The injury to Steve Cook has put a strain on the defence numbers with Tyrone Mings and Adam Smith already out. There are options available in Jack Simpson and Brad Smith, but the position of right back with four at the back is going to ask a lot of Ryan Fraser in the coming weeks if he is to fill in for Eddie Howe.
Personally, I would stick with three at the back as it gives him several advantages. Firstly, it is one more defender he can then put on the bench. Secondly, it frees up Ryan Fraser to play in another area of the pinch or to be used as a sub and you also have experienced players with Francis, Aké and Daniels if three at the back is chosen. Of course, if one of this trio is injured during a game it may need a rethink. Steve Cook's injury is said not to be as bad as first feared and if it is not a tear he could be back for the match against Newcastle while Adam Smith is also probably likely to be back by then if not sooner.
Still, Bournemouth have played well with the 3-4-3 formation and with the number of attacking players in the squad it tends to give more options for fitting players into the team in positions where they can excel. I am sure that Jack Simpson would like to play and he has been unlucky in that he did not get the game against Stoke City when Steve Cook came off so early. But he will have other chances and he looks like being the main cover at the moment for defensive duties.
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| Steve Cook may not be available but AFCB could stlll play three at the back. |
I don't doubt that Fraser is a quick learner and he has been great at right wing back. The position of right back does ask more from him defensively though and he did extremely well against Stoke City when he played there. Whether he can do as well in forthcoming games when teams are going to see him as a possible weaker link is the question Eddie Howe will have to ponder if he does want to play four defenders.
Personally, I would stick with three at the back as it gives him several advantages. Firstly, it is one more defender he can then put on the bench. Secondly, it frees up Ryan Fraser to play in another area of the pinch or to be used as a sub and you also have experienced players with Francis, Aké and Daniels if three at the back is chosen. Of course, if one of this trio is injured during a game it may need a rethink. Steve Cook's injury is said not to be as bad as first feared and if it is not a tear he could be back for the match against Newcastle while Adam Smith is also probably likely to be back by then if not sooner.
Still, Bournemouth have played well with the 3-4-3 formation and with the number of attacking players in the squad it tends to give more options for fitting players into the team in positions where they can excel. I am sure that Jack Simpson would like to play and he has been unlucky in that he did not get the game against Stoke City when Steve Cook came off so early. But he will have other chances and he looks like being the main cover at the moment for defensive duties.
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