It was a hard game for Benik Afobe at WBA. He came into the match being confident with a few goals to his name in pre-season and the knowledge that he was preferred in the match to Jermain Defoe and Lys Mousset. It was a big moment for Afobe to make a claim for the kind of season he wants, and he is probably frustrated that he dd not see much of a sight of goal during his time on the pitch.
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In the past, the Afobe and King partnership has been fruitful. It looked a bit out of sorts though last Saturday. Josh King looks like he needs games to get up to speed, and if he is a bit short of where he needs to be it may make Afobe's job that bit harder too. For Eddie Howe it was probably not a risk to play King and Afobe, as he knows that they have a good understanding, and it will have been nothing new for them lining up against WBA.
The fact that it didn't quite work will be slightly disappointing for Howe. He would have liked these two strikers get a goal each or more, but starved of service in a Bournemouth side that had most of the possession tells us something. Either Afobe and Kings runs are not incisive enough or the passes to find them aren't sharp enough. Of course Benik needs to be clinical as well when he does get opportunities, but we just didn't even get to answer that question against WBA.
Howe will want to be fair with his strikers and give them all encouragement, but Afobe may find himself in and out of the team this season. If Jermain Defoe is fully fit and has seen no reaction to his groin problem from the weekend, it will be more than a bit tempting to play him against Watford. But Afobe could be seen as the best player to have up top with Defoe.
WBA 1 v 0 AFCB review on AskFans
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| Benik didn't get much of a chance to get off the mark at the Hawthorns. |
Benik will want a run in the team to prove that he can score regularly. He rarely got a look in at West Brom and probably through no fault of his own. What I did like to see was Benik not hesitating to get back at times and help the team out when West Brom had corners. He may not always appear a player that is running at full pelt when he is tracking the opposition, but he worked hard in the last match without getting many pickings given to him in return.
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The fact that it didn't quite work will be slightly disappointing for Howe. He would have liked these two strikers get a goal each or more, but starved of service in a Bournemouth side that had most of the possession tells us something. Either Afobe and Kings runs are not incisive enough or the passes to find them aren't sharp enough. Of course Benik needs to be clinical as well when he does get opportunities, but we just didn't even get to answer that question against WBA.
Howe will want to be fair with his strikers and give them all encouragement, but Afobe may find himself in and out of the team this season. If Jermain Defoe is fully fit and has seen no reaction to his groin problem from the weekend, it will be more than a bit tempting to play him against Watford. But Afobe could be seen as the best player to have up top with Defoe.
WBA 1 v 0 AFCB review on AskFans
More importantly is the midfield supply to whoever is upfront.
ReplyDeleteSurely Lewis Cook should be starting.
Whilst I am not a fan of one upfront, we do need extra in the middle of the park. IMO, Ake should move into midfield instead of Surman, and Mings brought in at the back to give height.
Upfront at home Defoe, and away King.
Maybe Arter on occasions will need to be sacrificed on the hour to revert to 4-4-2. Mousset -super sub?
I also suggest the days of Francis and Pugh are numbered.
We do need a new / cover for Right Back and an attacking midfield player, to eventually replace Arter. Shame Hyndman is injured.
Afraid Benny should not have the shirt adds no movement or threat if we could get money back should be sold
ReplyDelete