A lack of goals can be named as one of the reasons for poor seasons for both Bournemouth and Callum Wilson. The Cherries have registered just 20 in 22 Premier League games, with Wilson scoring just five of those; creativity is a huge problem for Eddie Howe’s side.
Bournemouth Do Not Create Enough For Callum Wilson
Style Of Play Is Not Working
Bournemouth, for the majority of their time in the Premier League, have tried to play attacking football. Eddie Howe has looked to get his side moving the ball quickly, transitioning the ball through every third of the pitch. They, at times, have played without fear.
However, it is fearful play that could perhaps summarise their season. Their last two Premier League wins have come by a single goal, albeit they were against Chelsea and Manchester United.
Arguably, the fear has come with a slight tweak in style. Bournemouth’s flat 4-4-2 restricts them when trying to get in behind the opposition midfield and into space. It sets them up in a defensive-minded attitude and when they are trying to play creative attacking football, that is not going to work. As a result, connectivity is lost in the midfield and forces one of Howe’s strikers to drop deeper or force the play out wide.
However, even the wingers are not performing this season. Ryan Fraser has failed to replicate last season’s tally of 14 assists, registering a measly three so far this season. His counterpart on the opposite flank, Harry Wilson, has not assisted a goal for the Cherries this season but does have six goals to his name.
As a result, it has culminated in a dreary attacking season at the Vitality Stadium. In Bournemouth’s back-to-back wins against Everton and Southampton, they created 29 dangerous attacks in each game. According to Pete Rutzler of The Athletic, they sit in 17th for expected goals, averaging a tally of just above a goal a game.
Bournemouth Need to Play to the Strengths of Callum Wilson
The 2018-19 season saw Bournemouth and Callum Wilson registering their best seasons in terms of goals. The 27-year-old scored 14 of Bournemouth’s 56 Premier League goals.
They need to make a return to playing to Wilson’s strengths. Despite being a well-rounded striker, with a poignant poachers instinct, he is at his best in the box.
So far this season, that is where all five of his Premier League goals have come from. However, he has not scored a goal since Saturday 28 September, where he fired into the bottom corner against West Ham.
Excluding Wilson’s five goals, Bournemouth’s 15 goals from 22 games looks demoralising. When you consider that nine of their goals have come from set-pieces, a measly six goals hints at what Eddie Howe needs to do.
The Cherries need to find Wilson quicker, as well as getting the ball into the box quicker. However, when you are struggling for goals and looking fearful in attack, that is difficult to do.
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