I am 1/2 way through watching the Bournemouth v Villa game. It was quite open but a lot of yellow cards.Also thought like West Ham, Villa were not quite at their best. I know Lanzo is a big fan of Semenyo and he was involved in a lot of the action. He was up against Konza (who is more of a centre half than a right back) but after a couple of misplaced passes early on he was all over Konza and with Ward's issue's this season he will need help to limit what Semenyo does. Does this mean Olise will have to track back and then be less of a threat going forward ? Out of possession though Semenyo was not the best. He got a yellow card in the first half and really should have picked up a second yellow for either a blatant pull back and/or a foul on the edge of the box afterwards when Villa were mounting a dangerous attack.
It will be a big plus if Schlupp starts been both fresh and also a goal threat. I did see a mixed quote from Roy that Eze will try and train this week but the medical team said the injury will take longer.
Overall it will be down to how the teams approach the game. I kind of think both teams will be better suited to a counter attacking game as their attacking players are best suited to this style and it will help protect the weaker players at the back.
Think the game will be tight and if i was pushed i would say Bournemouth look the more likely to score than we do at the moment.
Player fatigue after a quick turn around will also be an important factor and not sure which team if either will benefit.

As others have said, they're hitting a real purple patch whilst beyond Olise we look hopelessly toothless, and for all the talk of Roy's teams being defensively solid we're looking shakey.

Olise will produce something special to keep us in it, but sadly I can only see 1-2 to the Cherries.

A hard fought match with rather too many niggly fouls. Bournemouth are an improved team, but still think we can win it, even without Eze. Just wish I had more confidence in Edouard to put away his chances.

2-1 Palace, after being behind within 15 minutes.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

That’s my thoughts as well. A draw would be a point won for us the way both teams are currently performing. Our squad is so thin these days and yet it wasn’t long ago I was thinking it was getting stronger. And it would be if Edouard, Rak-Saki, Richards, Ward, Schlupp, Ayew and Hughes were on it. Alas, we have injuries and weak replacements that have to start :-(

This appointment should strengthen our survival chances:

CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vdGFsa3Nwb3J0LmNvbS9mb290YmFsbC8xNjY1OTkwL3NoZWZmaWVsZC11bml0ZWQtb3duZXItcHJpbmNlLWFiZHVsbGFoLWNocmlzLXdpbGRlci1hcHBvaW50bWVudC_SAWtodHRwczovL3RhbGtzcG9ydC5jb20vZm9vdGJhbGwvMTY2NTk5MC9zaGVmZmllbGQtdW5pdGVkLW93bmVyLXByaW5jZS1hYmR1bGxhaC1jaHJpcy13aWxkZXItYXBwb2ludG1lbnQvYW1wLw

Sorry,cannot access link which explained the appointment of Chris Wilder to Sheffield United.[Again!!)

Edited by Jacey (05 Dec 2023 1.36pm)

Now we know Schlupp is available, he'll go straight into the team, so . . .

Johnstone
Ward
Andersen
Guehi
Mitchell
Lerma
Hughes
Olise
Schlupp
Ayew
Edouard

Just my gut feeling. Agree or Disagree that is your right.

I'm a blind man, i'm a blind man, now my room is cold,
When a blind man cries, Lord, he feels it from his soul.
[Link]