Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG timeline for the Wolves game. AFCB started brightly with two 1 in 10 efforts from Senesi and Solanke and a 1 in 12 from Kluivert in the first 10 minutes. Wolves had one spell where Travers saved well from Sarabia (1 in 15) and Hee-Chan had a header from the resulting corner (1 in 11) but that was their sole attempt in the first 30 minutes. AFCB kept pressing and had good attempts from Kerkez (1 in 8) and Kluivert (28%) before Semenyo scored. A cross from Kerkez was poorly cleared and Semenyo reacted quickest (18%). That was largely it for the first half and at the break the xG was Wolves 0.24, AFCB 1.12. The second half started cautiously until Kluivert was through but couldn’t beat Sa (nearly 2 in 5). AFCB maintained the pressure and Semenyo had another good chance (1 in 6) to double the lead. From nowhere it looked as though Wolves had equalised with a Hee-Chan header, the goal was chalked off for a foul in the build-up on Kluivert. It was a foul, but there would be many AFCB fans who would not have been happy if this was the other way. From the moment the crowd seemed to be more hostile and Bournemouth didn’t have another chance. Wolves were pushing for an equaliser, but had not troubled Travers, although the situation became more favourable when Kerkez was sent off in the 79th minute for an over-aggressive tackle. Wolves were now dominant and in the late stages of 10 minutes of injury time had a goal ruled out for offside that was closer than it originally looked. The cherries held on though and the final xG was Wolves 0.56, AFCB 1.96. Understat had it more in our favour, at 0.48 vs 2.40.
Man of the match against WolvesSenesi
Christie
Semenyo
Travers
Smith
Cook
Zabarnyi
Scott
Solanke
Kluivert
Someone else
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The main surprise was that Travers was played instead of Neto, and Iraola switched Kluivert to the left wing with Scott coming into the 10 role. The average positions are below. The team positioning was very high with the full-backs Smith (15) and Kerkez (3) higher than the two midfielders, Cook (4) and Christie (10). Scott (14) was more advanced than the wide men Kluivert (19) and Semenyo (24) and played close to Solanke (9). The first sub (74 minutes) was Ouattara (11) replacing Kluivert but from his average position, the game was beginning to turn. Just after Kerkez’s red card, Kelly (5) replaced Scott, playing in the defence with Ouattara also providing cover at left-back. In the 87th minute Senesi (25) was replaced by Hill (23) and Uanl (26) replaced Solanke. The average position of the four subs showed that we were soaking up pressure.
Christie had the most touches in total (69) ahead of Cook (64). Smith had the highest number of touches in the opposition half (42) whilst Christie had the highest in the final third with 30.
AFCB had 43 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, the third highest behind Sheff Utd at home and Fulham away. Scott had the most (11) followed by Solanke with 7.
Cook attempted the most passes with 49, Scott attempted most in the opposition’s half (26) and in the final third with 18. We averaged 74% completion with only Cook and Christie having values over 85%.
AFCB attempted 18 crosses, being successful with 4, three from Christie and 1 from Kluivert.
Our players tried to take on a man 20 times being successful 3 times. Christie and Semenyo had the most successes, 3, from 4 and 5 attempts respectively.
AFCB created 15 chances (1 big). Christie and Scott set up 4 chances each. Wolves created 11 chances, none big (although Hee-Chan’s disallowed goal would have been a big chance.
We had 21 attempts (5 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. The 5 big chances is joint second for the season after Shef U home (and level with Shef U away). We hit the target six times. Christie, Kluivert and Senesi had four attempts each. Wolves had 15 attempts, 0 big, and hit the target 3 times.
AFCB won 21 of 44 aerials duals. Kelly and Smith both won 3 out of 3, strangely Semenyo lost all 7 of his duels.
AFCB won 22 of 32 tackles. Senesi won 5 from 6. Coming on late, nominally as an attacker, Unal won 3 from 3.
Christie made the most defensive actions with 17. He made most interceptions (5). Travers made the most recoveries (13). Zabarnyi made the most clearances (5) and Unal made the most blocks (2).
According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.
The foul count was AFCB 17, Wolves 9. Christie made the most fouls (4). Kluivert was fouled three times.
The Opta expected goals had Kluivert (0.76) but Senesi (0.37), Semenyo (0.27) and Christie (0.2) all were at 0.2 or over. For assists, Christie (0.28) was top, followed by Solanke at 0.11.
