3 things we clearly learnt about AFC Bournemouth after their 1-0 loss v Boreham Wood | OneFootball

With three divisions separating the two sides, the hosts at the Vitality Stadium were expected to progress through to the fifth round with relative ease but it was the visitors that dominated the early stages of the game.

They capitalised on this by taking the lead in the 38th minute through Mark Ricketts’ strike, putting a relatively strong Bournemouth side on the back foot going into the interval with the second-tier side already in a mixed spell of form before this humiliating defeat.

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And despite the introductions of some of their key first-teamers including Ryan Christie, Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke in the second 45, they were unable to turn around their fortunes with the fifth-tier side defending for their lives.

Many Bournemouth supporters will be angry following this shock result – and some may even be ruling out the possibility of a two-top finish after such a humiliation.

We had our own observation of this cup clash though as we discuss three things we clearly learnt about Scott Parker’s men following yesterday’s defeat.

The addition of Moore and Dembele are much-needed

Soccer Football – Championship – AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City – Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain – December 30, 2021 AFC Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly in action with Cardiff City’s Kieffer Moore Action Images/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Jamal Lowe looked reasonably isolated at times and this may be partly down to the fact he’s been more accustomed to being played with a forward partner.

He thrived alongside Andre Ayew last term and may have even got himself on the scoresheet had Parker starting with two up top – but limited options during the season has seen talisman Solanke often start on his own – and the Cherries are lucky that the former Liverpool man has thrived for most of the campaign thus far.

However, it does seem as though they will need to mix things up a bit if they want to get themselves back on track – and by playing two up top – they will provide themselves with the unpredictability and versatility needed to overcome teams and make opposition managers’ preparations a lot more difficult.

Playing two up front with Kieffer Moore doesn’t mean they need to play less attractive football – but it does give them another option and should help to provide service to the likes of Solanke and Lowe if one of the duo regularly line up alongside the Welshman.

As much attacking firepower as possible will be required in their quest to fend off Blackburn Rovers and others to secure a top-two finish – and their lack of cutting edge was exposed at times yesterday evening.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Aston Villa v Newcastle United – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – August 21, 2021 Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman , Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar argue with the referee David Coote after he gave a penalty to Aston Villa REUTERS/Rebecca Naden EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Both Freddie Woodman and Nat Phillips had quite shaky performances on their debuts – but perhaps that’s to be expected in a game they would have been expecting to win and with Parker’s style of play to contend with too.

Woodman’s sloppy pass nearly gave Luke Garrard’s side the opener – and Phillips was arguably lucky not to give a penalty away in the first half either – summing up an underwhelming display for both as they failed to make a good first impression on the home supporters at the Vitality.

It will now be the south-coast side’s manager to pick them up and more game time will only help as the loan duo look to settle in – but it remains to be seen whether either will retain their starting places.

Liverpool’s Phillips may have to operate in a back three if he wants to start regularly with Lloyd Kelly and Gary Cahill forming a formidable partnership earlier in the season, with Chris Mepham and fellow new signing James Hill also centre-back options at their disposal.

Newcastle’s Woodman, on the other hand, has less competition. However, Mark Travers has been excellent for large spells of the season and it would be a surprise to see him come out of the starting lineup for Wednesday evening’s game against Birmingham City.

Soccer Football – Championship – AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City – Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain – December 30, 2021 Cardiff City’s Leandro Bacuna fouls AFC Bournemouth’s Philip Billing before being shown a red card Action Images/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Although Billing was only on for just over half an hour, the Dane made more of an impact than many others did throughout the entire game.

He may not have managed to get himself on the scoresheet, but he was close to scoring with a header. That effort would have been ruled out for offside – but it still shows how dangerous he is in the box.

The midfielder was also presented with a glorious one-on-one chance before that, an opportunity he missed. But again, the build-up play and his run in behind were promising to get that chance in the first place.

Not only did he have his own moments – but he also played his part in helping to make the Cherries more dominant and this just reinforces the fact he will continue to be one of his side’s biggest attacking threats despite the arrival of Moore, Siriki Dembele and Todd Cantwell on deadline day last month.