While half of AFCB's games have been away from home they haven't managed to get any points from those games. It is not that the team hasn't put in some good away performances - the match against Spurs showed they can put up stiff resistance. But Everton is the only away game where AFCB have so far scored. So what needs to change?
While the best chance of an AFCB win out of the four away games on paper was probably in the first game against WBA, it is perhaps understandable that things would be more difficult against Arsenal, Everton and Spurs. Stoke is the only remaining away game this month and it is perhaps a game that AFCB can believe is winnable if the Potters are a little fragile after their demolition by Man City.
Mark Hughes will expect a reaction and yet it is not going to be simple to turn on the style for Stoke if they suddenly find themselves behind. AFCB need to get their fast start and put some pressure on the opposition. They nearly managed it at Spurs and I think that the first goal will be everything in this next match. Bournemouth had the lead at Everton and could not hold on, but just getting ahead in a game is going to be massive for the players who need to see the ball hot the back of the net.
I know it is hard to accept what has happened so far this season, but if possible the players have to think it's a fresh game and a new opportunity. It's the only way they can have a positive future and they need to visualise things going for them for it to happen. I want to see the strikers gamble on getting the bounce, on winning the header and expecting to be put through. A bit of positivity will work wonders, but it's going to need a big effort to get that elusive first away win in the league.
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| AFCB still await their first away points of the season. |
I don't believe the attackers are really letting fly with their shots as much as they might when they approach the box and Defoe has not been getting many chances inside the box where he is at his most deadliest. AFCB are getting enough possession to have strong spells in games, but the away record is something that has to improve. Even when the team gets corners and free kicks in good situations, we haven't seen any goals resulting from them. The maximum number of shots that AFCB have had on target in any game this season is four.
While the best chance of an AFCB win out of the four away games on paper was probably in the first game against WBA, it is perhaps understandable that things would be more difficult against Arsenal, Everton and Spurs. Stoke is the only remaining away game this month and it is perhaps a game that AFCB can believe is winnable if the Potters are a little fragile after their demolition by Man City.
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Mark Hughes will expect a reaction and yet it is not going to be simple to turn on the style for Stoke if they suddenly find themselves behind. AFCB need to get their fast start and put some pressure on the opposition. They nearly managed it at Spurs and I think that the first goal will be everything in this next match. Bournemouth had the lead at Everton and could not hold on, but just getting ahead in a game is going to be massive for the players who need to see the ball hot the back of the net.
I know it is hard to accept what has happened so far this season, but if possible the players have to think it's a fresh game and a new opportunity. It's the only way they can have a positive future and they need to visualise things going for them for it to happen. I want to see the strikers gamble on getting the bounce, on winning the header and expecting to be put through. A bit of positivity will work wonders, but it's going to need a big effort to get that elusive first away win in the league.
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