There were a lot of positives to take from the 1-1 draw against Norwich City.
The work rate of the 10 men was superb. It would have been easy for the team to collapse when we went down to 10, especially given we don’t have a win this season.
They stuck at the task and were arguably the better team on the night. However, we need points now and positives do little to help our precarious position.
Below we rate the performance of each player:
Martin Dubravka – 5 – He should have done a lot better for their goal. If he had punched it or caught it, we may have gotten out of the match with three points. His save at the end to deny Norwich a late winner did go some way to fixing his mistake.
Javier Manquillo – 7 – There will be a trend as we progress, as every player deserves praise for their role in the performance. Manquillo worked hard and continued to get forward when he could. He needs to keep his place on Saturday.
Fabian Schar – 6 – There were some good driving runs with the ball and he worked hard, but he does have an error in him. His costly lapse in judgement nearly cost us a point towards the end.
Ciaran Clark – 0 – There are no words to describe Clark’s performance. He was the one selection supporters were critical of and he showed why. Clueless decision that cost us two points and potentially our place in the Premier League.
Jamal Lewis – 8 – It was an excellent performance from the left back, as he showed his defensive quality. For the red card, he may have positioned himself closer to Clark to prevent a red card being given, but that is a harsh criticism. He made a number of key tackles and showed for the ball when we had possession.
Ryan Fraser – N/A – He didn’t get a chance to impress due to the red card, with Howe bringing him off just moments after Clark’s ninth minute red.
Jonjo Shelvey – 7 – It was another decent display from Shelvey, as he did show his quality on the ball when we did get possession. However, it will be his work rate and leadership that will have pleased Eddie Howe most.
Joe Willock – 6 – Another performance full of energy and work rate, but he did give the ball away cheaply a couple of times in the first half.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 6 – He did cause problems when he got forward with the ball, but his decision making wasn’t the best. It is difficult to criticise him too much, as we were hamstrung by the red card.
Callum Wilson – 7 – The penalty was slightly lucky, as he didn’t strike it well, but he got on the score sheet. Like the rest, he worked hard and nearly helped us get the win.
Joelinton – 9 – What a performance. Joelinton is a man transformed under Eddie Howe and he was key in the defensive performance. He was playing as a central midfielder in a 4-3-2, but he was excellent there. On the few times he got forward, he was happy to receive the ball in pressure situations and his shooting is more powerful than it has been. It is clear that he is confident.
SUBS
Federico Fernandez – 8 – A colossal performance from the substitute. He should have started the game, but he will now be firmly in Eddie Howe’s thoughts. Throughout the game, his positioning and organisation was key in helping the team limit Norwich to few clear chances.
Isaac Hayden – 6 – He tried to get into the game and he was full of energy. His passing was disappointing when he did get on the ball.
Miguel Almiron – N/A – Came on with just over 10 minutes remaining and rarely got a chance to get on the ball.
Sad thing is Fernandez is our BEST Central Defender – but under Jones has been left out (!!!??)
Lewis is our BEST Left Back – again under Jones has been left out
What’s worrying is that Howe’s listening to Jones – Jones has to go ASAP
Fraser isn’t a good player & let’s face it – thought this would happen – with much better player not even getting a chance as Howe tries to show there’s no animosity ABOVE the TEAM and RESULT.
even with 9 we should be beating Norwich so let’s not get too carried away with 1pt and NO shots on Target
What did Willock Do??
This is worrying
Seems self help Moto’s – other people’s words are what one stick’s on yr wall’s —- forget the Self Help books and put this on yr wall….
…3pts are better than 1
KK(Quote)
I have no faith in the coaches who are continually unable to recognise who we should be playing in defence.
I have said on this site for months that Manquillo and Lewis are our best fullbacks, that doesn’t mean they are fantastic.
I have also said Clark, Ritchie and Krafth can’t defend to save their lives, and have cried out for these changes, even when the opportunity arose they still couldn’t help themselves and played Clark who has been abysmal all season.
Fernandez is the best centre back we have by a country mile, and this change was forced upon the coaches with Clark’s stupidity.. to give him zero rating based on his woeful performances all season is very generous of you.
Apart from the massive improvement in Joelinton and Shelvey the coaches would also get a zero, because they can’t recognise players who do have ability who were either not on the bench or on the bench and not used.
Let’s hope the penny will drop, and some of the old pal’s and favourites get left out of the team in future barring injury.
Also Lascelles only looks half decent when he has someone like Fernandez organising him.
Make Fernandez the captain!
Well done to Lewis for taking his chance last night, and the 10 remaining ones including Joelinton who was a revelation for giving it their all.!
Joseph(Quote)
Are you joking! – you can’t give 9s and say someone was a colossus in a 1-1 draw at home to the worst team in the league. Does that mean everyone is on 10 minimum if we beat Man City away?
Alex Russell(Quote)
It was another decent display from Shelvey
he did show his quality on the ball
it will be his work rate and leadership that will have pleased Eddie Howe most
All sounds very impressive – but he struggles to get a 7?
Another blogger who has a history of slagging off Shelvey just can’t force himself to give him a decent rating.
Helen Clarey(Quote)
We had 10 men…
Olly Hawkins(Quote)