S-Clarke

Ben Godfrey 😉

For sure, I get that. I don't think people are saying he's a like for like, but people are seeing similarities in his style of play I think. I see potential too, he's got a lot of growth in his game that a good coach could mould, but how much money I'd be prepared to shell out is questionable. It's a tricky call and one we'll have to trust Ralph with!

I've always seen him as part of the problem, Redmond as well, to a certain extent. Both very risk averse players, but at least Redmond has changed it up a little in the last 18 months - but the last few weeks he has reverted to type unfortunately. Hoj is a safe player, he'd rather keep the ball going backwards than take a risk with an incisive pass. In my eyes he is certainly one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, why we've failed to win games at home over the last 3 years. Anyway, for me the best stories from this season - - Ings - Armstrong (Really like him) - JWP (he's come onto a different level IMO) - Bednerak (one of the better CB's in the league, IMO - partner him with some pace and power and we'll be laughing). Horror stories - - Gunn (I thought he'd be a good signing, highly rated - but he's been a disaster) - Adams (He's got good attributes, but a return of 1 goal isn't really good enough when he scored 22 last year) - Valery (Hopelessly out of his depth IMO).

I think he has the same style of play on the ball, that's why I've likened him to Clyne. Similar height too, similarly agile. But of course, it's a racist comparison. Can anyone say anything in this world anymore? Or do we all lock ourselves away, avoid saying what we want in fear of outright outrage?

The guy is like a machine, he never seems to struggle with fitness. Is he actually human??

He's a ball winning midfielder, but when he does win the ball it's either a sideways or backwards pass - or he'll give it away. He's an obvious 'leader' because he shouts and waves his arms about a lot, very vocal, but sometimes it's best to let the football do the talking and that's not something he's really been too good at. I'd say he's mobile, but not quick - pretty slow really, but he does cover the ground to win the ball back (after he's given it away). To me, I look at him and he's like a poor man's Schneiderlin - obviously you have experience of Schneiderlin too, so think of him but someone with less presence on the pitch and less 'technical' ability on the ball. All in all, a bog standard average central midfield player. Mid-table PL football is probably his level, but he seems to think he's deserving of more which I've never really quite understood. Truth be told, I won't miss him. I like powerful, mobile, incisive central midfielders who do the talking through their football - and he's certainly not that type of player. Good luck with him if you get him, but he's not really a huge upgrade on what you have.

How shit are Burnley by the way? Really can't quite understand how they are where they are in the table, they have no real quality in that side. Norwich have better individual players, I guess with Burnley it's the mix and the team spirit they have which is why they are there, they haven't got to where they are through quality. Some may argue, but when Eric Peiter's and Phil Bardsley start for you in the Premier League, it's safe to say they've overachieved somehow.

Interesting comments from Ralph too - "Every player has his own story for why we want to win against this club,” Hasenhuttl said.

Brentford, after playing so freely for weeks, look to have the weight of the entire world on their shoulders at the moment. It's amazing what the tiniest bit of pressure can do to players, they just haven't turned up and are 1-0 down to Stoke at the moment.

Agree, I think we'll be operating in the 10-20m bracket for the rest of eternity! Which is frustrating when Bournemouth have been able to splash 25-30m on a player, he didn't do much but still - would be good to have an owner who wanted the club.

Let's not buy another non-scoring striker, please.

Weird.

On another note, nice to see Austin really setting the levels at WBA. They really don't like him there, calling him a L1 player on a downward path. If Robson-Kanu gets in the team ahead of you, it's clear your time is up at the 'top levels'. Shame, he was such a nice 'chap'.

Well done for not turning up Watford! Biggest game of their season, maybe the last 2 seasons. Remaining games against City and Arsenal, their only hope is that Bournemouth don't pickup 3 points in the next two games - as Watford aren't going to pick anything.

There was a lot of talk about the op and procedures he had being an absolute mess, and that kind of says it all. Good to see him back and scoring though. Always liked Jay, shame for him as he could have been a very, very good player and would probably have left as part of our exodus post MP.

Their regression continues if those are the level of targets they are aiming for.

Apart from the best dugouts. They won that league.

JWP isn't human, so I assume he will start. He'd probably start again if the game was tonight.

This is what I'm hoping, we've got a terrific coach here and it would be such a waste if he's not backed - again. I'm not sure where the backing is coming from though, we have an owner who doesn't give two hoots about us.

Yeah, PEH's states are influenced by the fact he goes backwards more often than not. When he does keep the ball it's in a very passive and safe way. Slows the entire team down when he's in it. Even Romeu offers more incisive passing than he does.

The worry for me is lack of goals. Long is a decent foil for Ings, that's why he was signed up - but he doesn't score goals, neither does Adams and Obafemi is raw. So....take Ings out of the side, and we have no real ability to win games. I hope the club realise this, as we'd be dicing with death.

That would be ideal! Not sure we have the money for all that! I reckon we'll get one CB and RB though, and maybe an additional attacker later on in the window. Reed will be given the chance.

Looks a decent player, good cover for Bertrand - seems more than capable. Just don't put the poor lad next to Vestergaard.

Are they blind?

The Bissouma shot from the penalty spot? He just fell asleep I think, he's got a lot of learning to do. He's certainly not good enough to step in and be a regular next year, but I think he has something about him.