Enjoyable game to watch, but not clinical enough, which has been our problem too often. Willian didn’t offer enough, poor finish from Ruben’s pass, the misses from Emerson and Giroud at the end were particularity poor, Giroud doesn’t inspire much confidence in front of goal.

I didn’t think Barkley offered much either, he’s too slow at times and picks the wrong pass and has the occasional wild effort on goal, he’s dipped in form. Ruben was our most dangerous player until Hazard came on and he’s definitely improved, as I told the doubters he would. Kovacic & Fabregas were solid, Pedro was very good when he came on. I like to see him start ahead of Willian, the problem with that is he’s very influential as an impact sub, due to his speed and work rate, he always tracks back.

I thought we were decent defensively, until Luiz came on and had a couple of brain fart moments, Christensen was better today. I’m not Emerson’s biggest fan but he has to start games until we bring in another left back, it’s a simple as that, just the better player imo. Job done, on to the semi-finals.

Edited December 19, 20187 yr by Floyd25

On recent evidence I'd say RLC is ready to start more often. I wouldn't mind seeing Jorginho/Kante/RLC against Leicester

 

We do tend to pass and flick a lot without much penetration. That’s the one thing that Pedro adds, he’s very direct, I like that and I think when he’s playing like that it encourages Eden.

On a different matter, much as I dislike dele Alli that was a classy finish.

1 minute ago, forbzy said:

On? recent evidence I'd say RLC is ready to start more of?ten???.

He offers more as a winger than our actual winger, so I agree. 

Really lots to enjoy there. There could have been more goals - from both sides - but we'll take a win anytime. Bournemouth are a damn good team.

Very good performance from RLC tonight, considering he played in at least 3 different positions. Kovacic was more effective on the right of midfield. Azpi showed the intensity and desire for the whole 90 mins, especially when trying to claim for throw ins and free kicks that were not ours  

We are certainly not clinical enough and missed at least 3 excellent chances.

Am I the only one that wants to see spudz in the next round? This it would be an Epic affair.

Good performance Bournemouth made it difficult sitting back and playing on the counter but if we were more clinical could have been easy, glad we took it more seriously than some of our supporters, RLC starting to look an absolute rolls Royce of a player. UTC. 

Piers Morgan - what a w*nker

Spurs at a venue to be decided......a chance for revenge but it'll be tough

edit - I'd forgotten the semis are 2-legs, still don't know where their home tie will be - Milton Keynes?? 

Edited December 19, 20187 yr by carrickblue

I said this morning City would get Burton 

Man City with the easy draw yet again.

How lucky.

 

Hummmm.

Spuds it is. City have been lucky in the draw in the last couple of years. 

What a surprise...if we can beat spurs then city in the final. Bs would rather have drawn city now. 

Looking forward to playing Burton in the Final !

4 minutes ago, carrickblue said:

Piers Morgan - what a w*nker

Looks like an hobbit to me 

Edited December 19, 20187 yr by robdog

1 minute ago, robdog said:

Looks like an hobbit to me 

Looks like a c**t to me

29 minutes ago, Jezq8 said:

Bet we get spurs in the semifinals 

hmm

Tonight was..........

 

 

Think we should look at resigning Ake too.

RLC is good in attack but in the middle three not so much. You couldn't possibly pick him in front of Kante, he simply doesn't cover enough ground in defence, strong enough, wins the one on one challenges but lets the player go when they are past him and just doesn't work hard enough. In attack his fast feet and strength only need to be backed up with a few more goals and he'd be there. There doesn't seem to be exactly the right position for him.

 

1 minute ago, ozboy said:

RLC is good in attack but in the middle three not so much. You couldn't possibly pick him in front of Kante, he simply doesn't cover enough ground in defence, strong enough, wins the one on one challenges but lets the player go when they are past him and just doesn't work hard enough. In attack his fast feet and strength only need to be backed up with a few more goals and he'd be there. There doesn't seem to be exactly the right position for him.

 

He worked just as hard as anyone today. Maybe more so, he was still chasing back and putting in tackles in the 90th minute. This lack of hard work thing is just bollocks.

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Think we should look at resigning Ake too.

Should never have let him go in my opinion. Then again I imagine he was looking for more playing time and might have been hard for us to provide that sort of guarantee

26 minutes ago, Argo said:

Don't start with these conspiracy theories, last time we were in a semi final draw we got by far the most favourable tie.

Still a conspiracy Argo? You can say it could just as well be spurs as any other and you would be right......but how did bellamy know the Draw a day before? Is this the first time this has happened? Thats a big no. I cant understand why even our own fans refuse to contemplate the sh*t is bent just a bit. Eng footy is only the most popular.....the richest around. With super rich people behind it.....lords behind it.....freemasons behind it......you believe its clean then ok, but I dont believe it for a sec. 

2 minutes ago, ozboy said:

RLC is good in attack but in the middle three not so much. You couldn't possibly pick him in front of Kante, he simply doesn't cover enough ground in defence, strong enough, wins the one on one challenges but lets the player go when they are past him and just doesn't work hard enough. In attack his fast feet and strength only need to be backed up with a few more goals and he'd be there. There doesn't seem to be exactly the right position for him.

 

Not in place of Kante for sure, but maybe Kovacic?