striker

Dele Alli with a great through ball for another score by Son, 3-0 Spurs now. Kane just scored too.

Harry Kane just missed an open net for the Spurs. Should have been 2-0

This lineup would guarantee 0 goals, why go back to that way again? I like PEH, but we need some scorers too. Haven't we learned this lineup just creates a lot of possession time around midfield.

Agree with this. Austin isn't slow, he's just not as agile/quick as Long, etc. I think this is what rubs some people, and for some spots on the pitch is absolutely critical. However for a striker Austins good. He is making smart runs, and once he gets moving he is pretty fast (he just needs to get moving). Granted if we are going to ask our strikers to play some midfield too, then this will be an issue. This is one of the reasons I keep thinking Long would be a good midfielder. Austins game is having a good shot which is very accurate, playing well in the air, and tenacity in front of the net (good goal scorers all have this). When he senses a chance he is going 100% after it, regardless what is happening around him.

Austin is now our leading scorer even though he's played only 46% of the minutes of Gabbi & Long. Gabbi and Long have played about 680 minutes, Austin only 315. In general Austin scores a goal every 2 games, which is in line with what he did given a full PL run at QPR. There he had 18 over the course of the season. I also agree with the above folks who think the mids have more confidence when Austin is there. Again its hard to quantify and substantiate, but it does seem to be the case. They are very actively looking to fire balls into the box, seemingly confidence that eventually Austin will get on the end of one.

If Long could score goals he'd may be a fairly good striker

Offsides aren't necessarily a strikers fault, the runs need to be timed. If a striker makes a run and the mid delivers the ball too late, its going to be offsides. So the offside stuff doesn't bother me. Think about it, who else on the squad was worrying Howe? I guarantee you that every time Charlie got near the ball he held his breath, and relaxed when someone else got control. What's important is not the pace he has (he isn't quick I'll give you that, he definitely needs to get a head of steam going), but the facts that he 1)scores consistently, 2) creates chances continually (because no one scores on all their chances), and 3) plays good hold up play. 3 goals in 2 matches, he gives us a chance and a spark. Yes I know that he isn't quick or agile, but he brings other things.

Agree, he did work his butt off out there. The "early season MP relegates" Boufal, Austin, and Hoj need to be out there a lot for us 2nd half of the season

Thought we played a good 2nd half Hoedt was poor, cost us that goal, and almost cost us a 2nd one Redmond on for JWP made a big difference, also switching sides with Tadic Austin is the only guy we have putting fear in the D. Had the goal, had 2 other good chances, and likely would have had the game winner if Bertrand squared his pass off more. Did anyone else have a SOG? I think I remember one other one. People need to get off the "pace is all that matters" soapbox. Every squad needs a scorer or two out there. Like so see the 2 upfront more. I just don't think we have the attacking mids necessary for lone striker setup Although Bertrand missed Austin, I think he played well. I also like he was really upset about it, it showed he cares Thought VVD and Tadic played well

Time for the late goal to make up for ManCity

2 up font! Now we can get it.

Exactly. I mean who else do you think Bournemouth is concerned about right now. If Bertrand had squared his pass he'd have 2 for sure.

Austin continually threatening in there

Lemina for Tadic

Keep the pressure on!

Bertrand is still ****ed at himself, holding his head on the pitch At least he cares.

Everyone else on this time, except Gabbi, would have likely missed the goal completely

That is why we have to play Austin

Going "full boufal" this half

Yoshida >>> Hoedt

Redmond on for JWP

We need to get Gabbi in for someone and team him up top with Austin. The issue with the 1 striker with us is that it means we have midfielders running into forward positions, and they aren't scorers. I'd rather go 2 upfront and have two guys who can score there.

Boufal missed a great chance near the end, and Austin had a nice header off of a JWP cross that the goalie saved. Outside of that we had a lot of possession but didn't do much. Hoedt looked poor. He almost gave up a goal earlier when he let the forward get inside him for a header, nice save by FF though, and then he did give when up with his screw up.

Hoedt has been terrible

Hoedt is scaring me out there