Wednesday 18 April 2018

AFCB have to stamp out wayward passing for Man Utd

Bournemouth didn't really have any answer to Liverpool's play at Anfield. When the team did get possession they lost it almost immediately and at the end of the game AFCB had only managed 38.2 per cent possession, and had not achieved as much as they would have liked with that. Bournemouth's midfield was chasing shadows and found it hard to change to make a positive impact on the game. So, what needs to change for AFCB to beat Man Utd?
Can AFCB find their passing game?
At least Man Utd will have to come to Dean Court. They still have a great array of attacking players with Lukaku, Lingard, Sanchéz and Pogba posing multiple threats. But AFCB have to compete in midfield much better than they did up at Anfield. The home crowd will not accept a Bournemouth team that don't have a go under floodlights and the team has to find a response that is creative and at the same time not feeding the Man Utd stars with easy possession. Man Utd might also rest some players for the FA Cup Semi-Final with Spurs and Mourinho is probably none to pleased with some of those who lost to WBA on Sunday.

The passing from AFCB at Anfield was rarely lasting longer than three passes and interceptions were numerous. But were the runs of Defoe, King, Ibe and Fraser good enough to make it easy for themselves to be found and did they work well enough in front of goal to pose any problems for the opposition? AFCB were blunt in attack and by trying to contain Liverpool the team lost its identity to create effective attacks until the last 15 minutes when the game was arguably already gone.

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Against Man Utd should we expect more opportunities? I expect the game to be more end to end and for the Cherries to be more aggressive. They have to set out with the intention to win the 50:50 challenges and to get in front of Man Utd rather than let them dictate.

Eddie Howe stated that the passing was wayward at Anfield and that Andrew Surman gave the team the control he was looking for in the end. But does Howe think that Gosling and Cook are not yet ready to be effective enough against the best sides? Should he recall Surman to the starting line up? I don't believe fans want Surman to start against Man Utd but Howe will be aware that AFCB's midfield has to have more control against Utd and he'll have to find away of getting that platform to get AFCB's passing game going.

AFCB Home Form
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Man Utd Away Form
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Listen to my short interview with Adam Catterall on TalkSport previewing AFCB v Man Utd

Don't forget to send in your score predictions for tonight's game. Tweet @CherryChimes

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