I've just seen a photo on Facey with Inler, Schlupp, Okazaki, Fuchs and Benalouane on a private plane to Bournemouth, how the times have changed.

1-4 Statement! Got to keep pressure on Man City... LOL

A draw would be a good result lets not underestimate our opposition and Gradel will have a point to prove even if NP's not here now.
B'mouth will think this is the best opportunity to get their first win.
I hope our counter attacking play will ripe them apart.

But no false confidence for me we are playing a team that's in our own league within a league so any points we take off them are an added bonus.

Err do you mean their first win since they beat West Ham. I'm sure you meant first Home win, Nev.
I've gone for a 3-1 away win I think they will play into our hands by attacking us, not quite having enough (our defence is a better than West Hams, but then who's isnt - apart from S'land) and we hit them on the break
Here's hoping
UTF

2-2. Ranieri has called this one a dangerous match and I think he's right.

Bournemouth played West Ham at the right time last week and will be full of beans for this one. I expect them to create a lot of chances and I'm not confident in Schmeichel and the back 4 as a unit at the moment.

That being said they will give us a lot of chances as well...

He's called it dangerous but then he has to really bjt I have no doubt he'll be thinking we will win it and so he should because well we should. If we get our game right, we're too good, simple as that.

Gradel might have something to prove but he doesn't worry me, he's got to get past Schlupp and I think he'll have him in his pocket to be honest.

They'll know each other well and Schlupp is the better player by far. Would Gradel get anywhere near our team? I think not and that says it all for me.

Give them the respect they deserve but also remember who we're playing because with all due respect, these are games we should be winning and I don't think we have anything to fear. They should fear is a lot more.

Howe said he wants them to entertain the fans but I reckon the only fans they'll entertain by attacking us will be the away fans because we'll pick them of all day and run them ragged. They've got to change their fake plan otherwise we'll rip em apart.

Gradel was one of the top scorers in ligue 1 last year, he had a fantastic season. This isn't the same player that Pearson inexplicably sold to Leeds Arro.

Let's hope you're right, I'll be content with the draw

Matt Elliott explained why Gradel was sold, good riddance if they have issues.

Maybe so BS but I still don't think he's going to be that good and I still think Schlupp will have him in his pocket.

I'll be happy with a draw but we really should be looking to win this and we really should have confidence in our ability to do it too.

As a defender i don't think Schlupps got anyone in his pocket apart from a Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrapper a "oner" Conker and a snotty tissue.

They'll know each other well and Schlupp is the better player by far. Would Gradel get anywhere near our team? I think not and that says it all for me.
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I'm not sure if that's true, Gradel has played in and won the African Cup of Nations for the Ivory Coast while Schlupp can't make the Ghana team. He was excellent at St Etienne last season he got 17 goals and 3 assists.

Schlupp is a great player but Gradel has gone up quite a number of levels since he was at Leicester

When I say he'll have him in his pocket I mean pace wise. Gradel relies on pace and Schlupp is quicker and has kept better wingers quiet.

Ligue 1 is also not the PL.

We have no chance in this game.

If the going gets tough they'll just bring Killer Kermorgant on!!!

Gradel apart, don't forget they can always bring on Kermit as a sub and he always seems to score against us...

Seriously, I think they'll test us. 1-1.

^Joby, great minds, or fools?

Oh arro you know more about football than to say Max Gradel just relies on pace. He has become a tricky, pacey winger who is actually a very good passer of the ball and is very technical. He may not better Schlupp today but he is a very good player.

Also sure Ligue 1 isn't the Premier League but its a top european league full of talent, Gradel has also played at the World Cup for perhaps the African team with the most talented selection of players while Schlupp can't make his teams squad.

Arro can you honestly tell me you watched many St Etienne games last season?

I haven't seen him play so fair enough, I'll accept I could be wrong. I guess I'll take your word that he's improved then.

But as you said Schlupp is also much improved so lets hope he can close Gradel down today. Also Arro I agree that this is a game that we really should be looking to win!

I think today's game is a good indicator of where our season will be heading...not necessarily a season definer, but i think we have a good opportunity to make a statement of our intent against a good but vulnerable promoted team, just like we were last season. A draw would be acceptable, but i think a defeat would be wounding.

Gradel is a great example of Pearson's eye for a player. He was probably the most successful player Pearson let go and his heights are Bournemouth (no offence to Bournemouth).

Mahrez is 20 times the player Gradel is.

Bournemouth don't scare me individually but as a team they have looked very good. I think they'll really test us today. I see goals in this.

Hoping for a win but could see anything happening.

Mersey - behave! After Leicester Gradel went on to bang a hatful of goals for St Etienne in Ligue 1, ranking alongside the likes of Ibrahimovic and Cavani.

He was class last year and the fact that Bournemouth have got him shows the pull of the Premier League if anything.

Even with your rose tinted Pearson specs that a bonkers statement

- I should say via Leeds of course where he was terrific

Link to the top scorers in Ligue 1 last year Mersey so you can educate yourself.....

http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classementButeurs#sai=83&journee1=1&journee2=38&cat=G&poste=Tous

I'm we'll educated through our comprehensive state system thanks BS.

So you'd swap Gradel for Mahrez then?

Would get close to our team.

* wouldn't get close to our team!