For me the biggest dissapointment about yesterday's result was not the scoreline, because we were not outplayed by Bournmouth in the traditional way and the punishment came when we were down to 10. And Bournmouth were supurb attacking - speed, movement, vision, inventivness and ruthless finishing.
Yes. We were poor defensively. But I believe that even if were were tighter at the back and prevented their counters and goals we were still unlikely to score goals required to get 3 points required.
The key issue to me is our attacking play. It reminds me somewhat of Mourinho's approach, where ball retention and 'game management' takes precience over creativity, risk and directness.
After a good spell early inside the first 25 minutes yesterday, we had good possession and got into good areas but the next step was completely focussed on ball retention or working the ball into an 'area' where we can put in a good ball. This approach takes time and has lots of drawbacks because it has become predictable and requires a good ball and men in the box to get on the end of it. The alternative to not finding a posistion to score is to work the ball back across the back line. To 'retain' and 'recycle'. And build the approach of working the ball into the box again, for one more go at getting the right delivery in. In our case the ball is often 'recycled' slowly with Stephens at the pivot working the ball to the fullback, forward to another midfielder and we work it up field again. And this is all if we retain posession. This is our approach over and over and over again.
I wonder why. Well I perhaps would put it down to concerns about losing the ball in dangerous positions and being exposed on the counter attack. I fear that yesterday would have reinforced this issue in Hughton's mind. This ingrained belief in how teams with 'real quality' will 'hurt you'.
But what has been really sapped with this approach is the players' confidence. The self belief to play, express yourself and believe in the talent and achievements that got them to this club in the first place.
You have to look at Bournmouth's two electric wingers yesterday, Brooks and Fraser and wonder how they would improve our attacks. Sadly I fear they would be largely drawn into the style our own wingers are instructed to play, with the smallest briefs given to beat a man, pass and move. Can you imagine Solly March under Eddie Howe on the other hand?
Whatever the outcome of this season, it's our offensive opproach which needs to change next season. Is Hughton the man for the job? Maybe not, sadly. He has yet to show flexibility in his setup, making it all the more predictable.
As for Tuesday - just get the result, by hook or by crook.
Yes. We were poor defensively. But I believe that even if were were tighter at the back and prevented their counters and goals we were still unlikely to score goals required to get 3 points required.
The key issue to me is our attacking play. It reminds me somewhat of Mourinho's approach, where ball retention and 'game management' takes precience over creativity, risk and directness.
After a good spell early inside the first 25 minutes yesterday, we had good possession and got into good areas but the next step was completely focussed on ball retention or working the ball into an 'area' where we can put in a good ball. This approach takes time and has lots of drawbacks because it has become predictable and requires a good ball and men in the box to get on the end of it. The alternative to not finding a posistion to score is to work the ball back across the back line. To 'retain' and 'recycle'. And build the approach of working the ball into the box again, for one more go at getting the right delivery in. In our case the ball is often 'recycled' slowly with Stephens at the pivot working the ball to the fullback, forward to another midfielder and we work it up field again. And this is all if we retain posession. This is our approach over and over and over again.
I wonder why. Well I perhaps would put it down to concerns about losing the ball in dangerous positions and being exposed on the counter attack. I fear that yesterday would have reinforced this issue in Hughton's mind. This ingrained belief in how teams with 'real quality' will 'hurt you'.
But what has been really sapped with this approach is the players' confidence. The self belief to play, express yourself and believe in the talent and achievements that got them to this club in the first place.
You have to look at Bournmouth's two electric wingers yesterday, Brooks and Fraser and wonder how they would improve our attacks. Sadly I fear they would be largely drawn into the style our own wingers are instructed to play, with the smallest briefs given to beat a man, pass and move. Can you imagine Solly March under Eddie Howe on the other hand?
Whatever the outcome of this season, it's our offensive opproach which needs to change next season. Is Hughton the man for the job? Maybe not, sadly. He has yet to show flexibility in his setup, making it all the more predictable.
As for Tuesday - just get the result, by hook or by crook.
