Where do Bournemouth need to improve?

The first outing of a new season has rarely ended in Bournemouth's fans being satisfied at seeing a great performance. The Cherries are traditionally slow starters and working on things to improve the points situation is something Eddie Howe is used to. But what parts of the play could be improved before the next game?

AFCB didn't quite get everything right last Saturday,
but playing at Villa Park is going to be no easier.

I'd say that the forward three of Wilson, King and Fraser was a little disappointing. They didn't make the gaps in the Sheffield United defence and found it hard to get in behind. It is unusual to see Fraser playing back on the right and while it is a change that might have disturbed Sheffield's game plan, it didn't give Bournemouth any advantage or cohesiveness in Bournemouth's attacking play.

The central midfield partnership of Billing and Lerma is just beginning and I don't think we could have hoped for much more from them. They worked well enough together and Billing even managed to get a few shots away, while Lerma put some good passes in and linked play as well as he could. The tackling from Billing was very noticeable, but the two players had to work very hard in the system Howe was employing.

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At the back it was Ramsdale that got Bournemouth out of trouble on a few occasions. I wonder if three centre-backs gives a bit of a feeling of over security when the team needs players to take more responsibility for their passing and decisions. The goal that was conceded was from a set-piece and in the last coupe of minutes, so the old question of concentration and fitness will be raised in post-match discussions. 

Ultimately, the players will have to find some of their own solutions to the performances on the pitch, as they are the only ones who can directly affect things during the 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Sportwitness is linking Diego Rico with a possible move away to Real Sociedad or Celta Vigo.

In the Carabao CupBournemouth have been drawn at home in the second round against Forest Green Rovers.