AFC Bournemouth returned to action at Dean Court to host Stoke City on Saturday afternoon. The Cherries had suffered an enforced layoff in recent weeks with storm Eunice damaging the Dean Court stadium enough to see a late postponement against Nottingham Forest and then subsequent damage from the same storm damaging Swansea City’s ground to see that game also rearranged for a later date.
Jefferson Lerma remained suspended, whilst an illness saw Nat Phillips miss out. The game also came too early for Ryan Christie who remains sidelined with injury.
Adam Smith and Chris Mepham made returns to the Cherries defence alongside Lloyd Kelly and Jordan Zemua, Lewis Cook held the anchor position in midfield behind the attacking threats of Jamal Lowe, Philip Billing, Todd Cantwell and Sirike Dembele, Dominic Solanke led the forward line.
Two late goals from AFC Bournemouth salvaged the points for Cherries head coach Scott Parker’s side.
Speaking after the game Parker told the Daily Echo…
“…My belief will never, ever wane really, in terms of whatever team or whatever I’m about.
“I realise through my experiences in football that a football match can change very, very quickly.
“I stand in front of the group of players on a daily basis since I’ve walked in here, talking about character, belief, a constant belief no matter what.
“It’s not until what’s happened over the past two results – probably those words are stronger.
“The big thing for me is the players now can really start believing and seeing that.
“That’s not luck – that comes from a culture, that comes from a togetherness and a constant belief…”
Man of the match against Stoke
Cantwell
Kelly
Solanke
Dembele
Zemura
Lowe
Mepham
Billing
Smith
Travers
Someone else
12 points from the last 12 ✅
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 26, 2022
Written by billythekid
In the first half, I thought we were awful and paid for messing around and slopping passing again at the back for Stoke City to take the lead with a cracking finish from Tommy Smith.
Our team again were so predictable with the slow build-up from the back in the first half particularly, no sudden quick balls from Travers downfield to try and catch their defence napping.
Then the red card came for their player and it didn’t make much difference and the two sides went in at half-time with the score 0-1.
Second half we were not a lot better until that late period where Solanke made it 1-1 and then Lowe made it 2-1 in the 89th minute of normal time, our side for the second game running snatched victory from what looked like defeats right near the end.
Our next game is away at Preston, our performance from the start needs to be better.
12 points out of a possible 12 points is a real plus, even if our football hasn’t been.
A little fact for you all.
Jamal Lowe's partner gave birth to their third child this week. Every time he's welcomed a newborn into the world, he's scored in the very next game.#afcb
— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) February 26, 2022
We'll leave you with the thoughts of this man 🥰
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 26, 2022
Standent wrote…
The system evidently works. We have a strong defence (fewest goals conceded in the league) and a strong attack (second highest goals scored). We also sit second in the table, with games in hand. 31 games in, these outputs are not down to luck. I think the whole basis of success is that the system provides the players with the level of consistency needed to grind out results week in week out. And that’s what you need in this league. We don’t change the way we play (small tinkering is about the most we do).
As to whether you hate the style of play, that’s quite subjective. I find it quite entertaining / in line with the “Bournemouth way” (I’ve always thought of us as a possession/passing team). I would much rather that than focus on “hitting the channels / early crossing / get it in the mixer” etc.
First half yesterday (pre sending off) the performance appeared poor (and was poor) for two reasons (in my humble opinion):
Firstly, Stoke defended well (give them credit). They were a hard team to play through. On the 2 or 3 times we managed, it took some very applause-worthy skill / tight passing to do so. One of them ended with Tommy Smith getting booked. The others we ballsed up with poor balls. It’s these moves that open up the pitch (whether you’re playing Stoke or Man City) but the issue was that there weren’t enough of them created in the first half.
Secondly, there were a couple of sloppy passes (one from each midfielder) and a bit of poor defending. So for each time we actually beat the press and opened up the pitch, we gave them an equal or better chance just by giving the ball away.
As for creating more of the moments that open up the pitch… I think we just needed to play the ball a bit quicker at times. That’s been the problem in loads of games. – Join the conversation, click here.
Up the Chez 🍒 pic.twitter.com/e97zhkmlju
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 26, 2022
Your say…
USCherry wrote…
That goal was created by Solanke with his turn and run down the line, drawing in two defenders and then drawing the foul. Free kick from Cantwell, not sure who knocked it back in from far post bu Solanke with a header from a yard out. Never going to miss from there. – Join the conversation, click here.
I love this game🤩. https://t.co/pAAyIBe2I7
— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) February 26, 2022
Here's your updated #SkyBetChampionship table!#EFL pic.twitter.com/SvtjniH5WS
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 26, 2022
