How Bournemouth are better off WITHOUT Dominic Solanke’s goals – and why Andoni Iraola can take the credit, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH
- Bournemouth have scored more goals off the bench than anyone else this season
- Even after Solanke’s departure, they spread themselves nicely around the goals
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism is gone at Old Trafford
Just outside Pokesdown train station, the closest train station to Bournemouth’s Vitality ground, there is a small football memorabilia shop with a framed Dominic Solanke shirt in the window for passers-by to admire.
It is a reminder of the influence of the former Cherries striker, whose £65million move to Tottenham in the summer after scoring 19 goals in the Premier League last season would derail Andoni Iraola’s second season in charge.
But the way Iraola has managed to not only rebuild this team after Solanke’s departure, but actually improve it, is a testament to the Spaniard’s forward-thinking and coaching skills.
Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier were the most used attackers behind Solanke last season and the three of them scored 18 goals. Halfway through this season, these three have already scored twelve goals.
Evanilson, Solanke’s £40m replacement, has five himself and impressed against Everton, but crucially the goals no longer come from just one man.
Iraola has instilled confidence in this side, which is reflected in the way Bournemouth top the table for most goals scored by substitutes in the Premier League this season.
Bournemouth finished better despite losing last season’s 21-goal man Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth, who rose to seventh after beating Everton 1-0, found another late goal and conceded more goals from substitutes than any team in the Premier League
Andoni Iraola deserves credit for instilling confidence in his side pushing for Europe
Their front line is a sight to behold and they spread out the goals nicely
David Brooks was the one who did this against Everton on Saturday with a sublime volley that left Jordan Pickford, who played an excellent game, none the wiser.
“That finish is the definition of clinical from David,” Iraola said. ‘Everyone in the club trusts David. I think he’s started two games in the last month. He has come off the bench in all other games, so he has played more minutes recently because we have been struggling with injuries. [to Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra] in his position.’
And he added: ‘Everyone fights for minutes and it’s good for the team.’
Apart from the one-goal score, Bournemouth’s overall superiority in front of goal compared to Everton was striking. The home side had eight shots on target while Sean Dyche’s side failed to threaten Mark Travers’ net at all and the Toffees have now failed to score in 11 games at the top level in the league this season to stand.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin extended his goal streak to fifteen games and there is a feeling that something has to happen soon if Everton are to avoid a late relegation.