Many fans have been calling for the introduction of Nathan Aké in the team and while we had to wait a long time for this to happen, Eddie Howe has reason to think that Nathan is one addition that certainly strengthened the team. Even dismissing the goal that Nathan scored to win the game, he was a constant source of encouragement and reliability for the team in his clearances and positional play that was simply superb against Stoke City.
The manager has also made it clear that Nathan has given him a problem now. In his post match interview he felt that Nathan had set the standard and that he gave everything to keep the shirt for the next match. That is going to set some anxious thoughts going through those who have been regularly starting in the back four as they know that they can't count on starting the next game or coming straight back into the side if they have to miss a week. This could be bad news for Adam Smith who was suspended for one game, as the current back four in the last game achieved a clean sheet away that was the first for AFCB since February 2016.
While Simon Francis may prefer to play at centre-back there was no indication that he couldn't still get up the right wing as many times as was required and there is a definite solidity about the team with Aké playing in that back four. Aké demands himself to win the headers and he just puts the ball out if there is any danger. He plays the simple game, but at times that clear thinking is something that has been lacking in this side with players getting caught in two minds what to do.
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Against Stoke City, Nathan bossed the game from the back and to come forward and get the winner was a dream start for him. I think the frustration of not being able to play has been a real energiser for Nathan and when he got his chance he was always going to give it his all to plant himself in this team. He did it with great authority and purpose in his passing and I'm excited at what the next few weeks could bring now as long as Eddie keeps Nathan in the side for some games.
The manager has also made it clear that Nathan has given him a problem now. In his post match interview he felt that Nathan had set the standard and that he gave everything to keep the shirt for the next match. That is going to set some anxious thoughts going through those who have been regularly starting in the back four as they know that they can't count on starting the next game or coming straight back into the side if they have to miss a week. This could be bad news for Adam Smith who was suspended for one game, as the current back four in the last game achieved a clean sheet away that was the first for AFCB since February 2016.
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| Aké had a fabulous game at Stoke. |
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Against Stoke City, Nathan bossed the game from the back and to come forward and get the winner was a dream start for him. I think the frustration of not being able to play has been a real energiser for Nathan and when he got his chance he was always going to give it his all to plant himself in this team. He did it with great authority and purpose in his passing and I'm excited at what the next few weeks could bring now as long as Eddie keeps Nathan in the side for some games.
When will mousset get a chance...and Brad smith
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that mousset deserves more match time although i am a wilson fan and he creates problems for defences the goals are not coming from forwards including afobe clearly evident from behind the goal in the north stand against sunderland
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