appears to be growing in confidence and stature with every game. I don't think he misplaced a pass this evening and got forward more, almost scoring with a terrific drive which was well parried by Lee Camp.
I felt Bournemouth looked a decent side. They passed and moved nicely and were powerful in the air, but they never really threatened which was a credit to our back four. This was, therefore, a very good win. Despite having had much the better of the second half it looked as if it wasn't going to be until the excellent Dorian Dervite headed in a Jackson corner in injury time.
Really pleased for the players and the Manager. Riga is a grown up. His programme notes were positive, but measured, sensible and dignified. He praised the fans for our support. He's made a good start. Let's hope it continues.
We now have four very difficult matches on the bounce, but if we are still well placed after that run of games we'll be very well set up to secure survival during the run in.
For those who are interested I thought Simon Francis had a decent game.
It was actually quite a good game of football, made all the better for getting three lovely juicy points. My goodness we needed that after what has been happening, we have tough games coming up, and points remain the priority, it is nice to be out of the bottom three on goal difference, but we can't rely on that factor to get us safe, and must hope it is a platform for more points to come. The game was a competition between all the players, and it was not a game strewn with errors but one where everybody certainly gave it their best shot (more or less), it is good to see that the team spirit remains with the players. Like everybody I was a little surprised Danny Green was there but at least with Danny you know what you're going to get, and that's what we got. Cousins and Poyet were deployed well, and when Obika came on (was Harriott injured?), and JJ went wide left it worked very well, not least because of the relationship between Wiggy and JJ down that side. The other sub was an attacking one you might argue, but then again it was to replace dear old Danny, which probably didn't weaken the team! I was very worried when Bournemouth brought on Yann, and the nippy substitute, and in the game they had a couple of near misses and Hamer was called on a few times...well that was assuming Hamer would actually be in the penalty area. I felt the support helped too, and the JJ free kick, corner, goal was to a large extent because at that time Bournemouth could sense the pressure, and they failed to hold out...good. Classic towering downward powerful header from Dorian, a beauty actually. The East Stand lino looked older than me fer gawdsake, and he was terrible, made more amusing with his assertive shakes of the head when he got things wrong, the ref was a poser but didn't really get many calls wrong. In terms of us I was musing between Poyet and Jackson as our best players, but I would go for Poyet, if he could be signed up it would be the biggest statement of intent that Roland could manage, but it will take shedloads of dosh I fancy. All the players played well, with the exception of Danny G, and Bournemouth were much better than QPR, certainly in their attitude. Mind you a last minute win is a great way to do things isn't it? So the king is dead long live the king, although it was almost a replica of the QPR game so you could also say meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Massive result, I'm sure it taught the manager a few things as well
The formation in the second half was positive, but having Church as the main target through the middle didn't work, as he wins nothing in the air, for a striker his leaps are terrible. Obika needs to play through the middle, as that photo at the top of page 5 shows, he has good spring and is much more mobile. If Church plays (and personally I wouldn't pick him), perhaps he ought to be out wide as a channel runner?
After all the talk of RD picking the team, not only did the starting lineup have none of the RD/Liege signings, it bizarrely had no loan players in it at all! So the stories about Powell being told to pick RD players are all rather mysterious. Was Reza left out or injured, as he wasn't on the bench and mysteriously Tudgay was back!
Terrible team selection, but at least Riga made changes early to save it. Poor game between one team with little quality set up defensively and one team who could play a bit but were pretty ineffectual.
Good we are out of the bottom 3 but a long way to go yet.
One of the teams around us will pick up some form before the end of the season so we need to keep our mini revival going.
Was Harriott injured or a clever early substitution Was Sordell played out of position but done well? Square pegs in round holes allowed when we win
He was indeed, hobbling out the ground, right ankle it seemed to me.
And pretty much yes, right wing and Obika on the left, but allowed to roam about a bit, worked well against Bournemouth in the dying stages not sure we could risk it in a Starting XI though, showed promise
Great result & thoroughly needed if not warranted. Bournemouth played some great football & their no 20 was MOTM by a mile..........but I don't support a team from the south coast, so f**k 'em.
Poyet gets better & better and in the last 10 mins decided to start moving forward with it, culminating in a terrific shot when Camp did well to save. Church once again showed that he can run but can shoot for toffee - missed the easiest chance of the match & soon Riga has to see sense & drop him.
I posted on here yesterday that I didn't think much of Obika..........just started my second helping of humble pie as I think his entrance on 40 mins changed the complexion of the match - before then we were going nowhere but as soon as he came on we looked a different side. Harriott didn't look injured (although an earlier post on here said he had his ankle strapped up after the game) and if it was tactical then Riga is a genius.
As for all you Green knockers - at least he was the only player in the 1st half to have a shot (2 to be precise) which you cant say for Church, Harriott, Sordell...........
I think Wilson will get my POTY - another steady game & towards to end made some game saving tackles.
Under CP we would have lost that game - love the guy but Riga showed how to make substitutions and didn't decide to defend that last 10 mins as CP would have done.
I think a 4-3-3 with Sordell Obika and Reza would scare the pants off most defences with their pace. Perhaps Tudgay away to be more solid than Gucchi. JJ or AA with the kids.
Oh I can't wait for work tomorrow so I can give to all the toolbox knobheads I have to work with Oh joy thanks dervite and the boys god am I going to give it to them!
Over the moon, poor first half up until Obika came on but once he was on we looked better. Good second half and overall I think we deserved the win. Poyet is top top quality and has a good understanding with Cousins. Sordell looked better than usual and the defence was solid. A few more loans RD and we can get out of this. Good tunnel jump from JJ and Hamer to top it off.
Massive result, I'm sure it taught the manager a few things as well
The formation in the second half was positive, but having Church as the main target through the middle didn't work, as he wins nothing in the air, for a striker his leaps are terrible. Obika needs to play through the middle, as that photo at the top of page 5 shows, he has good spring and is much more mobile. If Church plays (and personally I wouldn't pick him), perhaps he ought to be out wide as a channel runner?
After all the talk of RD picking the team, not only did the starting lineup have none of the RD/Liege signings, it bizarrely had no loan players in it at all! So the stories about Powell being told to pick RD players are all rather mysterious. Was Reza left out or injured, as he wasn't on the bench and mysteriously Tudgay was back!
I belive the rift was created by RD and he timed his move as he wanted to get rid of CP with as little impact as poss. He has achieved this. I have no prob with the new manager because the decision had nothing to do with him. Great result. I am a bit concerned with a manager who thinks Danny Green should play any part in a game of foootball and is of deep concern. I thought Morrison was superb and his commitment to the cause makes him a serious contender as the player of the season. Obika was good, a player who has a good song and it must give him confidence. A player sometimes just fits in a club. I think he does.
First game I have seen this year so it is hard to judge. Team appeared to be trying to play with the ball on the ground, but in all honesty were struggling to get to grips with it. We have players that can do it I feel but they just need the confidence to stick with it.
The biggest issue I has going forward, not with the strikers per se, but the lack of a midfielder willing to commit to attacking left us bereft of options throughout.
Defence were the big plus. Good in the air, hard tackling and not diving in. Probably midfielder away from a reasonable side.
The last two home games I have been to have been last minute wins. So on Saturday I'm going to turn up about 4.48 and take my seat to enjoy another against Burnley.
Comments
Conspiracy that his best mate Dorian scored? Naaaaa...
It was a great second half, especially when Sordell came on and we went 4 3 3 with him on the right and Obika on the left. We played some great football at times but just couldn't finish. If Church had scored when the keeper made a brilliant save I think we could have nicked another.
Credit to Riga for making some attacking subs and showing intent, especially with the early sub, which ultimately led to us playing better, gaining confidence and winning the game.
Thought that Jackson had a great game and particularly enjoyed the celebrations at the end. When we scored you could see how much it meant to the players and the fans went crazy! Glad that Kermogant got a good reception but didn't get a chance to do much in the game, certainly happy that he didn't take that freekick... Pleased that Riga got a good reception and that we seem to be moving on and doing our best to support the players.
Best bit of the evening though, was seeing my Dad and Brother after a few weeks and my oyster card not being charged on the way home
I'm not going to get too carried away though. Were absolutely dreadful for the first 40 minutes. Bereft of ideas, outclassed and it almost felt like we were playing with 10 men with these hopeful desperate balls towards a lonely and extremely ineffective and largely incapable Church.
Obika came on and I don't hugely rate him but he was way better than anything else we have and hallelujah he can win a header (I'm not sure if Church has won one all season). We were better in the second half but still barely created anything resembling a chance with the one single exception of Church's 1 on 1 which obviously he was never going to score.
People criticised Powell's tactics but as said above, playing that 4-3-3/4-5-1 at the end was crazy. Having come on and done the hold up play and caused some problems in the middle, taking him away and putting him out on the left where he looked ridiculously uncomfortable was mad, whilst meanwhile down the middle Church barely touched the ball all half.
The "move-on" crowd won't like it but I am still utterly pissed off and frustrated by Powell's removal even after a good result tonight. The sides picked and the performances produced during the last 3 games have been hardly recognisable as different from CP. The same problems are still there. If we don't have a proper striker and at least one proper attacking midfield player we can't score. Doesn't matter who the manager is. And to see the new guy getting the opportunity to sign Powell's long-term target Obika must be very frustrating for SCP. Basically, Powell should still be there.
Anyway, a great result. We now have 4 very tricky games coming up and I might start to believe we can stay up if we're still in touching distance of safety after that run.
Set up with a 4-5-1 with Poyet and Cousins holding and Jackson looking to get up in support of Church. No network players started. No comment. Interesting that Green was given a chance in the problem position on the right hand side of midfield. Seems Riga (or Dyer) has a clear preference for Dervite over Wood.
The players have clearly been instructed to be more thoughtful and patient in possession. It wasn't always effective, but it was quite noticeable. We were very committed throughout.
The tactical change on just forty minutes (Obika for Harriott) was very decisive and almost worked immediately when Obika turned and shot just before half time. As Harriott came off Riga put his hand on the player's shoulder and appeared to explain the decision. Green was next off, on about sixty minutes from memory, and had not distinguished himself. Sordell played on the right of midfield and showed some nice touches without ever looking comfortable.
What is Diego Poyet on? He was outstanding this evening and appears to be growing in confidence and stature with every game. I don't think he misplaced a pass this evening and got forward more, almost scoring with a terrific drive which was well parried by Lee Camp.
I felt Bournemouth looked a decent side. They passed and moved nicely and were powerful in the air, but they never really threatened which was a credit to our back four. This was, therefore, a very good win. Despite having had much the better of the second half it looked as if it wasn't going to be until the excellent Dorian Dervite headed in a Jackson corner in injury time.
Really pleased for the players and the Manager. Riga is a grown up. His programme notes were positive, but measured, sensible and dignified. He praised the fans for our support. He's made a good start. Let's hope it continues.
We now have four very difficult matches on the bounce, but if we are still well placed after that run of games we'll be very well set up to secure survival during the run in.
For those who are interested I thought Simon Francis had a decent game.
Off the pace
Out of position
No cover for Wilson
Worst free kick I have ever seen
Swearing at random people in the east stand in front of kids
I've never disliked a player more in my life but let's not ruin the moment
It was actually quite a good game of football, made all the better for getting three lovely juicy points.
My goodness we needed that after what has been happening, we have tough games coming up, and points remain the priority, it is nice to be out of the bottom three on goal difference, but we can't rely on that factor to get us safe, and must hope it is a platform for more points to come.
The game was a competition between all the players, and it was not a game strewn with errors but one where everybody certainly gave it their best shot (more or less), it is good to see that the team spirit remains with the players.
Like everybody I was a little surprised Danny Green was there but at least with Danny you know what you're going to get, and that's what we got. Cousins and Poyet were deployed well, and when Obika came on (was Harriott injured?), and JJ went wide left it worked very well, not least because of the relationship between Wiggy and JJ down that side. The other sub was an attacking one you might argue, but then again it was to replace dear old Danny, which probably didn't weaken the team!
I was very worried when Bournemouth brought on Yann, and the nippy substitute, and in the game they had a couple of near misses and Hamer was called on a few times...well that was assuming Hamer would actually be in the penalty area. I felt the support helped too, and the JJ free kick, corner, goal was to a large extent because at that time Bournemouth could sense the pressure, and they failed to hold out...good. Classic towering downward powerful header from Dorian, a beauty actually.
The East Stand lino looked older than me fer gawdsake, and he was terrible, made more amusing with his assertive shakes of the head when he got things wrong, the ref was a poser but didn't really get many calls wrong.
In terms of us I was musing between Poyet and Jackson as our best players, but I would go for Poyet, if he could be signed up it would be the biggest statement of intent that Roland could manage, but it will take shedloads of dosh I fancy. All the players played well, with the exception of Danny G, and Bournemouth were much better than QPR, certainly in their attitude. Mind you a last minute win is a great way to do things isn't it?
So the king is dead long live the king, although it was almost a replica of the QPR game so you could also say meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
The formation in the second half was positive, but having Church as the main target through the middle didn't work, as he wins nothing in the air, for a striker his leaps are terrible. Obika needs to play through the middle, as that photo at the top of page 5 shows, he has good spring and is much more mobile. If Church plays (and personally I wouldn't pick him), perhaps he ought to be out wide as a channel runner?
After all the talk of RD picking the team, not only did the starting lineup have none of the RD/Liege signings, it bizarrely had no loan players in it at all! So the stories about Powell being told to pick RD players are all rather mysterious. Was Reza left out or injured, as he wasn't on the bench and mysteriously Tudgay was back!
Good we are out of the bottom 3 but a long way to go yet.
One of the teams around us will pick up some form before the end of the season so we need to keep our mini revival going.
Proper meltdown on spanners online
Was Sordell played out of position but done well? Square pegs in round holes allowed when we win
Limped off.
And pretty much yes, right wing and Obika on the left, but allowed to roam about a bit, worked well against Bournemouth in the dying stages not sure we could risk it in a Starting XI though, showed promise
Poyet gets better & better and in the last 10 mins decided to start moving forward with it, culminating in a terrific shot when Camp did well to save. Church once again showed that he can run but can shoot for toffee - missed the easiest chance of the match & soon Riga has to see sense & drop him.
I posted on here yesterday that I didn't think much of Obika..........just started my second helping of humble pie as I think his entrance on 40 mins changed the complexion of the match - before then we were going nowhere but as soon as he came on we looked a different side. Harriott didn't look injured (although an earlier post on here said he had his ankle strapped up after the game) and if it was tactical then Riga is a genius.
As for all you Green knockers - at least he was the only player in the 1st half to have a shot (2 to be precise) which you cant say for Church, Harriott, Sordell...........
I think Wilson will get my POTY - another steady game & towards to end made some game saving tackles.
Under CP we would have lost that game - love the guy but Riga showed how to make substitutions and didn't decide to defend that last 10 mins as CP would have done.
Oh joy thanks dervite and the boys god am I going to give it to them!
Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Riga!!!
I thought Morrison was superb and his commitment to the cause makes him a serious contender as the player of the season. Obika was good, a player who has a good song and it must give him confidence. A player sometimes just fits in a club. I think he does.
What a difference that table now looks comparred to sat morning!
The biggest issue I has going forward, not with the strikers per se, but the lack of a midfielder willing to commit to attacking left us bereft of options throughout.
Defence were the big plus. Good in the air, hard tackling and not diving in. Probably midfielder away from a reasonable side.