Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man

I guess I've grossly underestimated the amount of life left in the radio. I listen to it myself in the car, and I know some people listen to it online or through the TV, but I was unaware that actual radios are still a thing (for people under the age of about 60, anyway).

My car has one, yes. But is this an actual, standalone radio? In 2019!?

I'm amazed that in 2019 someone still owns a radio!

We took out our 'number ten' to put in an anchorman. Obviously Leitner played a bit further forward to compensate but any midfield that has Tettey in it instead of Stiepermann will be 'tighter'. I also noticed that Lewis seemed to be pushing forward a little less and even the wide players seemed to be protecting the full backs more than usual. It was definitely tighter.

This. Whenever I or others have suggested that we need to tighten up, there seems to be an underlying assumption from some that it means abandoning the 'project' and playing a more direct game with longer passes and aerial balls into the box. It doesn't.

I've just had a quick skim of the thread and I'll make a few points: Did we really miss Stiepermann? I don't think we played any worse going forward than against Burnley, Palace and Villa. Was Buendia really that bad? OK, he wasn't fantastic, but I think he did better than Cantwell today, and let's not forget that only De Bruyne has more assists than him in the Premier League so far. Free agent centre backs? If the choice is between Johan Djourou, Jack Rodwell, Marc Wilson and what we currently have, then I'm happy to use two holding midfielders in there.

Agree wholeheartedly with the OP. Bournemouth didn't play well at all, but Amadou and Tettey in particular were fantastic and dealt with everything. Had Bournemouth had a physical centre forward to challenge them it could've been a different story, but against teams who only have smaller attackers they could be ok until the specialist centre backs return.

We had to take the risk. Even half-fit, he was the only centre back we had.

Krul 6.5: Didn't really have a lot to do, and what little he did was very routine. Professional job with minimal fuss. Aarons 7.0: His best performance of the season. Gave precious little away defensively and put Rico in trouble a couple of times at the other end with his dribbling. Amadou 7.5: Much better when he doesn't have a striker bigger than him to deal with. Was in the right place at the right time consistently and dealt with everything he needed to. Maybe the only time Wilson got ahead of him was that near post flick, but that was a quarter chance at best. Godfrey 6.5: Wasn't tested too much during his time on the pitch, but like the rest, was always assured when called upon. Didn't give the Bournemouth attackers a sniff. Lewis 7.0: Solid in defence and nullified Wilson. Little effect going forward today and seemed a little nervous early on but grew in confidence and he did the bread and butter very well. Tettey: 8.0: Man of the match. Was our best player in the first half in midfield where he mopped up everything with plenty of challenges and interceptions, and playing out of position in the second he didn't really put a foot wrong either. He's more crucial now than he's ever been. McLean 6.5: Better from Kenny too today. He was more involved than usual, getting stuck in without the ball and looked neat and tidy on it. A couple of openings with shooting opportunities but didn't convince with them. Buendia 6.0: Was his usual busy self and applied himself as always, but whilst his use of the ball was fine in the build-up, he didn't find anything penetrative. Leitner 6.0: Similar to Buendia in possession: looked good in the build-up with simpler passes but didn't offer anything threatening. Had a decent strike in the second half but missed the target. Cantwell 5.5: Not at his best. Lost possession a few times and didn't look as assured on the ball as his team-mates. Pukki 5.5: Worked hard and received the ball in attack several times, but was usually on the left rather than central. Tried a few shots and final passes but very few worried the Bournemouth defence. Subs: Trybull 6.5: Good game from him today. Shielded the defence well when he came and put his body on the line with the shot that struck him in the head. Looked comfortable in possession too. Hernandez 6.0: A short cameo, but put himself about and troubled Smith with his dribbling, although couldn't find the telling cross. Srbeny N/A.

Do we think this is still a 4-2-3-1 with McLean as the number ten, or is it a more conservative 4-1-4-1 with Tettey holding and both Leitner and McLean playing as central midfielders?

So in addition to Krul for McGovern, that's Tettey for Stiepermann. A defensive move but one that was needed. Can't complain at that.

I'm sure the hypothetical billionaire would've brought his great-uncle too.

It's a real tough one in defence. Do we persist with Amadou who has had a torrid time of it in the last three games and hasn't looked anything like a Premier League centre back? Do we put someone else in there to allow Amadou to move into midfield, and if so, who? Famewo who has never played anywhere near this level before, or a different round peg in a square hole? Had we not had any of our defensive midfielders back, I would've said that we have to push Amadou into his best position. But luckily we have Tettey, so I'd play him and leave Amadou where he is in the hope that he doesn't get bullied by a Wood or Wesley type, which Bournemouth don't really have. I'd bring Tettey in for McLean and Krul for McGovern, and leave it at that. Hernandez will be an exciting weapon from the bench, and Stiepermann is possibly drinking in the last chance saloon with Hernandez back, as he hasn't been at his best and we could easily move Cantwell inside and play Hernandez next week.

Bologna aren't a bad team, but Juventus are a side who make very few slip ups at home so odds of 1/3 look very tempting indeed. For the Norwich game, I'm feeling pessimistic. Bournemouth to win and over 3.5 goals is priced up at 9/4 and if we continue in the same manner as recent performances then it'll happen.

The physical demands of playing international football are considerably higher than those of sitting at a table. There's nothing wrong with someone who is a bit ill deciding to sit in a warm, cosy building during the evening, which is exactly what he would've been doing had he stayed at home.