Smashed 0-3 by Watford - the Cherries are in deep, deep trouble

Match Report

AFCB 0 v 3 Watford

12 January 2020

Attendance: 10,384

A bottom of the table clash.

Are Bournemouth one of the worst three sides in the Premier League this season? On this showing, yes, they truly are. While hardly managing a shot in the first half, Bournemouth fell behind to a goal of their own making, by gifting Sarr the ball by playing out from the back and seeing Decouré clip the ball past Mark Travers. It only got worse with Troy Deeney lashing in a second goal on 65 minute, before Pereyra made Bournemouth suffer even more with a third goal in added time. Even Eddie Howe has run out of excuses for his players' poor performances.

Bournemouth had Adam Smith and Nathan Aké back from Injury in defence and Mark Travers got a start in goal over Aaron Ramsdale, who had a hamstring problem. Billing was moved to the bench, despite scoring two goals in the FA Cup last week.

Ramsdale joins the fans in the North stand.

More images on Match Day Gallery

Match Description
It was a defending noise at the start of the game. Sarr put an early cross in AFCB 's box but Harry Wilson defended well.

Sarr then was put through but shot wide after Fraser gave the ball away. Watford's corner was cleared by Steve Cook for a second corner. Denney went down on the box but VAR said no foul.

Aké was playing at left back and Adam Smith on the right. I'm not sure why Aké can't play centre-back when Bournemouth had Rico on the bench.

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Adam Smith's shot bounced up towards Solanke but Foster got there first to smother it.

Lerma was fouled is fouled. Harry Wilson pulls a save out of Foster for a corner. Lerma wins some headers but Callum Wilson couldn't get a shot away.

Adam Smith is booked for sliding in on Sarr. Meanwhile, Harry Wilson has hurt his shoulder.

 There'sno real pattern to the game, but many tasty challenges. Francis gives the ball away and Travers saves well at the near post from Delefeuo. Really poor from Francis. Deeney heads wide from the corner.

Gosling blocks Decouré. Bournemouth are playing themselves into trouble at the back.

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Fraser puts too much on his cross. Fraser gets in behind again on 24 minutes for a corner. Aké challenges Foster in the air, but the ball doesn't drop Bournemouth's way.

Deeney wins a header but it's wide. Harry Wilson goes for a long shot and gets a corner.

Lerma knocks his knee but continues. Adam Smith goes down and gets a free kick. Lerma volleys it over.

Travers makes a mistake at the back giving it away to Sarr, it is crossed back for an easy tap in by Decouré. Francis gave Travers the ball right on his goal line and Steve Cook didn't exactly make himself easily available for Travers. That was careless and has gifted Watford the goal they wanted.

 Bournemouth free kick. It's cleared.

Fraser gets a corner, Adam Smith gets back to tackle Deulofeu.

A goal down at half-time.

Second half
Fraser crossed well but Foster cat he's it ahead of Gosling. Going makes a good break but can't get Solanke in. Mariappa crossed to Doucouré but the header is weak. Watford have a corner. Capoue  has a shot blocked.

Fraser gets a corner. Callum Wilson heads wide. Lerma then shoots wide.

Ake hurts his back but runs back and Deulofeu. has put the chance over.

Deeney is carded for fouling Harry Wilson. Callum brings the ball down from Fraser's cross but puts it wide.

Lerma and Gosling are subbed for Billing and Lewis Cook on 59 minutes.

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Billing bursts into the box but can't control it. Wilson and Solanke break well before Fraser's cross is held by Foster. Chalobah shoots wide for Watford from distance.

Sarr gets down the right and when his shot is blocked, Deeney lashes it in for 0-2 on 65 minutes.

Steve Cook stops Deulofeu and Deeney hits the rebound at Travers. Billing volleys wide.

Francis blocks Deulofeu and Watford have a corner. Harry Wilson is subbed for Sam Surridge.

Surridge beats a player to get in the box but has no shot. Foster punches a free kick away ahead of Steve Cook. Sarr is subbed for Pereyra on 82 minutes.

Decouré shoots and it goes out for a throw. Billing shoots wide at the other end.

Decouré is subbed for Success on 85 minutes. Delefeuo is subbed for Gray on 90 minutes. Four minutes of added time go up.

Watford grab a third despite Fraser saving a shot on the line, Prereyra scores.

Bournemouth are rooted in the bottom three.

Summary
A dismal performance by the Cherries. They couldn't keep the ball and they didn't know how to work the ball well enough to create any chances. Meanwhile, they caused their own chaos at the back by playing it out when under a high press. I wonder if the players have their own heads sometimes. They can choose when to go long and play safe and when they have time to play out from the back, but taking unnecessary risks in the team's current position is asking for trouble. As Eddie Howe said, they never recovered from the first goal.

AFCB Line up

AFCB subs: Boruc, Rico, Simpson, Surman, L Cook, Billling, Surridge

AFCB player ratings
Travers 5, A Smith 5, S Cook 5, Francis 3, Ake 5, H Wilson 4, Lerma 4 (Billing 4), Gosling 4
(L Cook 5), Fraser 7, Solanke 4, C Wilson 4.

Ref Watch: Mike Dean - 5/10

Cherry Chimes MoM: Ryan Fraser - he really kept trying.

Watford
26 Foster, 6 Mariappa, 4 Dawson, 15 Cathcart, 11 Masina 14 Chalobah, 29 Capoue
23 Sarr (Pereyra), 16 Doucouré (Quina), 7 Deulofeu (Gray), 9 Deeney

Watford Subs
1 Gomes, 18 Gray, 20 Quina, 22 Success, 24 Dele-Bashiru, 25 Holebas, 37 Pereyra

In other news, Asmir Begovic has a medical for Inter Milan.

Danjuma's first start could have been so much better

I wondered how Arnaut Danjuma felt when he stepped off the field on Saturday to be replaced by Harry Wilson. He had just completed his first start for his new club and knew that he could have been a match winner, if he had just reacted better, when Josh King had laid on an exquisite pass for him, across the box, that he would surely normally have knocked in.

Danjuma has o take his chances when in front of goal.

The day started brightly enough at Watford for Danjuma. He was perhaps criticised a little by Jason Tindall for not getting back and helping out Diego Rico enough, but Pererya was causing problems all afternoon for Bournemouth and all the players were wondering where he would pop up next.

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Once Danjuma had got his passing better, he did get into some great positions, and there was no better one than at the end of that first half, when he looked certain to score. It looked like he had made up his mind early to keep the shot low, as Foster came rushing out. It was a shame, as if he had lifted his head and just chipped the ball, he probably would have given AFCB a half-time lead.

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Now he will look at this week wondering why he didn't do that. He will be fighting for his place again and he'll have to show some sharp shooting this week in training, if he is to retain his place. I have been pleased that Danjuma is making the right kind of runs and is creating space for himself to get shots away, but he just needs to find more accuracy and confidence that he is going to score.

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It's strange how confidence and surroundings can make such a difference. Look at Lys Mousset now,. He can't stop scoring for Sheffield United, but he's still the same player he was at Bournemouth. But having people believe in you makes a lot of difference.

Rival Lines: 'Contain and then destroy' - the Watford plan?

Rival Lines

Match Preview: Watford v AFCB

Podcast Interview: From the Rookery End
Twitter: @Watfordpodcast

Watford have become a team that Bournemouth have found good rivals in recent season ever since the Championship days. But meetings in the most have been close and with Watford's start to this season Jason at From the Rookery End has every right to be confident of the Hornet's chances as they line up against the Cherries this weekend.


CC: Why do you think Javi Gracia has taken to the Premier League so well?

FTRE:  I think there's still a way to go before we can truly judge where Javi sits amongst those that have led Watford in the Premier League. There have been ups, downs and points of improvement since he joined in early 2018. His home record is incredible and on a par with the top six teams. His away record was less than impressive for the back end of last season and we didn't score outside of Vicarage Road, under him at all, until our first away game this season. But unlike the other head coaches, who have ruled under the Pozzos in the top flight, he has had the advantage of a full pre-season, with players he'd had the chance to look at and with the opportunity to put things into place exactly as he wanted them. So far, this seems to be bearing fruit for the Hornets.

CC: Are you at all fearful of Watford doing their regular season trick of getting points on the board before having a poor second half of the season?

FTRE:  Given the fast start, that has already been in the back of the minds of some Watford fans and being predicted on the social media timelines of rival supporters! What we have benefited from so far, touch wood, is a very settled team with minimal disruption to the starting 11 through injuries or suspensions. Our treatment list has rivalled that of the hospital next door to the stadium in recent seasons. So maybe if things can improve on that front, the "typical Watford" limp to the summer break might become a slow trot or jog for a change!!

CC: Do you think Andre Gray is going to have a much stronger impact this season and that he can score goals in this team?

FTRE:  He can and he has done so far, with three to his name already this season. He is one player who is definitely more suited to the change in formation that Gracia has implemented. Now playing alongside Troy Deeney, opposition defenders have some thinking to do. With Troy dropping short to receive and hold up the ball and Gray using his pace to try and stretch the defence, gaps are created for the likes of Roberto Pereyra to exploit. With Will Hughes, Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure all comfortable going forwards and our full backs equally encouraged to do so, Andre will then find space of his own to take advantage of.

CC: Daryl Janmaat's injury has coincided with a slight slowdown in Watford's results, is he an underrated player?

FTRE:  I don't think many Watford fans expected neither Daryl, nor his left sided compatriot Jose Holebas to be the starting full backs this season. Kiko Femenia delighted the stands with his performances in the right back slot, ahead of his own injury troubles last season. His pace causing opposing players defensive worries, as well as making it difficult for the wingers he was up against to get away from him. But with Kiko preferred in a more advanced role, albeit from the bench this season, Janmaat has had the chance to show off his qualities again. Javi's desire for his full backs to attack has suited Daryl, particularly as he likes to make runs outside to in and pop up unexpectedly in the penalty area. Occasionally there are question marks over his defending, but if he can put his frequent injury troubles behind him and get a good run in the team, then we hope he can iron those problems out and establish himself as first choice once more.

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CC: Troy Deeney seems to be back to his best. How would you rate him against previous Watford captains?

FTRE:  There was talk of Troy leaving this summer. In fact there's always talk of Troy leaving in the majority of transfer windows. And we always say the same thing. It would take at least two players to replace him. The striker and the leader. He's done this job for a while now. So he's not just the captain, but (avoiding calling him Mr. Watford) he is that consistent element, part of the club, our club, his club, that he is the obvious, natural and correct choice to lead this team. It's difficult to rate him against other Watford captains as the culture at the club is very different to the time before he became captain, as is the role of the captain in the media, both social and mainstream. And I'm sure you've noticed Troy doesn't mind the odd media appearance! However, when the time does come for Troy to depart from the Vic, I'm sure he'll be spoken about alongside legends of Watford past.

CC: Roberto Peryera has also been amongst the goals. Why has he been so effective in the way Garcia has set up the team?

FTRE:  Bobby P is back playing in his favourite position, on the left and cutting back on to his right foot. Last season he picked up an injury in the first game of the season. Richarlison came on to replace him and made that position his own. Even when exhausted towards the end of the season, he was still ahead of Pereyra when it came to the team sheet. Roberto was deployed in other positions behind the lone striker, but never to the same effect.

CC: Watford were well in the game against Arsenal when it slipped away in the last 10 minutes. But do you believe Watford can go to top six grounds and get results more often now?

FTRE:  What was in evidence against Arsenal probably more so than in our other recent games against top sides is that we are making ourselves as hard to beat as we possibly can, but not holding back in creating chances by doing so. Fitness seems to be key to this and the team works incredibly hard to make up for where we can't match the opposition for skill. If we do want to go to the grounds of the big six and win, then we need to take our chances. Something that we didn't do against Arsenal. But that performance showed that it is an achievable aim.

CC: Three established Premier League teams were relegated last season, so do you feel Watford are in a much stronger position to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle these days than when they first came up?

FTRE:  Absolutely. We've gone through many changes, player wise and head coaches. Perhaps there are some areas where we have tinkered and perhaps not advanced as much in terms of the ability of the players as when we first arrived in the top flight. But this summer has been more about topping up the squad. The core has remained the same and grown together, and over the seasons we have been able to add real quality with the likes of Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeou. As well as adding some exciting prospects such as Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah. But we cannot be complacent and think the job is done just because of our playing squad. They still need to work hard for those results!!

CC: Beating Spurs in the league was probably Watford's highlight of the season so far. What do you think inspired the comeback and belief that day?

FTRE:  It felt very similar to the Arsenal game from the previous season, famous now for Deeney's "cojones" comment post match. I feel the only reason we had to come from behind was because we were too cautious early on. Perhaps that was part of the game plan, contain then destroy. But it must have been hard to explain from a Spurs point of view. Three big centre backs on the pitch and they allowed themselves to be bullied out of the game by a determined Watford side. The belief wasn't just on the pitch. As the side grew in confidence so did the crowd and the whole thing just seemed to snowball towards a fitting crescendo.

CC: Is Ben Foster a big reason for the goals against being so low?

FTRE:  He's part of the reason, but not the only one. The consistent centre back pairing of Craig Cathcart and the ever improving (and king of Watford Twitter!) Christian Kabasele have impressed in this fledgling season. There's still work to be done. Only one clean sheet so far won't have been good for the defensive bonus pot I'm sure, but the signs are promising. As for Ben, we knew what we were getting as he'd spent the early stages of his career with us on loan during the Aidy Boothroyd era over ten years ago. His outstanding contribution so far this season was an impressive display at home to Palace, when some key first half saves kept the game goalless at half time, from where the Hornets took a 2 goal lead on the way to a 2-1 victory.

CC: How do you expect Watford to line up against Bournemouth?

FTRE:  More of the same. We've kept with the 442 line up and only one enforced change due to Janmaat's injury all season. I don't see any reason why Javi would look to change that at this stage, particularly as the Arsenal performance was a positive one, despite the result.

CC: A massive thanks to Jason for sharing so much information on Watford FC. I think I have learned a season's worth of facts about the club and yet we are only seven games into the season! The new manager and the mix of old and a few new recruits has certainly worked well for the Hornets and even if Harry the Hornet isn't there to taunt us Bournemouth fans this weekend, we know that Watford have some very capable players who will make this one of the hardest games of this season for the Cherries. To read more of Jason's thoughts, do pop in on the From the Rookery End podcast.

Defoe snatches late point from Watford 2-2

Match Report

Watford 2 v 2 AFCB

31 March 2018

Attendance: 20,393

Watford welcome Bournemouth at Vicarage Road.

I think many fans felt that this game would be a draw and while Bournemouth made hard work of it, there was a huge relief in the end when the ball fell to Jermain Defoe in the box in added time. But Defoe only needs one chance to do what he does well in beating the keeper. It was tough on Watford who had gone ahead in the first half with a deflected goal by Femenía and again, in the second half, when Pereya thought he had the winner, but Josh King's penalty and Defoe's last gasp equaliser earned Bournemouth a valuable point to keep them in 10th spot.

The two teams moments before kick off.

Ryan Fraser was brought into the team at right back with Adam Smith and Simon Francis absent from the squad. It was also good to see Harry Arter back on the bench for this game, but there was no Lys Mousset.

Steve Cook is captain in Simon Francis' absence.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

The Cherries won an early free kick for a foul on Ryan Fraser and shortly after picked up another free kick for a foul on Callum Wilson in a closer position around the box. Nathan Aké got on the end of the ball in, but the header came off the bar.

Ibe and Daniels got things wrong between them on the left and gave possession away. But the Cherries soon had control again when Stanislas had a shot saved on seven minutes.

Will Hughes was influential in the middle and had a shot blocked and Begovic had to take a cross from Prödl. Gosling was having to defend and Aké made a good block on Troy Deeney when he took aim on nine minutes.

Watford's first corner was cleared by Steve Cook, but after a second Watford corner the ball cam out to Femenía who lashed his shot off the back of Josh King, and it flew past Begovic for the first goal to Watford on 13 minutes. The marking had been poor and Watford made Bournemouth pay for it.

Deeney was flagged offside in the next Watford attack, but Bournemouth were finding things difficult. Ibe won a free kick and then Aké headed well over from the delivery.

A Bournemouth corner came after Josh King was caught on the break. But Watford soon had the ball back and Steve Cook was putting in the blocks. Femína was still getting too much space and he passed to Will Hughes who saw his shot dribble just wide.

Up the other end, Ibe put in a cross that was too strong for everyone. Lewis Cook then took aim but blasted high over the bar.

Stanislas then tried a back heel in his own half and lost the ball. This saw him chase after Hughes and take him down just outside the D. Luckily Holebas could only belt his free kick into the wall and his second attempt was well taken by Begovic.

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The game was scrappy and it suited Watford more than Bournemouth. Even when Bournemouth won a corner in the 38 minutes, Steve Cook couldn't direct his header on target. Bournemouth kept winning free kicks, but were not getting any shots off. Then Stanislas had a shot from the left wing, which had Karnezis in trouble. He seemed to have saved it, but Holebas had handled the ball before Ibe got to it and the referee awarded AFCB a penalty and a yellow card to Holebas.

Josh King made no mistake, smashing the ball in the bottom left corner sending Karnezis the wrong way -1-1!  With two minutes of added time to play, Junior Stanislas went down and had to hobble off. Marc Pugh replaced him, while the score was 1-1 at half-time.

1-1 at half time.

Second Half
Watford went straight on the attack and quickly won a corner. Ibe headed away before Hughes had to be blocked. Deeney got past Fraser and Hughes kept possession in the box. Prereya then shot from the left side, and Begovic looked unsighted as the ball sped past him to make it 2-1 to the home side on 49 minutes.

Bournemouth had it all to do again. Gosling made a good interception but Wilson was soon caught offside. A few moments later and the flag went up against him again. Begovic took a good catch from a Janmaat cross and on the break Wilson was fouled by Prödl and the referee played the advantage before booking Prodl.

Holebas was then booked for fouling Lewis Cook. Wilson was flagged offside though again. King made a strong run and just had to pick out Ibe, but couldn't make the pass.

Watford subbed Prödlt to bring on Cathcart on 64 minutes. Begovic's kicking was far from impressive as he kicked the ball straight out. Bournemouth brought on Defoe for Ibe on 67 minutes.

A Bournemouth corner was hastily cleared. A Ryan Fraser cross then bounced off of Mariappa in front of goal before Defoe saw the ball just run away from him.

Hughes was subbed as Okaka came on for the last 15 minutes. King was taken down by Doucouré who was carded.

Watford then subbed Femenía with nine minutes left and Richarlison came on for him. Fraser was on the left now and Pugh on the right with Bournemouth playing three at the back. Surman replaced Callum Wilson as Bournemouth put Gosling further forward.

Free kicks were continuing to come but they were too far away from Watford's goal. Deeney had a snap shot that Begovic got down well to. With four minutes of added time things were looking bleak for the Cherries. But a foul by Okaka on Steve Cook around half way at least allowed Bournemouth to pump the ball forward. Okaka was carded but continued to argue.

The ball was played up and after an initial header by Aké meant that the ball fell right to Defoe in front of goal. The Bournemouth striker wasted no time in getting his boot up high and stabbing the ball home to make it 2-2. Bournemouth fans were loving the moment. Defoe could celebrate right on front of them. Watford had to ponder how they could have left the win escape them, while Bournemouth had come from behind yet again when everything had looked lost.

Jermain Defoe rescues a point.

Summary

I don't know what it is about the team at the moment. They should be beaten in these kind of games but they refuse to give up. It wasn't a great performance, but it was a brave comeback and a gritty determination not to give in. Luckily they found away to get the ball to a striker in the right area and when the team really needs a goal it seems that it just goes in at the moment. It's a simple game, but for 90 minutes it was far from simple for Bournemouth. A draw was a great result for the Cherries and it was a dramatic way to end the game with such a late equaliser.

Bournemouth collect another point on the road.

AFCB Ratings
Begovic 6, Fraser 8, S Cook 7, Aké 7, Daniels 6, Stanislas 5, Gosling 6, L Cook 7, Ibe 6 (Defoe 9), King 6, Wilson 6

AFCB Subs: Boruc, B Smith, Pugh, Simpson, Arter, Surman, Defoe

MoM: Defoe had one job to do and he did it just in time

Watford
Karnezis, Janmaat, Prödl (Cathcart 64), Mariappa, Holebas, Doucouré, Capoue,
Femenía (Richarlison 81), Hughes (Okaka 75), Pereyra, Deeney

Watford Subs

Gomes, Richarlison, Ndong, Cathcart, Gray, Lukebakio, Okaka

Referee watch - Andy Madley: 4/10 Madley might have pulled up a few more fouls and he didn't evade the calls of you don't know what you're doing. Fraser was clearly elbowed in the ribs and there were a couple of other elbow first challenges.


Cherry Chimes T-Shirt
We had four correct predictions for the Cherry Chimes T-shirt for a 2-2 result. Well done to those who got it right, but Lyn Whytehead @fitzpottle came out of the hat first from the correct predictions and is the latest winner of a Cherry Chimes T-shirt.

Happy Easter! 
Cherry Chimes' March Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out today with special story - Can Bournemouth resist any bid for Lewis Cook?

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