Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 14.
AFC Bournemouth
With three wins in their last four Premier League matches, it feels as if AFC Bournemouth are beginning to click under the guidance of head coach Andoni Iraola.
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Their most recent victories, a 3-1 win at Sheffield United and a 2-0 home triumph against a depleted Newcastle United, were especially impressive and have earned Iraola a nomination for the Barclays Manager of the Month for November.
The Cherries are performing with aggression, confidence and positive intent, and have provided optimism they are ready for attack to be their best form of defence in the coming months.
As the numbers below outline, Bournemouth outplayed their last two opponents, registering season bests for expected goals (xG), shots inside the box and expected goals against (xGA).
Assertive & attack-minded
| Highest xG | Most shots in box | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheff Utd (A) | 2.86 | Sheff Utd (A) | 16 |
| Newcastle (H) | 2.46 | Newcastle (H) | 15 |
| Brentford (A) | 2.09 | Brentford (A) | 10 |
| Lowest xGA | Shots faced | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle (H) | 0.49 | Burnley (H) | 6 |
| Sheff Utd (A) | 0.78 | Newcastle (H) | 8 |
| Burnley (H) | 0.83 | Sheff Utd (A) | 10 |
Iraola’s men ran out comfortable winners, taking forceful control of those matches.
In their 2-1 comeback win at home to Burnley they also limited the visitors to only six shots, another campaign best.
Learning new methods
Iraola’s players struggled to get the balance right earlier on this season.
They pressed hard but made positional errors, both individually and collectively, because they were still learning about the finer details of what their new head coach wanted.
This exposed an overworked defence.
Across their opening four matches, Bournemouth faced an average of 20 shots per 90 minutes, but they have made marked improvements since.
Step by step they are learning Iraola’s way, and there are tangible signs of improvement.
Tactically more comfortable, they are defending better as a unit.
While they did face 21 shots in a heavy defeat at Manchester City, the Cherries’ three wins had opponents average only eight shots apiece.
| Matchweeks | Shots faced/ 90 |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | 20.0 |
| 5-9 | 17.6 |
| 10-13 | 11.25 |
Fitter & stronger
To the naked eye Bournemouth have also looked more energised, and the data proves this to be the case.
The team has covered an extra 2.5km per match in their latest block of four fixtures, compared with their average across the first nine matches.
Making more off the ball runs, with greater intensity, they are pressurising opponents in an effective way.
Iraola has a group who are mentally and physically sharp enough to execute his brand of high-intensity football.
Bournemouth’s greater intensity
| MW1-9 | MW10-13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance run (km) | 110.6 | 113.1 |
| Pressures | 191.7 | 205.5 |
| Off-ball runs | 145.7 | 149.3 |
| Off-ball runs into box | 34.4 | 37.8 |
This added layer of physicality has certainly made them tougher to play against.
Able to get closer to opponents, Bournemouth are winning far more duels and tackles.
This controlled aggression has put them on the front foot.
Bournemouth aggression in 2023/24
| Most duels won | Most tackles won | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheff Utd (A) | 64 | Newcastle (H) | 18 |
| Burnley (H) | 62 | Burnley (H) | 16 |
| Everton (A) | 61 | Wolves (H) | 12 |
Villa must shackle wing duo
Attacking midfielders Marcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo are in superb form heading into Sunday’s match at home to Aston Villa.
Semenyo scored from a wonderful turnover he created against Burnley, and the Ghanaian has been brimming with confidence ever since.
It was also the 23-year-old’s driving run and incisive pass that set up Tavernier for the Cherries’ crucial opener at Sheff Utd.
And Tavernier, one of the division’s most effective dribblers, scored a brace at Bramall Lane.
Playing out wide but always looking to carry the ball inside at pace, Semenyo and Tavernier could be tempo setters for Bournemouth this weekend.
Handling their skill and directness will be a priority for Unai Emery’s side.