Subs changed it up for AFCB against Newcastle

Things weren't working well for the majority of the game between AFCB and Newcastle Utd. There was no real direction to Bournemouth's play and they were not testing the Newcastle keeper hardly at all in the first 70 minutes, but by the end they had turned it around to have five shots on target and a lot of that was down to the substitutions.

Adam Smith and Jermain Defoe had an influence on
the game when they came on as well as Lys Mousset.

Adam Smith came on at half time and just seemed more in tune with his surroundings that Charlie Daniels had been in the first half. He also wanted to attack and make Newcastle defend and his positive play gave Bournemouth a foothold in the Newcastle half whenever they went to the left side. Josh King suddenly became more active and worked well with Smith and the goal that was created was the culmination of their sustained efforts on the left. Like most fans I expect, I was willing Adam Smith to shoot as soon as he had got into the box and the thunderous finish had us all smiling because it just relieved some of the frustration that had been building up. It released the team to go on full out attack and there was more impetus to come with the running power of Lys Mousset and the dangerous presence of Jermain Defoe.

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Bournemouth needed something to change it up because they simply were on machine mode and were not doing anything positive when they had the ball, while making mistakes when they didn't have possession. It is a bit like the cavalry arriving when Eddie Howe puts on new faces. It was a shame that be was ill and not available because Bournemouth needed pace and on the right side it was left to Francis to try and also get forward more which I have to say he did second half and got in some excellent crosses. Stanislas did not get subbed, but I suppose Howe could have put Pugh on the left and switched Adam Smith over to the right, going three at the back. But Smith has been great on the left and it did allow him to cut inside for his goal. I know he can do it just as well from either wing but he has started to really excel when on the left of late.

Options from the bench are crucial in the Premier League. While Defoe dd not get much of a run it was great to see him back in contention and with his deadly finishing and perhaps Ibe getting back next game, Bournemouth can start to rely on having a really strong bench again.

Happy Birthday to Callum Wilson!