AFCB master the second half sleepwalk at Cardiff

While we can say Steve Cook was a bit unfortunate to get caught off-balance and handle the ball for Cardiff's penalty, it was hard for Howe to come up with an explanation for the second goal right at the start of the second half. Somethings are not defendable and it's hard to work out why the ease with which Bobby Reid slipped in Cardiff's second goal came about.

Another tough day for AFCB's backline.

The second goal just summed up what a poor performance it was by Bournemouth at Cardiff. The players had only just come out of the dressing room after words of encouragement from Eddie Howe. Neil Warnock hadn't even got back to his seat and Bobby Reid and Cardiff were celebrating a two goal lead. The timing of the second goal was crucial. Had Bournemouth started tee second half well and got an equaliser, the game could have turned on its head. But Bournemouth sunk really quickly once the second goal went in.

In the past Bournemouth have often managed to find something when they look out of games. But there was no fightback. Howe made three changes in the second half, but none of the subs managed to generate any energy or purpose. The fact that Howe made three subs in the second half tells me that he thought the players looked tiered or drained.

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There is a question over whether Bournemouth ever have a plan B when things don't go their way. I believe it depends on the players Howe has at his disposal on the bench. At the moment the quality just isn't quite there to change games, and while Jermain Defoe celebrates another goal in Scotland, I just wonder if Bournemouth really did good business in letting a game changer sit out so many games at Bournemouth before letting him go on loan?