An analysis of the average positions map from Saturday’s game at the Vitality Stadium, as Bournemouth edged out a 1-0 win.
It was another poor performance from Carlos Carvalhal’s Swansea City side, as the Swans boss stuck with his back 5 system that has come under criticism in recent weeks from fans.
Both teams adopted the same formation, with a back 3 and 2 central midfielders, but as you can see below, the average shapes of both are quite different.
Bournemouth, on the left in red, are very compact and well balanced across the pitch.
In contrast, the Swans, in blue, lacked attacking width. It only came from the wing-backs and as you can see, the rest of the team was very narrow and central, meaning supporting the attacking wing-backs pair of Olsson and Roberts was difficult.
Bournemouth’s shape looks like a 3-1-3-2-1, with 1 deep lying midfielder, 3 in front (2 of which the wing-backs) and 2 wide attackers playing behind the lone striker Callum Wilson.
Swansea’s shape is a 3-4-1-2, with Ki and Carroll occupying the same position in the middle, but as predicted prior to kick-off, we struggled in midfield as neither offered defensive cover.
Andre Ayew operated as a central attacker behind Dyer and Jordan Ayew, who played wider on the left than usual.
We were crying out for a system change during the second half. It was all too narrow, the wing-backs weren’t supported and we were losing the midfield battle.
A switch to a back 4 came too late. King replaced van Der Hoorn and Abraham came on for Nathan Dyer. Our final sub saw Ki make way for Narsingh but the subs never really made an impact as Bournemouth’s lead never looked under threat.
I felt that we ended the game personnel-wise with how we should have started it. Abraham playing through the middle with the two Ayew brothers with side, and a midfield trio behind them. It would add better width and support for the full backs as well as better defensive cover in midfield.
Will Carvalhal be braver on Tuesday night for the huge game against Southampton? Let’s hope so, he simply has to, but I’m not convinced he will.
