The first match between newly promoted AFC Bournemouth and middle-runners, West Ham, in 25 years also saw Eddie Howe’s south coast side snatch their initial Premier League victory. Sealing three points in a tantalising, edge-of-your-seat fixture at the Boleyn Ground, The Cherries conformed to a wickedly relentless pattern in order to offer both excitement for those witnessing the game, and a few points to finally make a splash on the league table.
A few major factors in Bournemouth’s performance stood out for me; tenacity, courage, formation and a wholesome slice of humble pie were the pivotal characteristics displayed by the team during yesterday’s match. It was the formation element that I would flag up as one of the key winning ingredients for Bournemouth, though; a select few players were dogged, and really ran riot against West Ham. This is what Bournemouth must retain in order to keep pressing forward in the division, and, thus, what Eddie Howe must channel week-upon-week.
Have Bournemouth concocted the right formula?
Facing West Ham was the ideal opportunity for Bournemouth to bag a few points and enter league table territory, casting aside the default generic rankings as positioned by the fortunes or misdemeanours of other teams. The trouble with new squads climbing up from lower leagues is that they either immerse themselves into hot water immediately, fumbling for the ball and making shoddy errors, or, alternatively, they charge forth virtually carefree. The latter is what I was anticipating from Bournemouth this season, and that assumption emerged a reality.
During the first half, West Ham’s defence was sloppy, leaving margins for Bournemouth to sneak through any and every gap. Further still, throughout the match, The Hammers were blessed with a rather determined goalkeeper, Darren Randolph, who managed to punch away all sorts of threats; had he been a tad less vigilant, Bournemouth might have grabbed a few more than the four goals to three.
Callum Wilson finally made his mark in the Premier League; Wilson is a man with so many key attributes in the attacking realms, so he is certainly a player I knew would make waves. Three of The Cherries’ four goals were scored by Wilson, meaning that Bournemouth’s paramount chess piece bagged a hat-trick. Even without the assistance of other teammates, Wilson is the wildcard that Bournemouth will have to nurture in order to make further ripples in future games.
It wasn’t a one-man band, though; five players among the Bournemouth line-up presented themselves as essential cogs on the field. The first of this group was Simon Francis; the right-back waering the number two was the chap to offer Wilson the assist for his first goal of the game, and continued to pump blood through the team for the remainder of the 90 minutes. Solid in both defence and the upper midfield region, Francis will most probably be another to rekindle some flair among Howe’s men in upcoming fixtures. The ability to give great assists to team members upfront, as well as getting back to mop up any potential issues in the defensive band, is extremely necessary, especially within a team with a point to hammer (pardon the pun) across.
The 28th minute saw Wilson swoop a ball into the back of the net again, outlining a fault, once more, of Aaron Cresswell. Defensively, West Ham were far less on form due to this man, but Bournemouth were manipulating Cresswell’s lack of prowess for the greater Cherries good. At this stage, I deem it relevant to earmark, yet again, that, once given the chance, Wilson will absolutely soar in the opposing box, and can undeniably march away with a string of goals.
Andrew Surman and Joshua King were also among the other dominant players for Bournemouth. Despite taking a seat later in the game, King was focused and gritty throughout, taking shots and aiding Wilson in his endeavours. Surman was much the same, but made more of himself in the second half. This second set of 45 saw Bournemouth look a bit shakier, too; although, which team wouldn’t, after their opposition just netted a few to counter their progress? Eddie Howe even stated himself that there was a distinct lack of discipline at that stage, but, I would argue that his men were still very much on the ball.
Josh King relinquished his spot on the pitch in favour of Marc Pugh, who later added to the glorious tally of Bournemouth goals. So, it’s worth stating that Wilson might not necessarily carry his team this season, as there are alternatives, but he is most probably set to be the one to bring the majority of the firepower.
Max Gradel was the final of the five aforementioned top players on the Boleyn Ground pitch yesterday. This man almost bagged another for his side, but contributed in many ways to the energy on the field. The Cherries were remarkably firm and persistent, and it was largely thanks to Surman, King, Pugh and Gradel; it wasn’t until these fellows had touched the ball that Wilson was able to unleash his skills in the box. Combining forces is paramount within matches, and, despite West Ham’s clear talent during the game, it was Bournemouth who grabbed my attention that bit more, and, therefore, Bournemouth, who had their tactics right.
The goals from West Ham, I’d argue, were clearly through their desire to score, rather than Bournemouth’s bad defence. Indeed, things became a bit crowded in both boxes at many a time, but Bournemouth’s formula was on the money more often than not. Granted, two penalties were also awarded, to either side, respectively, showing how tenacious Bournemouth were to gain total possession, but this did bite back in their favour, to see Wilson plot his third, and the team’s fourth.
To summarise, the lesson that Bournemouth gave against West Ham was one of underdogs ruling. Their lack of arrogance, despite obvious tenacity, was very encouraging; this sort of character is rare among teams in the top flight, simply because most have been enjoying the upper ranks for so long, that they’re used to exaggerating confidence and bragging rights. The humble nature of the team was possibly the winning edge Bournemouth pertained, along with their growing calibre of player.
Main image:
