Entertaining first half, dominant second half, enjoyable match with no diving to the ground at every opportunity. In terms of actually trying to make a passing style work, this was surely our best performance of the season.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 7 - Notable how both he and the team have been working on distribution. Making a conscious effort to play out from the back where possible, and so far so good. Made one fine save early on, then was largely a spectator in the second half.
Ricardo: 7 - Exploited a couple of times in the first half but strong in possession as the match went on.
Morgan: 9 - I'm still trying to work out how deliberate the goal was, but credit where it's due. Otherwise a colossus at the back; strong and won a lot.
Evans: 7 - Once again, went about his business with a minimum of fuss. It will be an interesting decision next week as to who gets left out from him, Morgan and Maguire.
Chilwell: 7 - Lost some discipline with his wandering across the pitch and wasn't fully on it today. Still an energetic presence throughout the match though, and is clearly keen to make an impact.
Ndidi: 9 - An absolute tackling machine today. I particularly enjoyed the moment when he got Josh King to try to dribble past him then casually stepped in and took the ball off him like a ruthless adult might a child. Really back to looking a top player again.
Tielemans: 9 - Fitter than a few weeks ago, playing incisive passes all over the pitch and another assist. But aside from that, absolutely nothing that might interest a top 6 club at all so they should probably look elsewhere and completely ignore any transfer activity that might happen with him over the summer. My choice for our MOTM.
Gray: 7 - I believe he is trying to develop his game this season, getting more involved in play. He is succeeding to an extent and asked Daniels some serious questions, getting the better of him at times. Remains frustrating, but still showing signs of promise.
Maddison: 7 - Has plenty to work on, including getting through balls more consistent and getting his set piece delivery back up to where it was when he arrived. But it's been a long season that has had highlights, and he'll likely be enjoying the possibility of working with Tielemans.
Barnes: 7 - Bournemouth looked alert to his threat and often doubled up on him. Still got through occasionally.
Vardy: 8 - Missed a good chance early on, but did well throughout in build-up play then popped up at the end with a brave header.
Mendy: 7 - Looks like he's really trying to prove his worth to Rodgers in the case that he might be looking to move him on, and it was notable just how often he ended up on the floor today stretching and challenging for everything he could.
Ghezzal: n/a
Iheanacho: n/a, but looked like he really wanted time to make an impact and looked like he didn't want the final whistle to come.
The change of atmosphere at the stadium is remarkable these days. Not just for the sake of it being the traditional chairman's birthday fixture, but there is renewed optimism and enjoyment around the place. It helped that Bournemouth's attackers looked decidedly unconfident in front of goal, with Wilson missing a sitter and several others scuffing weak shots when presented with half-chances, but the control of the game was enjoyable and impressive today. This is far more what it is like to have the home ground as a fortress, which is surely one of Rodgers' primary objectives.
Player ratings vs. Bournemouth
posted on 31/3/19
Not worth £40, can't see Levy shelling out £40M for him, he's too smart.
posted on 31/3/19
Joby my facical comments are as valid as your i have watched him all season and just gets better and suffered under the toxic atmosphere if you want a farcical comment "lets see what Silva can do under Rodgers" just as usless as before imo.
posted on 31/3/19
comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 20 minutes ago
Joby my facical comments are as valid as your i have watched him all season and just gets better and suffered under the toxic atmosphere if you want a farcical comment "lets see what Silva can do under Rodgers" just as usless as before imo.
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Nev,
I honestly thought you were being tongue in cheek to link N’didi’s sudden return to form with Puel playing him regularly.
I’ve watched N’didi live in every home game this season. It’s been completely self evident that he’s struggled to reach the same heights he has in previous seasons. The only speculation was whether he was struggling with the vagaries of form or if it was Puel’s system and the role he was being asked to play. The latest evidence suggests it was very much the latter.
As to whether Silva would do better under Rodgers: it’s possible when you see how others have thrived, but I’m still hoping that Tielemans stays and we don’t get to find out.
posted on 31/3/19
"I honestly thought you were being tongue in cheek to link N’didi’s sudden return to form with Puel playing him regularly. "
Nah, it's Nev's World, no tongue in cheek there, just Nev Facts.
posted on 31/3/19
I didn't bite with Nev, thought that was too ridiculous a comment to be true.
It slightly saddens me to think there may have been some truth in the thinking, the team was being held back from reaching its true potential by Claude. Certainly seems to have improved out of all recognition since Brendan took over.
Cue Nev to indicate that it's clearly the backstabbers in the team that have got Puel the sack and are now actually trying to win games instead of throwing a hissy fit!
posted on 31/3/19
Who's talking about Puel Ndidi is still at the club and has dogs abuse from some this season Puels gone and you still are banging on about him
posted on 31/3/19
He's only just departed Nev - which is why I'm slightly wary of announcing Brendan as the second coming as it's a bit early for that.
posted on 31/3/19
I thought Nev mentioned Puel anyway.
posted on 31/3/19
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
I thought Nev mentioned Puel anyway.
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I believe that the statement was:
“Ndidi hasn't had poor season and justified the faith that Puel had in him when others wanted him dropped.”
I’m glad I don’t have to explain to others why that statement is laughable.
And even when he was struggling the most I don’t believe he ever got “dogs abuse”. There is a conversation around other players getting unnecessary abuse when Puel was here, but not N’didi. Probably because he always had too much ‘cash in the bank’ from his previous performances.
posted on 1/4/19
comment by Jobyfox (U4183)
posted 17 hours, 55 minutes ago
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
I thought Nev mentioned Puel anyway.
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I believe that the statement was:
“Ndidi hasn't had poor season and justified the faith that Puel had in him when others wanted him dropped.”
I’m glad I don’t have to explain to others why that statement is laughable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No you didn’t Joby. Sometimes the evidence is just so compelling no argument is needed.
In my eyes, Nev just wrote the equivalent of “De Laet is the greatest full back of all time and the only reason he didn’t succeed at Leicester was because of Pearson”.
Or
“Rudkin is the most liked man in modern day football. Fans really respect him and it’s easy to see why”