I am not sure I agree with the belief that it was the pressure of trying to get the first win that ultimately told on the Cherries conceding in the last minute of added time at Selhurst Park. They had been playing for some 45 minutes in the second half and holding out by one means or another, and the conference call in the last 10 minutes of the game, when Eddie Howe called them over, while a player was injured should have got their heads around what they needed to do. Unfortunately, Crystal Palace did not give up and the cross fell to one of the best headers of the ball in the Eagle's team.
Defending crosses is now the factor that has caused AFCB to drop points in their last two games and it must be looked at. While the West Ham one was nearer to the far post there was not enough pressure on the ball on that occasion or when Palace scored. Cutting the crosses out has to be the first objective. That means Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels need to try and stop the supply and the midfield wingers should be helping their full-backs to do this.
While AFCB played with two lines of four in front of Palace for much of the second half, the goal was coming you felt and while there was a brief spell in the second half when the away fans tried to lift the team to keep passing, it was hard to understand how the game could have turned around so much from the first half when AFCB were in control. While a half time talk can do wonders, AFCB would have known that Palace would come out and have more of a go in the second half, because they were trailing at home and yet the Cherries could not get the all important second breakaway goal. They did have a chance of two to do it with Ryan Fraser in particular, but there was even a better chance for Callum in the first half and you've got to score when you are playing well and on top.
As that second goal never materialised the pressure was always going to be high with the home crowd pressing Palace on in the second 45 minutes. Ultimately, I think Alan Pardew was right in that the Palace players wanted it and would not be denied. I don't think AFCB's players gave up but they were out on their feet at the end of the game. Pressure can do funny things to players and the decisions they make and this was another day when not enough clever thinking went in to seeing the game out.
Now it is WBA at home and the pressure may have eased a little having had the international break, but the players will know that they cant afford to let more points slip away and this game has to be the start of a winning run to get them moving up the table. UTCIAD!
Premier Talk: The Manchester derby is massive, but more so for Utd
The Football Blog Awards are asking for votes up to 26th September 2016 - Cherry Chimes is asking followers of the blog to vote for it in the Best Football Club Blog category.
Defending crosses is now the factor that has caused AFCB to drop points in their last two games and it must be looked at. While the West Ham one was nearer to the far post there was not enough pressure on the ball on that occasion or when Palace scored. Cutting the crosses out has to be the first objective. That means Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels need to try and stop the supply and the midfield wingers should be helping their full-backs to do this.
While AFCB played with two lines of four in front of Palace for much of the second half, the goal was coming you felt and while there was a brief spell in the second half when the away fans tried to lift the team to keep passing, it was hard to understand how the game could have turned around so much from the first half when AFCB were in control. While a half time talk can do wonders, AFCB would have known that Palace would come out and have more of a go in the second half, because they were trailing at home and yet the Cherries could not get the all important second breakaway goal. They did have a chance of two to do it with Ryan Fraser in particular, but there was even a better chance for Callum in the first half and you've got to score when you are playing well and on top.
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| AFCB have to be mentally strong and get their first win in the league. |
Now it is WBA at home and the pressure may have eased a little having had the international break, but the players will know that they cant afford to let more points slip away and this game has to be the start of a winning run to get them moving up the table. UTCIAD!
Premier Talk: The Manchester derby is massive, but more so for Utd
The Football Blog Awards are asking for votes up to 26th September 2016 - Cherry Chimes is asking followers of the blog to vote for it in the Best Football Club Blog category.
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