On Saturday 5th August, Bournemouth took the victory against visitors Lorient in a pre-season friendly. The home side scored a goal in each half, resulting in a comfortable 2-0 win. Regardless, there were many points to consider for new manager Andoni Iraola, just a week ahead of his first Premier League match.
Bournemouth 2-0 Lorient
The scoring began in the 37th minute after a long ball, from goalkeeper Neto, found Dango Ouatarra in the final third, ahead of every defender bar one. A low cross found David Brooks open on the right-hand side of the box, who slotted the ball home into the far corner. The second half was dominated by the Cherries, but they failed to increase their lead until the 85th minute. After numerous failed corners, Bournemouth decided to go short. Marcos Senesi received the ball at the corner of the box, and floated a cross towards a rising Kieffer Moore who nodded the ball home for an easy 2-0 win.
The Talking Points
Jaidon Anthony: The New Right-Back?
When the team sheet was released, fans were confused as their new manager had selected a left-back and two centre-backs - but no right-back. Adam Smith, the club's longest-serving active player and their starting right-back for the past season, was not included in the matchday squad. However, it soon became apparent that 23 year-old winger Jaidon Anthony was the make-shift right-back.
Anthony provided a pleasant surprise for the Dean Court faithful, as their temporary right-back was not afraid to get stuck in. He managed 3 tackles in the first half, including crucially winning the ball inside his own box - preventing a goal-scoring opportunity for the French outfit. Because of his attacking nature, Anthony also provided a great option on the front foot. The Englishman made great progressive carries and provided a helpful overlapping option for his right winger (David Brooks). Of course, this was to be expected by a natural winger, but the attacking threat at right-back provided by Anthony may mean he is favoured over Smith - who is often too slow on the attack.
In fact, Tom Crocker (of the Daily Echo) revealed after the game that Iraola expects Smith to miss the start of the season with an injury. With Jack Stacey moving to Norwich on a free transfer earlier in the window, and Ryan Fredericks out with an injury since March, the Cherries are left with no available right-backs. Jaidon Anthony will therefore likely feature against West Ham next weekend at full-back, and if he continues to impress defensively as well as offensively, he may stay in his new position whilst the recruitment team find a new, permanant right-back.
A Change in Style?
Bournemouth fans have been through multiple managers in the last 12 months, and the newest one (Andoni Iraola) brings another new style of football with him.
During their promotion campaign, and the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season, Bournemouth had former Fulham manager Scott Parker at the helm. The well-dressed coach offered a possession-based style, with a slow build-up that frustrated the fans. Fulham fans even taunted the Cherries during their Championship clashes, singing: "Pass it back, pass it back, Scotty Parker". Parker was eventually sacked following a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool, and many Bournemouth fans felt relieved that they may finally have more exciting football at the Vitality Stadium.
Gary O'Neil took charge for the rest of the season, but the head coach lacked any previous managerial experience and therefore also lacked any philosophy or tactical style. Whilst O'Neil was thrown in mid-season, his football was not attractive nor inspiring, and the Bournemouth fans will be pleased with an exciting manager that has their own play-style.
So what style of football does Iraola play? This pre-season, the Lorient game included, a high press has been implemented constantly. The forwards have been instructed to chase down opposition goalkeepers and defenders as they attempt to pass the ball around their own half. Within the first minute, Moore had won the ball inside the Lorient penalty area, forcing the goalkeeper into a great save. Not only does this press potentially win Bournemouth possession in dangerous areas, as they did against Lorient on numerous occasions, but it also disrupts opposition build-up play and forces them into rushed attacks. As a bottom-half side, Bournemouth are often without possession for large spells of the game, and a high press is an effective way to win back possession and prevent being dominated. The obvious downside is the negative effect on stamina; the players are seemingly running out of steam this pre-season, in the last quarter of games. Training fitness will be essential to this style being effective.
The other significant difference in Iraola's play style is the willingness of players to take shots at any opportunity. Bournemouth had 7 shots from outside the box, with a curler from Hamed Traore in the second half forcing an impressive save from the Lorient goalkeeper. This should bolster Bournemouth's chances of scoring, as last season they shied away from shooting and often passed the ball too much in the final third - leaving fans frustrated and the back of the net undisturbed.
A Defensive Midfielder Still Missing
With under a week to go before Bournemouth's first Premier League match against West Ham, they are still without a Jefferson Lerma replacement. The effects of having no defensive midfielder were still apparent, with Lorient's Romain Faivre (on loan from Bournemouth) easily moving through the centre into dangerous areas with the ball. This will not go unpunished in the Premier League in the coming weeks.
Bournemouth fans are desperate for a new defensive midfielder, but their man may already be on their books. After Senesi was substituted on for the end of the match, he played in a defensive midfield role. Senesi is a confident defender with his feet, playing good passes and even dribbling upfield confidently with the ball at his feet - making him an ideal makeshift midfielder. The Argentinian coped with the role relatively well, even crossing a superb ball to Kieffer Moore, assisting him for Bournemouth's second. As it looks unlikely that the Cherries will secure a new defensive midfielder before their opening game on Saturday, Senesi may fill in, with Chris Mepham and Ilia Zabaryni as the centre-back pairing.
However, it would be unlikely that Senesi permanently plays in midfield, as the 25 year-old is Bournemouth's best defender. They will certainly still have to find their Lerma replacement before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
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