On the back of the win over Middlesbrough at Dean Court, AFC Bournemouth travelled to Blackburn Rovers to try and make it back-to-back victories over the Easter weekend.
Cherries manager Jonathan Woodgate made a few changes for this one with Junior Stanislas dropping out of the squad for David Brooks, who made his first start in the league for the Cherries since 6th February.
Lloyd Kelly also returned to the starting XI, alongside Adam Smith, Steve Cook and Cameron Carter-Vickers in what appears to be Woodgate’s preferred back four.
Jefferson Lerman and Ben Pearson were charged with the sitting midfield roles, with Philip Billing given a licence to roam forward in a near number 10 role.
Dominic Solanke was supported by Brooks and Arnaut Danjuma in the wide positions.
After the game, Woodgate told Sky Sports…
“We ground it out. It was a professional performance. We can play better at times but it’s a sign of a good team when you can grind out results and I thought we did that. I think since I’ve been here we’ve only had one defeat away from home so we’ve improved that side of the game, which we needed to do.
“Coming away from home, it’s not all about being pretty. It’s about getting results and we did that today. Today we were more clinical in both boxes. Ugly Bournemouth, I’ll take it all day long. Sometimes people say pretty Bournemouth, soft and all that. Not at the minute. It was a strong performance. It’s not all going to be perfect and sunny every single day. Sometimes you’ve got to really grind results out and we did that. We weren’t at our most fluent today but that happens. A very good four days over Easter.”
Three points and a clean sheet ☑
The gaffer's pleased with that one 👏
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 5, 2021
Jonathan Woodgate says it's the sign of a good team when you don't play well and win 👊
Listen to the Bournemouth boss with @kristemple after The Cherries beat Blackburn 2-0 🔊👇 #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/STA1jggSz3
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) April 5, 2021
"You need a bit luck and thankfully I got my leg out there"
Big save from @asmir1 right at the end 👏
The #afcb 'keeper spoke to @kristemple after the win. Listen to his reaction 🔊👇 pic.twitter.com/8n0hqeAD6G
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) April 5, 2021
Believe you can, and you’re halfway there. 3 wins on the spin. Let’s gooo 👊🏽 🍒 pic.twitter.com/zNHaeSdbML
— Arnaut Danjuma (@Danjuma) April 5, 2021
It wasn’t pretty but a big 3 points and a clean sheet. 🍒🏹 pic.twitter.com/ixOcrhMTd1
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) April 5, 2021
Are we missing a trick with Arnaut Danjuma?
The guy is a finisher the like of which we haven’t seen since Brett Pitman……he really should be playing up front for us….his chance conversation rate is mental.
I like Dominic Solanke..he brings a lot to the team…well apart from goals and that’s really what we want from a striker, isn’t it? ……to be fair to Dom he looks a lot better when we play 433 with players around him as opposed to the lone striker role he had Saturday….actually I think Sam Surridge is more suited to that role than Dom.
The added bonus of playing Danjuma upfront of course is that we could return Junior Stanislas back to his best position (on the left).
I like this idea but then you have to think whether Arnie has good enough hold up play or is good enough in the air. The way we are playing at the moment is a bit more direct so may not suit him as a lone striker. We could maybe have Dom or Sam next to him in a 4-4-2? But we would lose Philip Billing, which would be a massive loss to the team at the moment. Maybe we could just push Phil further up the pitch next to him when we intend to go long and use him as a focal point with Arnie spinning in behind? Definitely an interesting prospect. No time better to try it if we are 2 up against Coventry.
Think Danjuma is at his most dangerous when he has the ball out wide and then cuts in for his shot.
Monday, as soon as he got that ball I knew he was going to tuck it away and he did in his normal style.
He is best in a one on one situation. – Join the conversation, click here.