Over the summer we have been treated to some great Pre-season games. The score lines may not have all been fantastic, but the Cherries kept their unbeaten going well until they played Nottingham Forest, so everything is rosy isn't it? Well, even Eddie Howe can't ignore the fact that obtaining clean sheets has been a hurdle too far. If the Cherries are to do better next season they really need to try and get more miserly at the back.
Cherry Chimes' Newsletter - out tomorrow |
| Asmir Begovic must feel like he is in a pin ball machine, because even if he saves one the rebound will go in. |
Bournemouth have used Artur Bouc and Asmir Begovic in equal measure this summer. I expect most of us presume Begovic will begin the season as the number one choice though and yet it is not surprising to me that he hasn't managed to keep a clean sheet. He has had a few moments when his kicking has still been suspect and while he makes the saves you expect him to make, I believe Begovic could really help the defence out more if he did start barking at them a little more and start being more assertive in coming for crosses and reacting when he pulls off a good save.
It has almost become accepted that AFCB will concede a goal at some point in a game and the defence needs to get out of the habit that this is okay. Teams can entertain and play attacking football without conceding. The players need to be better at doing the simple things at the back, like playing the percentages when they are being closed down to limit the risks of being caught out.
Some of the goals that have gone in against AFCB during pre-season are undoubtedly linked to fitness and simply sloppy play. Whether the team can get that out of its system though by the time 11 August comes around is the main objective. The visiting teams of Real Betis and Olympic Marseilles will have much more accomplished finishers than AFCB have faced in recent games. I want to see a bit more solid defending against these teams than we have seen so far this summer. Room for improvement - absolutely.
Cherry Chimes' August Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out tomorrow with special story - Have AFCB brought in enough players?
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