New season, new regime, new players but would it be a new AFCB?

Written by kirsikka

Before this round of fixtures started, AFC Bournemouth sat proudly atop the table whilst West Ham were languishing in the relegation zone. This top vs bottom fixture could yet prove to be vital to both clubs in the respective battles this season. Plus, given our other coming fixtures, we could really have done with the three points.

The much moaned about (by me) ongoing AFCB injury situation is still firmly in place at the start of the season. Hopefully, the new American guy can make an impact soon because it’s frankly ridiculous to start yet another campaign with so many out. Seven players missing, of which one they get a pass on as he’s only been here a few days. Fingers crossed we see changes on that front soon.

As a result, AI shuffled his pack, forced into an imbalanced central midfield of Christie, Philip and Rothwell. The truth is, it didn’t always look terrible. Elsewhere, the biggest surprise was Anthony getting the nod ahead of Kluivert.

Into the game and it quickly became clear that the ref was letting a lot of softer stuff go. If that’s the standard of contact that doesn’t win a free kick and it applies to everyone all season then fine. Sadly, I somehow doubt we’ll get away with defending like West Ham were when we play at Anfield next week. In fact, I’m already suspicious it’ll be yet another way in which refs tilt games towards the special ones. Although Paqueta was picking them up easily enough… perhaps the ref getting used to giving him free kicks in advance of his imminent Man City move?

It was a slow opening but the longer the first half went on the better we looked. Growing into the new system as we started to push West Ham back without creating too much.

The second half opened with us on top again until Rothwell had a heavy touch trying to dribble it out, lost it and Bowen turned and smacked in a goal. That’s a goal you could possibly lay the blame on the missing CMs as I don’t think he’d be the furthest back CM if we had different players available.

How would we, and AI, respond to going behind? By taking off Anthony, who’d had a poor day, and bringing on Kluivert. At the same time, Mepham had to come on for an injured Senesi. Let’s hope that isn’t another for the treatment table.

Rothwell showed again why he should be further forward when he sold a dummy on the edge of the box and, with the keeper nowhere, was unlucky to see his shot ping off the crossbar.

Moore came on for Christie as AI tried to change things further, although I’d have also taken off Solanke and brought on Traore. Shows what I know considering what happened. Anyway, this was where I was expecting us to get it wide and knock in some crosses, a real Plan B approach. We saw some of it, but not to the extent I was maybe expecting.

Meanwhile, West Ham were sitting back, happy with their lead and challenging us to break them down. Classic Moyes.

The equalizer came from Semenyo having a crack from distance that was, frankly, rubbish. So bad it turned out to be the perfect through ball for Solanke who was alive on the shoulder of the last defender and took his chance with aplomb.

After that, we tried to fashion a winner and remained the better team but couldn’t create an opening, a few times the ball not quite dropping as we needed it to.

So a draw to start the AI era.

Set piece watch
Nearly conceded from a corner that needed a far post Philip clearance to keep it out. Apart from that, it wasn’t quite the panic stations of last season, but then we didn’t concede 10+ corners and free kicks which seemed to be standard last season. One of the benefits of trying to play further up the pitch.

New signing watch

Kerkez
Looked to get forward, but maybe not quite the crazy guy he talked about just yet. A little circumspection is understandable on his debut. Did get skinned once first half. Seemed to grow in confidence as the match went on as we saw him fly up the wing a few times.

Aarons
His channel was exposed a few times in the first half. Not completely unexpected that they would target it and too early to judge him in any way harshly for it. However, the sign of seeing him bomb forward full pace in the back of the picture when we won the ball was like a throwback to classic Howe. Also played one excellent through ball for Solanke. Exciting.

Kluivert
Only on for 30 minutes and didn’t really get in the game but not one to judge him harshly on.

Positive Performances

Brooks – Involved in some form in most of the good things we did going forward. There were still stray passes and weak shots, but the intent to make things happen was there. Unlucky with a volley that required excellent technique to get on target. Did fade before being subbed but encouraging stuff.

Aarons – See the previous section.

Semenyo – Thought he made a difference when he came on with his direct running, power and getting stuck in. He didn’t turn the game but he certainly gave a West Ham team that were sitting back and mostly comfortable something to think about. Plus he got a somewhat fortunate assist.

Room for Improvement

Anthony – Had a bit of a ‘mare first half with often poor control, passing, and presence although did improve towards the end. There was one moment when he showed his ability but I was expecting him to be hooked at half time. I think his work rate will make him an important part of an AI squad, but today wasn’t his day.

Solanke – No physical presence to upset the defenders and it just wasn’t happening for him out there every time he got the ball. And then from nowhere, he scored with a piece of excellent striker’s play so… More of that from him and the season could get very interesting indeed.

AI Watch

At times football is a bit like alchemy. You’re unlikely to land on the right mix of materials and processes the first time, you have to keep experimenting. So it’s not a complete surprise that the leaden-footed finish to last season wasn’t instantly turned into gold.

He certainly isn’t afraid to use his subs which is definitely a positive.

It wasn’t swashbuckling stuff but there was definitely much more desire to take the game to the opposition. It won’t always come off, and today it didn’t, but there was enough there to look forward to future matches. Although, given the fixtures, it is possible it could be November before we see too many wins on the back of it. Patience is a virtue.

I’m interested to see how we utilise Semenyo if the refs do stick to letting softer stuff go. He has that physicality and bustle about him that could cause chaos under these rules. I’d sometimes like to see us try him leading the line in the Solanke role to see what happens.

Overall, it’s a point on the board in a match where we were the better side against a team that came to Dean Court and beat us 4-0 last season. A decent start upon which to build.

Your say…

SlowDownDerek said…

Enjoyed that. It certainly wasn’t perfect and we struggled to create much at times but we matched them with a patched-up side with a few new faces.

The defence looked decent. They performed fine as a unit and they all look like good footballers so you’d hope AI can make a really strong unit out of them. I thought Meps and Hill also did alright when they came on. Hill looks more like a full-back than a centre-back anyway.

Bad mistake for the goal but I agreed that Rothwell was MOM. I thought the midfield was alright under the circumstances. I’ll be really intrigued to see what happens with Phil Bill. Personally I’d go all out to get him to extend but you wonder if IR rates him highly enough.

Semenyo was exactly how the Bristol City fan on here described him as the other day. Erratic, not a great first touch but has an X factor that causes trouble, works hard and is strong as an ox. I wondered if there was much room for him this season but he’s earned another chance off the bench with that cameo.

Dom had a funny game. Looked off it but created a few decent chances and scored. That’ll do to be fair. – To join the conversation, click here.