The difference between Man United and AFCB was perhaps no more clearly seen than in the substitutions that Mourinho was able to make, compared to those that Eddie Howe had up his sleeve. Man Utd brought on match winners in Rashford, Lingard and Herrera. It was a deadly trio that just increased United's fire power, but despite all the investment that has been made on AFCB's squad they just didn't have similar quality on the bench.
The form of David Brooks is, of course, sensational. It is difficult for anyone to play much better at the moment and Ibe has to keep working hard to see when he gets his chance. If Ibe can view Brooks form positively and look to play as well, Bournemouth would be much the stronger for it.
I think Defoe and Mousset would have offered something for the Cherries in the last few minute against United and I would have liked to have seen one of them come on to keep United's back line occupied. Instead Howe chose to bolster midfield with Gosling, Ibe and Surman. Going defensive though was a backward step and perhaps Howe will think differently the next time AFCB are in a similar position against a side that is penning Bournemouth in?
Daily Mail Fans' Verdict - AFCB 1-2 Man Utd
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| Ibe has to do more if he is to be an impact sub. |
The bench is where Howe needs to improve his side. The quality has to be as good as those already on the pitch and we know from the match against Norwich that it isn't there at the moment. If Jordan Ibe is going to be a game changer then he has to start believing in himself more. He has to see himself as being better than those that are ahead of him and try and prove his manager wrong. But does Ibe have that in him?
The form of David Brooks is, of course, sensational. It is difficult for anyone to play much better at the moment and Ibe has to keep working hard to see when he gets his chance. If Ibe can view Brooks form positively and look to play as well, Bournemouth would be much the stronger for it.
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I think Defoe and Mousset would have offered something for the Cherries in the last few minute against United and I would have liked to have seen one of them come on to keep United's back line occupied. Instead Howe chose to bolster midfield with Gosling, Ibe and Surman. Going defensive though was a backward step and perhaps Howe will think differently the next time AFCB are in a similar position against a side that is penning Bournemouth in?
Daily Mail Fans' Verdict - AFCB 1-2 Man Utd
Yes, going defensive was a backward step and I'm sure Eddie Howe now regrets this.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to Ibe, confidence for any player can be a tricky issue. There will be a natural nervousness, or tendency to try too hard, as players seek to justify their position. Take the case of Ryan Fraser, where his undoubted ability was somewhat held in check while he was trying to establish himself in the team. Even the famous match-winning display at home to Liverpool was followed by sporadic displays. This season however, it is as if Ryan truly believes he is a top premiership player.