Written by kirsikka
More changes, enforced and voluntary, as AI rang the changes to send out a youthful AFCB XI. Evanilson dropping to the bench was probably the most notable of the swaps he actively chose to make.
The way we started the game sent the message loud and clear on what to expect. Instead of the usual 100mph in their faces, give it all for 15 minutes, we were subdued and contained.
It feels like it was a tactical directive, but I have to say we never really ignited after starting so slowly. I did hold out some hope that we’d see energy and ambition come off the bench. I was to be disappointed.
Man of the Match against Everton
Truffert
Truffert
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Semenyo
Semenyo
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Diakite
Diakite
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Someone else
Someone else
Vote
No one
No one
Vote
Another noticeable change was a reluctance to hit it long early. Instead, we often worked it carefully around at the back and invited Everton to press us. And so they did. You could argue it was down to missing the passing range of Senesi or knowing that with Kroupi leading the line, we wouldn’t win those balls. I think it was more the latter because when we did cave and boot it, he didn’t win anything.
I don’t think that’s news, as we saw similar in his previous appearances. It’s something he needs to work on, as well as AI, since he won’t make it at the very top level if he can’t be relied on as an outlet when his team is defending.
We did finally get an effort on goal after 23 minutes, but when was the last time it took us that long to have any kind of shot? Especially against a team that isn’t Man City. It was that kind of night.
There were a few moments when Scott started to impose himself in the middle of the park and suddenly, we looked a little more promising. Then he’d fade away again and so would our threat.
So passed by a first half so slow it could have been directed by Tarkovsky, instead of featuring Tarkowski.
There was a bright moment out of nowhere in injury time when a cross came in from the right, Adli flicked it and Kroupi pounced to slot home. Sadly, having been onside from the initial cross, he’d gone off by the time Adli touched it, meaning it was correctly disallowed.
I thought they’d get a rocket in the break and we’d see an all-action start to the second period. Instead, it was more soporific stuff where I was counting the seconds until the sub window we all knew would come on the hour mark.
It’s also worth pointing out that we looked all over the place when defending set pieces. Everton have a very blunt attack this season, but they looked like a threat every time from these. A couple of corners hit the woodwork and multiple others needed harum-scarum style scrappy blocks and clearances. On another night, we wouldn’t have got away with that.
Finally, the cavalry came on and Evanilson immediately showed what we were missing with two beautiful touches to set up two separate attacks. Only for him to then disappear for the rest of the match.
The problem was the lack of ambition. On those occasions where we did go forward, Everton would drop into a defensive shape where they’d have nine men spread across their edge of their area in two lines. We’d work it wide to try and get into a crossing position, look up and realise we had one or maybe two men in the box to aim for against six defenders. And they held a significant height advantage.
It isn’t often I’ll say this when watching an AI team, but I never felt at any point like we were going to score. And, yes, Moyes knows how to set up a defence, but I don’t think we put them to the test out there. It was a stroll for them.
Maybe the results have got to the team, as there seemed to be a nervous edge to them and a real lack of confidence. And zero intensity.
Desperate to see something, AI even tried Soler on the left wing. I’ll be honest, it didn’t remotely work, but I won’t criticise him for trying something funky to spark things into life when his options were so limited and there was nothing to build on out on the pitch.
The inevitable came after some careless play in the middle of the pitch, gifted possession back and Everton, who broke forward and switched it over to Grealish in space. He got a shot away, which took a huge deflection to leave Petrovic stranded.
Even after that and with Unal coming on, we didn’t see a final ten-minute rush to try and rescue things. It was insipid and about as comfortable a way to see out a 1-0 win as they’ll ever get.
Not one any of us will want to watch back.
Selected Player Watch
—– Milosavljevic —–
In an evening with very little to be encouraged about, he looked solid and promising.
—– Jiminez —–
Can also hold his head high. Kept the Scouse-team Scott mostly quiet and was one of the few players to show energy and desire to make something happen in attack.
—– Semenyo —–
Saturday, he was sublime; tonight, he was pedestrian. On a night when he was captain, we needed a leader’s performance. Instead, he drifted around mostly aimlessly and even allowed himself to be muscled off the ball more than once, which is the opposite of the player we know. Disappointing.
—– Kroupi —–
I wondered after Sunderland whether losing Evanilson’s work further up the pitch was a good exchange for a striker with the confidence to score. We saw with his disallowed effort that he can sniff out a goal. Yet, it was painful how nothing stuck when we sent it forward. Again, he’s still young and will learn. However, we have a real striker conundrum right now.
—– Tavernier —–
Only on as a sub, but that must be his worst performance for us. Gave the ball away cheaply every time he got it, including for the goal.
—– Adli —–
I know he’s still adapting to English football and hope it clicks soon. However, it remains a mystery to me what his clicking will look like, as I still can’t work out what he is as a player.
AI and Tactics Watch
It’s understandable to want to pull up the drawbridge a little after the weekend and other recent results. Sadly for us, the timing was terrible since Moyes’ teams are famed for being obdurate and, after getting thrashed at the weekend, were also going to be aiming for a clean sheet. Without us crashing like relentless waves against their defensive wall, it left us looked limp and ineffective.
There’s no doubt that the shadow of that aberration of a refereeing performance against Sunderland loomed large over this fixture, with the missing personnel meaning options were limited. We still should have made a better fist of it.
You can also see AI is reaching around, trying to find a formula that works at the moment. If I’m honest, the West Ham one was the right one. It was horrific bad luck, a couple of misjudgements, terrible weather and a MOTM performance from their keeper that stopped us from winning easily. Tonight, we were missing the pulse of what makes an AI team.
I understand the need to shore things up and finding that balance is hard yet we sacrificed our identity to try and do that. The thing is, a manager like Moyes lives and breathes tight games with defences on top where you can nick a one-nil win from a deflected shot.
That, for me, is the game. In trying to solidify things, we were way, way, way too cautious.
This wasn’t a match where we deserved anything more than nil. I’m not sure that Everton did either, but of the two sides, they showed more attacking intent. Which is crazy.
It leaves us in a tight spot. One point in five matches and six of our next nine against the Sky Six. AI has a record of doing well against those teams and we’re going to need him to continue that to stop this bad run from turning into a slump.
It was a dull game where we never forced the issue and paid the price. With Adams and Cook both suspended for the Chelsea match, plus Christie injured, we’re going to need some creative work to find a lineup that can work.
My guess is it’ll either be Scott as the 6 and Tavs the 8 or Hill as the 6 and Scott the 8. Both options look to have the potential to be totally overrun if we sit back, so hopefully we’ll revert to going at them.
Whichever he goes for, and I have a lot of faith in AI, I might just pull the sofa out from the wall in readiness in case I need to watch from behind it.
Your say…
Herbs said…
I can only hope there was illness in the squad, as I cannot think of another good reason for a performance like that.
We only made 4 subs and I cannot fathom why, when we have 3 right backs on the bench and Jimenez was running on empty, even leaving the pitch thinking he was being subbed off.
Also, hopefully that puts to bed Kroupi starting over Evanilson. He’s more of a Solksjaer at this point in his promising career. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…