‘A hamering in all but the score’

ON Saturday just about the only thing that I agreed with Nigel Pearson on, was that we could have no complaints, we were beaten by a very good side. Bournemouth were comfortable winners on Saturday not really needing to get out of second gear and it was a hammering in all aspects aside from the score.

Sometimes you do have to hold your hands up and admit to just being outclassed by a far better side but you also have to say we didn’t lay a glove on Scott Parker’s side and for probably the only time this season, I felt that we were never in the game.

Too many players were off their game, injuries again played a part, but we just didn’t play anywhere near the levels we can.

The defeat saw the side extend the unwanted club record of games without a win at home, now 16 game.

During the week Pearson had talked about the international break having come at good time, allowing a bit of extra time for the players to recover from injuries and confirmed that all previously injured first-team players, bar Antoine Semenyo, had returned to training and were in contention to play against Bournemouth.

Perhaps he spoke too soon as there was disappointing news before the game with Rob Atkinson forced to withdraw due to illness, meaning a recall for Nathan Baker. Jay Dasilva and Nahki Wells made the bench but perhaps surprisingly there was no place for this season’s stand out performer Han-Noah Massengo, maybe he is being protected just a little longer.

I was surprised that we opted for 4-4-2 and didn’t look to match up Bournemouth’s 3 in the middle, especially with the speed at which the Cherries move the ball.

The two of King and James in City’s central midfield has no pace and I was concerned before the game at Pearson’s selection and formation and so it proved.

Captain Dan Bentley talked afterwards about the team being really sloppy in possession and giving Scott Parker’s side too much respect and he was spot on.

We just seemed to stand off Bournemouth and it was all too easy for them. In truth the second half was a bit of a training session for Bournemouth and with better decisions it could have been a rugby score.

It isn’t all doom and gloom and for me we lost to the best side in the league, but the manner of the defeat was hugely disappointing.