Goals are always the hardest thing to be consistent at. Bournemouth may just have to play their strikers into form by drilling them over and over again at shooting at different angles to get repetition and familiarity on their side.
Against Sevilla FC we saw our Bournemouth strikers find it difficult to get into many shooting positions. While Callum Wilson probably had the best chance to score against Sevilla he didn't feature against Levante. The movement of Defoe was probably the best against Sevilla and Levante. Josh King and Lys Mousset were full of running in both games, but didn't find it easy to get into the positions where they could get strikes on goal. In the end it was Jordan Ibe that scored the equaliser against Sevilla FC. This was perhaps no bad thing though as Ibe needs to score more regularly to become the Premier League player that makes opposition teams more frightened of him.
If Defoe is not considered the best candidate to start, there has to be more consideration in my mind of how to get the most out of Josh King. He can be explosive as a number nine and he tucks away crosses in and around the six yard box as well as most forwards. Against Levante we saw King battling away without getting clear opportunities and it was Defoe who got his name on the score sheet. Against Bristol City Defoe only had one good chance which was saved and King made his own opportunity and took it.
As for Lys Mousset, I believe he just needs more time to find out more about himself. If he does not know what he is going to do half the time then his team-mates won't know either. I like to see Lys with playing up front with Defoe, as he couldn't have a better teacher to copy from when it comes to movement and finishing.
In other news, AFCB are reported to have made another €30m bid for Levante's Jefferson Lerma. The Daily Mirror also links Spurs targeting Lewis Cook.
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| Will Jermain Defoe find his scoring touch this season? |
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The forward situation does make me nervous though. While Bournemouth have sold Grabban, Afobe and Gradel they have not bought in a striker of quality yet. The combination of Wilson and King may still be Howe's preferred double act up front but they don't have many matches where they both get on the score sheet and make assists for each other. It could be different if Defoe suddenly clicks and has the kind of pre-season that makes it hard for him to be left out of the team, but it's not looking that way. Defoe has the experience and the movement to still baffle Premier League defences, but he has found that hard to do in a Bournemouth shirt. Jermain is better than a second half substitute if Bournemouth can start to play to Jermain's strengths. He's fast and lively inside and outside the box, but AFCB's players have to think about where Defoe is likely to be making his runs much quicker.
If Defoe is not considered the best candidate to start, there has to be more consideration in my mind of how to get the most out of Josh King. He can be explosive as a number nine and he tucks away crosses in and around the six yard box as well as most forwards. Against Levante we saw King battling away without getting clear opportunities and it was Defoe who got his name on the score sheet. Against Bristol City Defoe only had one good chance which was saved and King made his own opportunity and took it.
As for Lys Mousset, I believe he just needs more time to find out more about himself. If he does not know what he is going to do half the time then his team-mates won't know either. I like to see Lys with playing up front with Defoe, as he couldn't have a better teacher to copy from when it comes to movement and finishing.
In other news, AFCB are reported to have made another €30m bid for Levante's Jefferson Lerma. The Daily Mirror also links Spurs targeting Lewis Cook.
Anyone know why Eddie Howe is more interested in midfielders than a striker?? We need to score goals!
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