If Bournemouth thought they would walk the Championship, the results against Middlesbrough and QPR have proved that they can't expect to win games with flat performances. The international break could well have been a contributory factor that stopped the team from keeping its rhythm, but the players knew they would have to hit QPR hard and they simply didn't get out of the traps. It was a test for Jason Tindall to see if he could turn things around and while the team picked up in the second half, he couldn't find the key to unlock QPRs defence.
A point was in the end well received in a game that could have been lost. It is always good to earn a clean sheet and most of QPR's shots were from distance. What we did see though was simple passing mistakes at the back which could easily have cost AFCB a goal or two. Whether Jason Tindall changes things for the Cardiff game at the back is something he might consider with Cameron Carter-Vickers now on AFCB's books. But a change in midfield is probably even more likely with Bournemouth's cutting-edge severely lacking against QPR.
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It was a strange decision not to start with Arnaut Danjuma who has been the star player of Bournemouth's good start. As soon as he came on the team picked up their game. It looks like Jason Tindall will be reliant on the services of David Brooks and Josh King to get the team up to full strength and it is balancing how often he can play with and without his star players that I think Tindall is still getting a feel for.
With Cardiff and Watford to come in the next few days, there is no time for resting up. Bournemouth have to find a winning formula if they are to keep pace with the front runners in this league. Putting a marker down in away games is the request now. That may suit AFCB's counter-attacking players. JT will certainly want more attacking zeal than we received for the QPR match that didn't see a Bournemouth shot on target.
It's worth remembering that in the Championship most games are decided by quite fine margins. Leeds ran out winners last season, but had very few easy games and often struggled for goals. There are a lot of solid teams in the division, but a common theme is limited attacking or creative options - since these players tend to get snapped up by the Premiership.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't look hungry throughout the game
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