While AFCB have played extremely well over the course of 2016, there needs to be progress in the second half of this season for AFCB to retain their status as a Premier League club in the top half of the division. We all know that we want to see more goal and better defending but I'd argue that there are times when the side needs to do more when they have the ball and more when they don't have it as well.
The Chelsea defeat was not so unexpected but what was interesting to see was the way AFCB went about trying to contain the table toppers. The pitch was not so wide at Chelsea, and to play three at the back was a fairly good shape to have as it did give the Cherries a lot of possession in midfield. The quality of Chelsea's players ultimately told though. One rash challenge by Simon Francis in the box and the game was over. This is the kind of aspect of the game where Edie Howe knows the team still lacks a bit of concentration. You have to stay in games at the start of both halves to keep in with a chance against the best teams.
What AFCB have been reasonably successful at is not conceding so many late goals. Their fitness levels must be among the highest in the league. The away win percentage is something that Howe must be most concerned about and it's probably just as well that AFCB only face Swansea, Hull and Millwall away in the next month. For all those that say the team does not shoot enough, you might be surprised to see that the Cherries are ranked 11th highest in terms of shots on 211, that's more than Stoke, Watford and WBA who are all above them in the table.
You can wonder about the defence and the amount of chopping and changing there, but the side has recorded five clean sheets which is equal fifth best. If you are looking for a weakness though it may be surprising that the team is well down at 16th place on the crossing front with only 325 crosses from their games. The wingers are often seen as essential playmakers in Eddie Howe's sides, but there is much to improve there at the moment. Getting the ball wide may have been profitable though in winning so many corners where AFCB are ranked third highest on 117, but scoring from corners is another matter.
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| The Cherries still have much work to do. |
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You can wonder about the defence and the amount of chopping and changing there, but the side has recorded five clean sheets which is equal fifth best. If you are looking for a weakness though it may be surprising that the team is well down at 16th place on the crossing front with only 325 crosses from their games. The wingers are often seen as essential playmakers in Eddie Howe's sides, but there is much to improve there at the moment. Getting the ball wide may have been profitable though in winning so many corners where AFCB are ranked third highest on 117, but scoring from corners is another matter.
For me i think the second half of the season could be a manor struggle and whilst seven points from the bottom three looks a comfortable margin....this can change quickly...
ReplyDeleteWhat is important is what happens in the transfer window...seems certsin that either wilson or afobe will ho and who we bring in has to step up to the plate immediately...our transfer record in the last two years has been frankly disasterous
In my opinion when fit lewis cook muzt play regularly
Why must Lewis Cook play regularly? He's a 19 year old who's only ever played as high as the championship. He'll get his start but he'll be no help making sure we stay up - that rests on the shoulders of the players who've now had 1 and a half years of prem experience.
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