Better with 10-men

Eddie Howe couldn't really explain why Bournemouth showed more spirit and fight when going down to 10-men against Wolves. Yes, he had told the players that they were playing for the fans and their families in the second half to make sure the score was not embarrassing, but something was yet again wrong about the mentality in the first 45 minutes and it's not the first time we have seen it this season.

AFCB did get themselves going with their ore-match huddle.

Going a goal down seemed to suck the life out of the Cherries. Moutinho scored a fantastic free kick and there is no arguing with the quality of the strike, with Ramsdale finding it to get up in a crowded box to stop the dipping shot. More disappointing was Simon Francis' lunge on Jota which led to the free kick in the first place. Did he need to make the challenge? Did he get close enough to feel confident he would block the ball and not be late? Francis was just not quick enough and the only thing you can say about the challenge was it was made outside the box.

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With Francis soon removed, the Cherries needed to reorganise and get their heads sorted but they seemed to dwell on their inconsistency and poor showing of the first 40 minutes and couldn't do much to find a shot in the first half. But with two new players coming on and a talking to from Eddie Howe at half-time, things changed and for the good. Bournemouth now have to capture that spirit and desire for the next game.

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There was a fight about AFCB in the second half. A willingness to do everything to get themselves into the game and real passion that came to the fore when Steve Cook scored. But the Cherries had given themselves too much to do and while the 10-men performed well, it can't happen like this every game to feel almost out of the game before starting to work hard. A lot of self analysis on the part of the players is needed this week ahead of a massive challenge next weekend. 

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Chimes to Camera - AFCB 1 v 2 Wolves