A lack of inventiveness?

The team was said to perhaps lack a bit of inventiveness when Eddie Howe was interviewed after the south coast derby. That is not something very characteristic of a Bournemouth side and while I can see that Howe was not sure if that was point he wanted to stress after the second half of the match, he knows that the Cherries did not score and will be trying to see why that was the case.

Southampton did defend their box well even if they were hemmed in at times. Unlike the Saints, the Cherries did not find a way to get around the sides or behind the back line. By keeping play in front of them, Southampton were able to keep AFCB where they wanted them. Whether is was down to a shortage of pace or not enough clever play in and around the box on the part of Bournemouth is the question.

Can Lee Tomlin add more creativity to the team?

In the last few minutes of the game Southampton only had 10 players on the pitch. Still AFCB could not find that space often enough to take advantage. But it was during the last 10 minutes when they finally got two shots on target and so it was only late on when AFCB managed to find a way through. For a team that regularly gets at least one goal a game that is a surprise. Even against Tottenham and Man City the Cherries have scored, but they did not look like creating enough to worry Steklenburg in the Southampton goal last Sunday.

It was a great win for the U21 AFCB side, plus a few notable additions from the first team, against Luton yesterday and great to see Rantie, Tomlin and Kermorgant getting on the score sheet.

Please have a listen to the interview I gave to Michael Clair on the Socceretes' podcast site in the USA about AFCB's fortunes this season. You'll be pleased to know there is not one mention of the Saints on it either!