doddisalegend

He is still basking in the glory of Puel being sacked by Christmas prediction.

Even at our worst this season we aren't even close to Sunderland's usual standards over the last few years. Is getting to our first major cup final since 2003 not growing the club (and yes a win would have been better)?

So which big CF lump would you like Puel to play these players off. Bit harsh to accuse the manager of not playing to these players strengths when he doesn't have the tool required to get the best out of them.

Which ones? Tadic hasn't been any different the sublime to the ridiculous usually all in one match Bertrand is still playing well Cedric has improved Yoshida has improved JWP has improved Steven Davis is still solid but unspectacular Clasie is still **** VVD has been even better this season than last Romeu much better than last season Forester has gone backwards Long arguably has gone backwards but arguably last season was a one off for him Jrod certainly no worse than last season Austin better than last season but that's not saying much (as hardly played last season) Cuco no different The rest of the team are academy boys or new so pretty hard to judge if they have improved but I would say McQueen, Redmond and Stephens have all improved over the season Sims has looked decent enough Hoj and Boufal have got worse. So who are all these previously strong performing players not doing it this season wouldn't be Mane, Pelle, Fonte and big Vic would it?

We were not a shambles at the back we had one bad patch at the end of the game with some comedy defending but were otherwise solid and kept a clean sheet. We didn't pay a huge amount for Caceres he was brought him in as a free agent on a short term contract as cover because we lacked cover at CB after VVDs injury. The players aren't alarming under Puel what we lack, what we've lacked most of the season, is a goal scorer upfront. Gabby was the missing piece unfortunately after a few games he gets injured and we are back to the same non scoring strikers who have held us back all season.

yeah what we are seeing now is far worse than watching Lloyd James, Bradly wright Philips and McGoldrick struggling under two clueless Dutch blokes. We are not even the most mediocre team in the PL.

Howe took until the 70th minute to change things despite being, in your words, being overrun in midfield hardly the sign of changing things quicker from the opposition manager...

Much more like 25 minutes. We came out at started the second half stronger than them but faded lots of players looked knackered mid way through the second half. The subs also failed to make any impact and probably weakened us but Jrod wasn't having much impact and so Long was our only option. God knows what has happened to Boufal but he isn't bringing anything at the moment and McQueen kind of made sense in attempt to get Boufal more involved.

Pretty much this. Next season will be the one to judge Puel on this season he had to cope with another rebuilding job while trying to juggle Europe, cope with Fonte's meltdown, gets us to a cup final and cope with injuries to Austin (still our top scorer) and VVD (top 3 CBs in the league. Finally the club gets him the striker he needs and we look a different team scoring for fun and no one is complaining said striker gets injured and dickheads are out in force again....

How many of Bournemouth's players were away on international duty compared to us I think of the players who started for us today only Jrod and Romeu got to stay at home with their feet up probably no surprise that Romeu was the only player who really didn't fade in todays game.

Yeah I wonder how many of Bournemouth's team were away on international duty a lot of our players looked leggy last 30. Happy with a point the scenes with their fans, players and Eddie at the end were cringe worthy celebrating like they had just turned over Barca away from home rather than just getting a 0-0 in the PL.

We would have with Gabbi playing or maybe even Austin but Jrod is finished here and Long hasn't been much cop at all this season.

We were the better team all over the pitch bar the last 20 when several players were blowing out their arses. The finishing on display from both sides show why both teams are were they are in the table both sides forwards couldn't hit a barn door at two paces. We play the way we did today with Gabbi up front and we win. Long and Jrod are just not up to it and we need to refresh our striking department in the summer. Jack Wilshere is still trying to find his way out of Romeu's pocket. Ref and linos were dodgy at best with several questionable calls. Forster flaps at corners but pulled off one good save. Overall a pretty entertaining 0-0 between two teams with nothing left to play for. Oh and considering we don't care about this non derby you could have fooled me never seen people celebrate a missed penalty so enthusiastically.

You didn't see the game did you......

Nah he will be gone in the summer Gabbi, Austin, Long and big Sam as our striker's next season. Unless Jrod is looking to move to Bournemouth..

Back to non scoring strikers no Gabbi or Austin means no goal threat. Long to try and break the record for most of offsides in one game ( having set a new record against spurs) to win the much sort after Papa Wagio trophy.

Do bidding wars happen in this day and age? Normally the player and his agent have already agreed terms with the new club before the new club makes an offer. If Chelsea are confident of signing VVD it will be because they have contacted his agent and already thrashed out a deal and just need to come to an agreement with saints for a fee even if another club comes in for VVD if he has his heart set on Chelsea he won't go to another club even if they offer us more cash.

What it always comes down to is do you want a better player who is unhappy and not giving it all or a lesser player who wants to be here a work hard every week. The club said no to Morgan and he continued to perform, they said no Victor and he certainly didn't play to his potential in his last season with us. It all depends on the personality of the player if VVD one of those that says OK at being told "no" and continues to give his all great on the other hand he might turn out like Berhino or Fonte in which case its a waste of time keeping a VVD going through the motions and giving 50% on the field. The truth is the only people who can make that call are inside the club.

I guess the club picked up on the song https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-03-30/saints-afc-bournemouth-edition-now-available

The key being "We would like to keep this group together" unfortunately what you want and what you get aren't always the same thing...

The race to 40pts is hardly the stirring stuff of excitement though is it

I wonder how many spurs have had they seem to get almost 1 every game...

If he goes to Chelsea I want Ake coming the other way please

Our season has petered out with injuries and having nothing left to really to play for. I'm having trouble getting excited about the rest of the season (probably be fine once I actually get to the game) but basically this season was defined by the cup final the rest of the season post cup final is a bit meh. I'll go because I have an ST but if I didn't I probably wouldn't be breaking my neck to get tickets.

Maybe the PL should bring an easy switch program so we can switch to the best ST deal each season "Well yeah last year I went with Chelsea but this year I got a better deal with Burnley" .....