AFCB Vital Blogs

If Bournemouth are sticking to a back three, who gets the nod?

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Written by AFCBade

If we persist with a 3 man central defence with two wing-backs, then AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall has an interesting selection challenge when/if everyone is fit.

Personally, I think Spanish defender Diego Rico has strengthened that three-man backline since England Under 21 international Lloyd Kelly was injured. Kelly is a class act but Rico looks stronger in that slot. We haven’t conceded a goal in open play in the last 3 games. Added to which Diego showing some classy twists and turns!

I wonder if Kelly should move to left wingback instead of Adam Smith when he returns as he looked an exciting attacking force at Bristol City before we signed him?

Back 3, Rico or Kelly?

Rico

Kelly

Kelly

Both

Both

Neither

Neither

Tinpot Club wrote…

Rico is definitely ahead of Kelly at Left Centre Back based on what we’ve seen this season so far.

If the allegations that new loan signing Cameron Robert Carter-Vickers from Tottenham Hotspur is slow is true, and we know pace isn’t Rico’s strongest asset too, we could probably find a place at the centre of the 3 sweeping up behind them. – Join the conversation, click here.

SteveJonesLegend added…

With Kelly almost back and Carter-Vickers now on the books, the biggest dilemma JT needs to sort is how he deals with who is the strongest backline… Rico, Kelly, Jack Stacey, Smith, C-V, Steve Cook and Chris Mepham…

Seven into… well, less than seven…?

I looked at our starting line up yesterday and my initial reaction was that we line up with a lot of defenders atm… If you add a reasonably defensively set L. Cook into it as well then 6/10 outfield players yesterday were defensive… No wonder we created very little.

I know games are coming thick and fast, so we can rotate but JT also needs to find a settled side and formation… partnerships and trios…

For me, the back 3 has to be Cook, Kelly and Meps… with Rico and Stacey as wingbacks… Probably harsh on Smith but we need round pegs in round holes… Kelly needs to play as Centre Back and Rico needs to be on the left… That should hopefully generate balance and a more settled backline…

I’d also try and get back to 1 up top of Joshua King or Dominic Solanke and then rotate the 2 behind over the coming weeks… Junior Stanislas and David Brooks seem like their game time need managing. With Rodrigo Riquelme and Arnaut Danjuma there as well we ‘should have’ enough flair and creativity to do something…

Interesting to think, apart from Solanke, not one of the attacking players I’ve typed just, played a part (really) against Queens Park Rangers… Just an off day and with missing players to come back in we’ll be firing soon.

PS. No way on this planet will King not feature… for both his and our sakes, he’ll play… – Join the conversation, click here.

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DJ

Up The Cherries!

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