What did we learn from AFC Bournemouth’s draw at the Liberty?

After five consecutive defeats for my side AFC Bournemouth, this weekend’s draw against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium was certainly a relief – even if it could have been even better if we had been able to get the third goal our control in the game deserved.

But what did we actually learn about AFCB from the match, I hear you ask. Well I can actually sum it up in some easy to digest points, and have done this below - aren’t you lucky?

Our attacking confidence remains…

Despite the many defeats suffered so far this term – many of them worrying in how much we have been outclassed - the team still looks confident going forward, and in no better place was that demonstrated than in the first half at the Liberty.

Our full backs marauded forward when they could (with the surging run of Charlie Daniels resulting in the second goal), and the players were always looking to move the ball forward whenever possible.

…but so does a lack of real cutting edge at times.

Despite the pulsating first half, the second was bereft of truly great chances – with Cook’s volley that bounced wide the best chance created by either side. For the most part we huffed and puffed, but looked pretty toothless in the final third - in a fashion very similar to the second 45 minutes in our trip to Southampton a few weeks ago.

If this is simply a matter of fitness it must be put right, and fast. Especially considering how when we’re not attacking more pressure is put on the back four…

Defence is shaky beyond belief

Every time Swansea went near our box on Saturday we largely looked all at sea, with our defenders often chasing after the ball and leaving huge spaces for the opposition to run into. It was nerve-wracking to watch to say the very least, and such naivety will be punished much more in the coming fixtures if we’re not careful.

Squad players are stepping up

I mentioned in a recent post how King put in a promising display against Newcastle United, and built on that at the Liberty – causing problems and generally being a pest for the Swans back line. He tired after the 60 minute mark sadly – as he did against the Magpies – but if he can up his fitness levels to last the full ninety he could turn into a more than passable replacement for Callum Wilson.

It’s not just the large Norwegian that’s grasping his opportunity to impress either, with both Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas looking much improved from their generally mediocre displays from last season. The latter in particular seems to have realised this might be his last chance to cement a place in the squad, and is playing very much like that’s the case.

We are getting little luck

There’s only so many times I can type out ‘unlucky’ in these blog posts – but hey, once more won’t hurt. The two goals we conceded against Swansea could have easily gone the other way, with the first possibly offside and the second a very debatable penalty decision.

Hopefully we’ll get some luck against Everton at home next week, as we may certainly need it - with the toffees recent form against the lower placed sides in the table being formidable to say the very least.