AFC Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil expressed his disappointment in his side’s defensive errors which ultimately lead to their 4-2 loss to Championship side Burnley at the Vitality Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil expressed his disappointment in his side’s defensive errors which ultimately lead to their 4-2 loss to Championship side Burnley at the Vitality Stadium.
This came after three of Burnley’s goals being a result of individual mistakes from the home side, the first being from stand-in captain Adam Smith. The Cherries’ manager did not hesitate to show his displeasure in which the manner of his team’s goals were conceded.
“The three huge errors for the goals made it impossible to win the football match”, O’Neil exclaimed. “You give away three ridiculous goals, then you have no
chance.”
The four that were scored by The Clarets today meant that Bournemouth have now conceded 12 in their last five matches, all of which have resulted in a loss.
The first error came only six minutes into the match, Manuel Benson calmly slotting the ball past Mark Travers after Johann Berg Gudmundsson intercepted a loose
ball from Smith.
The second mistake from the home side occurred six minutes before half time, the ever-present Lewis Cook squandering possession to Ashley Barnes, who provided
a through ball to Josh Brownhill. This left World Cup semi-finalist Anass Zaroury in front of an open goal, having no trouble netting his side’s second of the game.
O’Neil felt the lapse in concentration was archetypal of today’s performance, stating that it “was the story of the game”. The "basic errors’" proved "surprising" for the Cherries' boss, who, up until this match, had not "seen loads" of the blunders that resulted in a third round FA Cup exit for the Dorset side.
The manners in which the goals were conceded were made even more frustrating when coupled with Bournemouth’s dangerous attacking play. With 11 shots throughout the game, six being on target, the result may have ended differently had the home side been more solid defensively.
The third mistake came 12 minutes into the second half, Lloyd Kelly playing the ball to Ryan Christie, who headed it into Barnes’ path. The Burnley centre-forward was again at the centre of play, playing a through ball into Benson, who netted his second of the match.
This error proved too frustrating for the home fans, who began a series of boos
directed towards the faltering players. O’Neil, however, was quick to defend Kelly’s role in the hosts’ gaffe, alluding to his recent return following an ankle injury.
“Lloyd hasn’t been fit with me or this group very long”, the Bournemouth manager stated.
The match ended 4-2 to the visitors, the individual mistakes ultimately proving costly. O’Neil continued to bemoan the incidents, which he believed reflected a "real
disappointing day" for his team. “Don’t give the ball away in front of your goal”, was the clear message from the young manager.
This FA Cup loss marks Bournemouth’s fifth defeat on the bounce, sparking fears of relegation for the South Coast side. O’Neil, needing no reminder of the Cherries’ troubling form, stated: “We need to mprove and we need to improve quick.”
Despite this, the Bournemouth gaffer remained calm.
“There is an understanding of where we are and where we need to get to,” he added.
The Cherries, however, will have to wait before they turn their fortunes around, their next match being away at Brentford on January 14th.
As for Burnley, who have now won 11 matches in 13, their Vincent Kompany fairytale continues…