Oh dear oh dear, how the hole Messers Groves and Brooks are digging themselves is getting that bit deeper. Prior to the match I was in a real quandry, we need to start winning and soon if we're going to live up to the expensive price tags, or loose to hasten the departure of the management duo. Sadly I thought it was going to be the latter, and so it proved.
The first few minutes saw the Cherries, boosted by 3-debutants, start the brighter of the two sides at Dean Court. Demouge was winning headers (!), Davids was showing an assured confidence on the ball and James was not being asked to do a great deal. Sadly that didn't last long.
As the half progressed the level of poor passing we've sadly become used to came to the fore from BOTH sides as Walsall were quite content to pass the ball to nowhere. The Cherries going forward were lacking invention or ideas, so much so that the Saddlers defence were not really troubled.
Even though Walsall looked equally poor it was the Saddlers who took the lead in the 41st minute when Andy Butler had an easy close range header, which was neatly tucked away. With the half time whistle going a few minutes later, prompt a chorus of boo-ing from the Cherries faithful.
The second period wasn't much better to be honest as both sides failed to produce any football of any note, let alone any quality.
It wasn't until the 82nd minute when a lovely ball from Partington found Charlie Daniels to sneak in around the back to neatly equalise. With thoughts moving to a 5th consecutive home draw that hope was snuffed out on the stroke of full time as Bowerman's close range effort evaded James in the Cherries goal.
Cue an around-the-ground chorus of "Groves Out". How he has survived this long is beyond this match reporter.
Player Summaries
James - Had little to do apart from pick the ball out from the back of the net.
Cook - Got booked. Didn't do a great deal throughout.
Zubar - Gave it his best, but with little effect.
Addison - Not sure what he brings to the team at the moment. More hoof and hope.
Daniels - A well taken equaliser, but didn't do a great deal.
Davids - Given the hype surrounding his signature, then very disappointing.
Partington - Too slow.
O'Kane - He was on the pitch - that I am sure - didn't contribute much.
McQuoid - I am beginning to wonder what he brings to the side at the moment.
Demouge - Seen worse debuts, seen better as well. Won a few headers, but didn't contribute a great deal.
Barnard - And his purpose is ......? Why have a 'striker' go out on loan when we could dispense the expensive services of this one?
Carmichael - Did well when he came on.
Fogden - Only contribution when he came on was to get booked.
Tubbs - Fan pressure made this happen. Didn't get close to scoring, but then no one would have done so given the lack of midfield service.
Groves/Brooks - Tactically inept.
Man Of The Match ....... you've got to be kidding!
AFCB: James, Cook, Zubar, Addison, Daniels, Partington, O'Kane, Davids, Partington, Demouge, Barnard
Subs: Jalal, Elphick, Wakefield, Grabban, Carmichael (on for McQuoid, 59 mins), Fogden (for Partington, 79 mins), Tubbs (for O'Kane, 85 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth