What I learned tonight...

[ManxRam]

I watched Bournemouth v Southampton. Bournemouth are the benchmark for how teamwork, cohesion and a desire to play for each other will maintain their top flight status. It wasn't a great performance but they are everything we aren't. No stars, no fancy dans, no overpaid primadona's just an honest bunch of good players loving what they do.

Secondly - Danny Graham has found his level again.

[RamBamFan]

That's because Bournemouth brought players that work in Eddie Howe's system. They've clearly scouted the talent to see if they have the attributes to be apart of the way Bournemouth play.

We've just thrown money at players with no evidence that we're building something. More like 'we've seen a big who's available, may as well get him!' without any thinking beforehand about how he'll fit into the side or whether we need him.

[macstheman]

As someone quoted on another forum 'bloated in numbers, short on desire'. Sums it up really!!

[Manofpride]

Looks like Middlesbrough are going the same way too, is it bloated numbers, short on desire or is it that both clubs can't handle the pressure to well! Both clubs looked on track last year but both fell at the final hurdles!!!

[Satanic Ram]

With our yet again poor demise at this part of the season, i am slowly going off football. I dont want to but all this sh*t thats apparently gone off, how can it keep fans interested. Too many cooks spoil the broth etc etc. Sorry manx, i dont know where that came from?

[BaaLocks]

That's because Bournemouth brought players that work in Eddie Howe's system.

Interesting that they were in for Russell the summer before last - what might he have become had he gone?

[BaaLocks]

i am slowly going off football. I dont want to but all this sh*t thats apparently gone off, how can it keep fans interested.

Amen to that, I have had three seminal (not semenal) moments in the past few years. After holding a season ticket during 'that' season I was scarred by the experience. However, I got tempted back to a Weds night game against Cardiff - we had Maguire up front. We were absolute garbage and I swore that was the last time I would ever go.

My next game was Forest 5-0 at home, followed by Wolves 5-0 - enough to tempt anyone back I would say.

However, after doing about 10-20 games since them I am back in the same place. For me it is a three hour commute to a game and it simply isn't worth the hassle for the tosh that is served up.

Sadly, like OTR and many others, I am reduced to a keyboard fan with memories of George, Hector, Hinton, Davison, Swindlehurst, Biley, Wanchope, Simmo, Tommy Johnson, Idiakiez

[ManxRam]

The thing is that when you love your club your interest in them never goes away, it's unconditional as they say. I don't feel anger so much as disappointment, I really thought that when when we lined up this season we were worthy among the favourites. If we'd played slick attractive attacking football with teamwork evident and fallen short (like the season we lost to QPR) I can handle it. It's the not knowing exactly what is wrong that hurts me. We can all surmise over player power, extra marital affairs, FFP and the like but none of us really know the truth, we are all guessing.

On the face of it we (almost) have it all, the stadium, the fans, the academy, the financial backing - all thats missing is the most ***** ingredient, a team. By this I don't mean a squad of overpaid under performing individuals, I mean a team of mates, lads who are in it together with a dream of getting to the biggest stage. Cloughie's side (Brian's) swept the terraces, I doubt this lot sweep up after them

[tamworthram]

[quote="ManxRam"]The thing is that when you love your club your interest in them never goes away, it's unconditional as they say. I don't feel anger so much as disappointment, I really thought that when when we lined up this season we were worthy among the favourites. If we'd played slick attractive attacking football with teamwork evident and fallen short (like the season we lost to QPR) I can handle it. It's the not knowing exactly what is wrong that hurts me. We can all surmise over player power, extra marital affairs, FFP and the like but none of us really know the truth, we are all guessing.

On the face of it we (almost) have it all, the stadium, the fans, the academy, the financial backing - all thats missing is the most ***** ingredient, a team. By this I don't mean a squad of overpaid under performing individuals, I mean a team of mates, lads who are in it together with a dream of getting to the biggest stage. Cloughie's side (Brian's) swept the terr

[RamBamFan]

That's because Bournemouth brought players that work in Eddie Howe's system.

Interesting that they were in for Russell the summer before last - what might he have become had he gone?[/quote]

It's true. Put simply every player for Bournemouth works hard, and then their front line are rapid as f***. Russell fits the bill there.

The truth is an average player can look very good if he fits into the right system. For example Josh King who's at Bournemouth now. He couldn't get a game for Blackburn last season, but is playing whenever available for Bournemouth. There are countless examples but he's one that sprung to mind.