Bournemouth vs Brentford preview

The Premier League is back after the international break and Nerve Sport is also back to bring you all the latest AFC Bournemouth news. First up we have a preview of this weekend's Premier League game between the Cherries and Brentford. Saturday's 3pm kick-off at Vitality Stadium will be the first time Bournemouth and Brentford have played each other in the Premier League and it is the first time the two sides have met since the playoff semi-finals in May 2021.

Under their interim head coach, Gary O’Neil, the Cherries have managed to steady the ship with two draws and a win after three heavy defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. 

First, O’Neil oversaw the 0-0 draw with Wolves, before an impressive 3-2 comeback win against Nottingham Forest. And last time out Bournemouth earned a draw at St James’ Park against former Cherries boss Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, with the club now 12th in the table on eight points.

Brentford have had a somewhat mixed start to the season as well. A huge 4-0 victory over Manchester United early in the campaign was followed up by a 3-2 defeat away to Fulham. More recently Brentofrd stunned Leeds 5-2 at home but were unable to keep Arsenal at bay last time out, losing 3-0 to the Premier League leaders.

Since then, O’Neil has had the opportunity to work with his squad during the international break but admitted the last two weeks had been “tricky” when addressing the media ahead of this weekend’s game.

“The last two weeks have been tricky because there is loads you want to do, but loads of the boys have been away with international teams,” admitted the interim head coach.

“So some of the work, you can’t get done until they arrive back, but we have got loads of good stuff done.

“I am really really pleased with where the squad are and as I’ve said I am really looking forward to it [Brentford].”

Bournemouth survived the international break without picking up any further injuries but several players still remain sidelined - including captain Lloyd Kelly - who O’Neil described as a “huge” player for the team.

“The boys that are on their way back are doing really well. Ben Pearson and Joe Rothwell are getting real close, Ryan Fredericks has made big improvements, but Lloyd Kelly won't be available yet,” revealed O’Neil.

“I'm delighted with where the whole group are as a whole but missing Lloyd Kelly is obviously a massive blow, he is huge for us.”

Cherries defensive decisions

Kelly missed the 1-1 draw with Newcastle and his absence means the team will have to field one of their two new recruits at centre back. Marcos Senesi joined the club from Feyenoord but the Argentinian international has had somewhat of a mixed start to the campaign. Thrust in for his full debut against Arsenal, the defender was hooked at half time as the Cherries trailed 2-0. 

The 25-year-old then played the full 90 minutes in the 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool before being dropped to the bench in O’Neil’s first two games in charge against Wolves and Forest. 

Kelly’s injury did see Senesi recalled to the starting line up, however, and O’Neil was pleased with how the defender performed and will be looking for another professional performance come three o’clock on Saturday.

“As you saw at Newcastle, they boys that come in in the back line and the team spirit in front of that back line was massive for us - we will be looking to be solid and resolute again,” added O'Neil.

Another option for the interim boss would be to field Southampton loanee Jack Stephens, but the defender’s lack of game time this season is likely to come into play. The 28-year-old played 90 minutes for Shaun Cooper’s under 23 side in the Premier League Cup win against Derby last Friday, but will likely start from the bench as he builds up to full match fitness. 

Senesi will therefore be the most likely candidate to partner Chris Mepham in Kelly’s absence and deal with the threats posed by Brentford.

What threats will Brentford pose?

The Bees have been a high scoring side this campaign, with only City, Arsenal and Tottenham registering more goals than Thomas Frank’s side. However, despite their high scoring form this season, they have failed to win a game away from home. If O’Neil can nullify their attacking threats, then the interim head coach could well register his first three points at the Vitality this weekend.

One of those threats is likely to be Ivan Toney, whose recent form saw him called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the first time - although the striker was unable to receive his first cap as Southgate chose not to use the 26-year-old.

Toney has scored a third of Brentofrd’s goals this season, finding the net on five occasions with O’Neil praising the forward’s start to the campaign but recognises the striker is not the only threat his team will face.

“He has had a fantastic start to the season, scored some real good goals and been a big part of what they did last season, so he is a good player for sure, '' he said of the England striker.

“[There are] not too many number nines like him around that centre backs come up against as they are used to, so it will be a test for us. 

“But they carry a lot of threats Brentford - they are a good side -  not just Ivan Toney so we need to be ready.”

Brentford are typically a team that uses attacking set pieces to their advantage and scored 40% of their goals from set plays last season, which is something O’Neil will have looked at whilst preparing for this game.

Although unwilling to give too much away during his pre match media duties, O’Neil did point out that Brentford like to use set pieces and be physical.

“I’m not going to discuss what we have worked on, but Brentford are a threat from set plays, they are a physical side,” he continued.

“They look to gain set plays and look like they do a lot of work on them. They are well organised and of course, like every game, I look at every team's threats and how I feel like they will look to hurt us and what we can do about it.”

Attack is key to victory for Cherries

In terms of how Bournemouth can look to inflict damage on Brentford, the need to attack will be key. Brentford have only kept one clean sheet so far this season and have looked vulnerable away from home.

Philip Billing’s rejuvenated form will be an area O’Neil can look to with the Danish midfielder scoring twice in O’Neil’s three games in charge - receiving a nomination for the Premier League’s player of the month award in the process.

O’Neil has moved the midfielder back into a more advanced position and it has paid off and the interim boss made it clear how important the 26-year-old is to his plans.

“He’s been great, as you can see he is extremely talented, he is a good lad. I judge him on what i have asked him to give in the last three games and what he has given and he has given absolutely everything,” he explained

“He has been fantastic for me and looking forward to seeing more of the same on Saturday.

“He is technically talented, has physical attributes and he is really important for us whether that is as an eight or a ten he is a big part of what we do.”

Another attacking option for O’Neil is that of Ryan Christie. The Scot has yet to get an assist or goal for the Cherries this season but comes back from the international break on a high after helping Scotland gain promotion in the Nations League.

The attacking midfielder was a key player for Scotland as they beat the Republic of Ireland, grabbing an assist and a goal, and when asked about the Scot bringing that form back to Vitality, O’Neil was quick to point out how much the 26-year-old offers the team outside of being a goal threat.

“Yeah, you always want players to score goals of course. Ryan gives us much more than that as well - his endeavour and his work rate is quality,” he explained.

“In tight areas he finds the right pass so he brings loads to the group. I’m really pleased with him, obviously he had a busy international break with three games, started two and came off the bench in one. So yeah, similar to the others, really pleased with where he is, pleased with how he has done so far since I've been doing it [the head coach role].”

Of course, Dominic Solanke leading the line will be as important to success in front of goal this weekend and creativity provided by new signing Marcus Tavernier will complement Billing and Christie well - should O’Neil stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation he adopted against Newcastle.