Better defending still needed for the Cherries

Junior Stanislas admitted that the team as a whole needed to defend better in his post-match interview after the Man Utd game. He did well at sowing up most of the left side, although Rico still found himself tested occasionally. It was the right side that was real problem area for Bournemouth against Man United, and I do think switching Adam Smith back to right back has not really worked.
Adam Smith has been run ragged.Adam Smith was unlucky with his handball I suppose, but you have to be careful in the penalty box, and he did rush in. On the plus side he did make the cross that led to Bournemouth's goal in the opening few minutes of the game. But you have to look at Adam Smith again for the first goal that Greenwood scored and the goal just on half-time, when he didn't get anywhere near Martial when he cracked in his goal. Adam Smith certainly had a torrid game, but he didn't get a lot of help.

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Bournemouth don't seem able to react in a game when they are being overrun on one side. They need to sense danger better and look to make themselves harder to beat, as Stanislas says. The work rate was better against Man United, but not enough of the players wanted to do the dirty work of tracking back and helping the defence. It was all a bit hopeful that someone would win the ball so they could go straight on the attack.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!The problem this season is that Bournemouth haven't got the balance right. They have left themselves too open and haven't forced enough shots when they do go forward. They don't look capable of a clean sheet, and if you haven't got that in your locker than the team is always going to be on the back foot. 

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Howe can change the players and try different formations, but ultimately it is down to the players to work hard for each other and to be more determined not to get beat. Bournemouth have had a soft under belly this season and even West Ham and Watford are showing that when it comes to the death, their players are going to fight tooth and nail even for a point. I just don't see that in AFCB's players, but I hope I am wrong and that they can up their game against the best sides in the last five games.

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