Bournemouth did it all the hard way against Southampton. Defensive lapses were very evident and mistakes were acknowledged by Steve Cook after the game, but at least the players knew how to dig themselves out of the hole in this latest game.
There is obviously a lot of work to do for Bournemouth's back line ahead of the Tottenham game. The team concedes goals like throwing confetti at the moment. Artur Boruc had moments when he covered himself in glory and then didn't get near Southampton's second and third goals where he might have done better. Still two of the goals went through players legs, which indicates that Aké and Simpson on those occasions didn't get close enough to close down and get the blocks in. It was all a bit frantic and haphazard at the back at times.
While Bournemouth were lucky to get away with a few chances that Southampton had to score more, the shot count against the Cherries rapidly rose to 22 shot by the end of the match. Boruc was not getting a quiet Saturday afternoon and his protection was pretty threadbare at times.
Bournemouth have to work on their shape like they did for the Man City match for next week and it's imperative that the back four or five get their distances right and track runners much better than they did against Southampton, while the midfielders have to cut down the number of turnovers they are giving away just outside of the box.
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| Bournemouth are still finding it hard to protect their goal. |
I don't believe Howe will have to many fond memories on playing this match back and looking at Southampton's goals and chances early on. Bournemouth were well out of their comfort zone and were hanging on for dear life at times. The ease with which Southampton were finding space with Redmond, Long and Ward-Prowse was alarming and Howe was having to change the shape of the team because the five at the back just wasn't functioning and tracking the runners.
There is obviously a lot of work to do for Bournemouth's back line ahead of the Tottenham game. The team concedes goals like throwing confetti at the moment. Artur Boruc had moments when he covered himself in glory and then didn't get near Southampton's second and third goals where he might have done better. Still two of the goals went through players legs, which indicates that Aké and Simpson on those occasions didn't get close enough to close down and get the blocks in. It was all a bit frantic and haphazard at the back at times.
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While Bournemouth were lucky to get away with a few chances that Southampton had to score more, the shot count against the Cherries rapidly rose to 22 shot by the end of the match. Boruc was not getting a quiet Saturday afternoon and his protection was pretty threadbare at times.
Bournemouth have to work on their shape like they did for the Man City match for next week and it's imperative that the back four or five get their distances right and track runners much better than they did against Southampton, while the midfielders have to cut down the number of turnovers they are giving away just outside of the box.
