Monday 26 December 2016

Attack is the best form of defence for the Cherries

Looking at how AFCB went about taking on Chelsea last season it was a brave plan to try and run at the Chelsea midfield and defence when their team had lost the ball. In that first half there were several breaks that had neat AFCB interplay that could have ended in a goal, but it took until the last 10 minutes then for the breakthrough to come and I'd imagine that fans may have to be equally as patient if not more so this time, as Chelsea can currently see every team as a potential three more points to their total.

AFCB won't have Glenn Murray this time, but I don't think he was the only reason why the team won that game last December. It was a show of defiance in many respects and AFCB will have to try and take some of the game to Conte's team or they will be overwhelmed. Eddie Howe knows that AFCB can be confident and powerful against sides away from home, but we have not seen too much of it this season.

Will Callum lead the line at Stamford Bridge?
I wonder whether Eddie may feel he needs to change more than one or two personnel to get the right reaction after the Southampton defeat. The direct attackers like Ryan Fraser and Jordan Ibe may well be better suited to this sort of game, where the onus is on Chelsea to come at AFCB. What will have to be better is the passing and movement in midfield and up front. I kind of felt Jack Wilshere's frustration in not knowing where to put a pass as Southampton closed down all the space in last week's game, and although AFCB have become adept at rotating play and switching from one side of the field to the other, there is a lot to be said for going for the jugular sometimes, and there will have to be some of that variation in play to get anything against Chelsea who are so methodical when play breaks down.  
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While the Cherries have been better at defending set-pieces this season that will be the first threat that they have to overcome. If they can build on that in the first 20 minutes and start to get some attacks going themselves, the confidence will come back. Eddie needs to find some kind of spark away from home and there is no better place to try and recapture the magic than at a ground that was a big catalyst for the Cherries picking up points last season. UTCIAD!

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