Premier League Match Thread: Bournemouth Vs Nottingham Forest, sponsored by the Halloween Boogeyman

Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII

Vital Football Legend
It's our first League game under Dyche, and it could not be a worse one. The only team in the Premier League we have not yet beaten (apart from Sunderland) and our bogey team for 20 years.

The table looks horrible, with Burnley having an easy away game at Wolves today and a gap appearing to safety. We haven't been marooned in the relegation zone like this for a long time, and it feels shit.

And then why hope I had of a good first League result left me when I saw who they had appointed as referee.

So let's deal with that first and let ChatGTP do the rest.



1) Who's the ****** in the black?​


  • Referee: Sam Barrott (appointed for Matchweek 9).
  • VAR: Matt Donohue (VAR).

Chat GTP said this was Attwell, but thankfully not

We have a good record under Barrott, winning our last three and only losing once under him


2) Iraola’s style of play (what to expect)​

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Short version: high-intensity, organised pressing, vertical attacking patterns and quick transitions — built on athleticism, structured wing play and quick forwards getting in behind.

Key traits to expect:

  • Aggressive high press / proactive defending. Iraola’s teams press in structured waves to regain possession high and create overloads; he prefers to get opponents turned and force mistakes in transitional moments. (Guardian profiles and season analysis emphasise his pressing/compact approach.)
  • Vertical, direct combinations once progressed. When possession is won high, Bournemouth look to move forward quickly — driving diagonal passes into the channels and through balls behind fullbacks. They do not build slowly from the back for long periods; instead they push into final third quickly when an opening appears.
  • Wide overloads and full-back involvement. Fullbacks (and inverted or overlapping wide midfielders) are important to stretch the pitch. That creates crossing opportunities and cutbacks into runners (and also opens space for inside forwards to get shots).
  • Set piece competence. Bournemouth have been efficient on set pieces over recent seasons; they score a non-trivial share of goals from dead-balls (planning, movement and delivery are well rehearsed). Analysts have flagged their set-piece threat vs top sides.

Implication for Forest: keep possession in safe areas, avoid isolated defenders 1v1 vs their forwards when Bournemouth counter, and be alert to second balls from long clearances and set-pieces.



3) Where Bournemouth’s goals tend to come from​


Based on season patterns and match reports (and xG / shot portfolios):


  • Open-play wide play / crosses into the box — many goals arrive from overloads on the flanks and accurate delivery to late runners.
  • Counter-attacks / transitional moments — they press high and when they win the ball they can get numbers quickly forward, producing high-quality chances from rapid switches.
  • Set pieces (corners, free kicks): a notable portion of their goals are from set play situations — they study opponents and work routines that create space for headers/near-post flicks.
  • Shots from inside the box (high-value chances) — Iraola’s systems create central overloads where strikers or inside forwards finish clinically when the patterns click (see the 5–0 Forest game where several finishes were from inside the box / headers).

Tactical takeaway for Forest: defend crosses aggressively (especially early second-phase headers), avoid committing numbers too late on counters, and track runners from deep on set pieces.



4) Preferred formation(s)​

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  • Default shape: 4–2–3–1 / 4–3–3 hybrid. Iraola tends to use a back four with energetic midfielders and wide forwards; the exact shape shifts in-game to 4–3-3 or 4–2-3-1 depending on the opponent. The system gives width and the ability to press in midfield triangles.

How it typically looks:


  • Two central midfielders providing cover and press triggers (one of those often steps to break lines).
  • Two wide attackers who either hug the touchline or invert into half-spaces depending on the opponent.
  • Fullbacks who can overlap to create 2v1s on the flank.


5) Bournemouth home form over the last year​

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  • 2024–25 Premier League season (home): Bournemouth’s home record in 2024–25 was stronger than away — official season splits show a good points return at the Vitality (examples: an 8-4-7 home record for 24/25 as a full-season figure).
  • This season (2025/26 to date): early season home form has been very positive — the current season home record before today shows 3 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses (i.e. solid and confident at Vitality so far). (Official club / PL stats reflect an unbeaten home start this season.)

Practical interpretation: Vitality is a difficult place to score at for visitors (crowd intensity, compact ground). Forest should plan for a hostile, high-tempo atmosphere and not expect a straightforward away point.



6) Overall strengths and weaknesses (and the problems they pose to Forest)​


Strengths

  1. Pressing + transitions. They force turnovers high and turn those into high-quality transitions. That’s especially dangerous if Forest give the ball away in midfield.
  2. Wide play + delivery. Consistent supply from wide areas and full-back involvement produces good crossing and cut-back chances.
  3. Set-piece organisation. Expect rehearsed routines and physical aerial threat.
  4. Multiple goal threats. They have several forwards who can score (not a one-man show): goals can come from wingers, inside forwards or target players.

Weaknesses

  1. Reliance on pressing shape — vulnerability if bypassed. If Forest can circulate the ball calmly, bypass the press with vertical pivots or quick long switches, Bournemouth can be left short and exposed behind their fullbacks.
  2. Susceptible in numbers if pressed back. When opponents absorb pressure and counter with overloads, Bournemouth can be punished on the break. (Forest should aim to draw press and then counter quickly.)
  3. Defensive set-up occasionally stretched vs deep crossfields. If Forest can reach the second phase (recycled crosses / clearances) they can get chances against Bournemouth’s aggressive centre-backs.

Problems Bournemouth will pose to Forest

  • Turnovers in midfield → quick forwards in behind. Forest must avoid sloppy passes in the middle third.
  • Quality of delivery from wide areas + set pieces. If Forest fail to mark tightly on set plays or allow time in the box, goals can come fast.
  • High intensity for 90 minutes — physical demand. Dyche’s side should be ready for a very physical, high-tempo battle; lapses in concentration will be punished.


7) Head-to-head (Forest perspective) — last 5 years (concise timeline)​


From Forest’s perspective, the recent five-year H2H (selected fixtures and results of note — all in competitive PL games 2020–2025):

  • 25 Jan 2025: Bournemouth 5–0 Nottingham Forest — big home win for Bournemouth (Ouattara hat-trick). (Major warning: Bournemouth can blow Forest away on a good day.)
  • 17 Aug 2024: Nottingham Forest 1–1 Bournemouth — early season draw (Semenyo equaliser for Bournemouth).
  • 4 Feb 2024: Bournemouth 1–1 Nottingham Forest — draw at Vitality (Callum Hudson-Odoi scored for Forest).
  • 23 Dec 2023: Nottingham Forest 2–3 Bournemouth — Bournemouth late winner, Solanke hat-trick (Dec 2023).
  • 21 Jan 2023: Bournemouth 1–1 Nottingham Forest — another draw in the series.
Summary from Forest POV: over the last few seasons Bournemouth have generally had the upper hand at Vitality — they’ve won several times, have collected convincing wins (including the 5–0 in Jan 2025) while many matches have been tight draws. Forest should treat Bournemouth with respect: results indicate Bournemouth consistently cause problems.


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8) How Sean Dyche will likely set Forest up to win this game​


Dyche’s likely approach (based on his known preferences, recent press and the club’s tactical briefings):

  • Base formation: 4–4–2 or 4–4–1–1 — compact, narrow, with two banks of four and quick, direct transitions to the front pair. He’ll aim to deny Bournemouth the central space and force them wide.
  • Key focus areas:
    • Defensive compactness: deny the half-spaces and stop Bournemouth’s midfield triangles from turning possession into penetration. Keep midfield narrow to limit through passes to the forwards.
    • Exploit the channels on transition: when Bournemouth press high, Forest can use quick vertical passes to release the striker(s) in behind or to get 2v1s on the flank vs an over-committed fullback.
    • Set-piece planning: attempt to disrupt Bournemouth’s set-piece routines and win second balls; Forest should mark tightly (man + zonal hybrid) and attack their own set pieces aggressively.
    • Target wide defenders: isolate Bournemouth’s fullbacks with quick switches and overloaded wide runs — if you can pin back their fullbacks, you reduce crossing quality and create space for your own wingers.

Practical on-pitch instructions Dyche might give:


  • Play disciplined, don't chase individual press traps; pass out of the back calmly and use the midfield pivot to bypass the first press.
  • Stay defensively compact for 60–70 minutes, strike on counters and set plays.
  • Keep discipline on fouls near penalty areas (Don’t give away cheap set-piece chances).

Why this should work: Bournemouth’s strengths (press, wing delivery and speed in transition) can be neutralised by a compact block and intelligent counters — exactly Dyche’s historical sweet spot.


(Reference & tactical preview: analysis of Dyche’s early instructions for Forest and his preference for 4–4–2 / direct defensive organisation.)



9) Short portraits — 15 key, fit Bournemouth players (by position; appearances & goals this season from official squad listing)​

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Forwards / Strikers​


  1. Antoine Semenyo (F) — 8 apps / 6 goals. Powerful, good at running behind and finishing from inside the box; strong in aerial duels. (Main goal threat, direct runs behind defence.)
  2. Evanilson (F) — 7 apps / 0 goals. Mobile forward who links play; threat lies in pressing and movement rather than pure finishing so far this season. Useful as a plan-B striker.
  3. Justin Kluivert (F / W) — 7 apps / 1 goal. Quick and adept in 1v1s on the wing, good at creating chances and stretching a defence; less of a consistent goalscorer, more of a chance-creator.
  4. Eli Kroupi (F) — 5 apps / 3 goals. Young, sharp attacking forward — has had a strong start in limited minutes and looks capable of quick-fire finishes and movement in the box. Emerging impact sub.

Attacking midfield / Wide attackers (attacking mids)​


  1. Marcus Tavernier (M / AM) — 8 apps / 1 goal. Energetic, good at arriving late into the box; contributes defensively and offensively in transitions.
  2. Alex Scott (M) — 8 apps / 1 goal. Creative midfielder with good tempo control and link play; helps connect midfield to forwards and provides pressing triggers.
  3. David Brooks (M / AM) — 7 apps / 1 goal. Technique and ball progression; provides vision in the final third and can pull defenders out of position.
  4. Ryan Christie (M / AM) — 6 apps / 1 goal. Good arrival from wide or central zones; set-piece threat and shooter from distance.
  5. Amine Adli (F / W) — 6 apps / 0 goals. Intelligent dribbler and creator; tends to operate in half spaces and is useful for unlocking compact defences.

Central / Defensive midfielders​


  1. Tyler Adams (M / CM) — 8 apps / 0 goals. Energetic box-to-box midfielder, defensively disciplined, excellent at breaking lines and pressing; his positioning helps shield the back four and start counters.

Defenders​


  1. Adrien Truffert (D / LB) — 8 apps / 0 goals. Athletic left-back; offers width and overlapping runs. Good in duels and delivery from the left.
  2. Marcos Senesi (D / CB) — 8 apps / 0 goals. Experienced central defender; good at reading the game, strong aerially, and aggressive in duels. Key for defensive organisation.
  3. James Hill (D / CB) — 7 apps / 0 goals. Youngish, physical centre-back used in rotation; good in one-on-ones and contributes to set-piece defence.
  4. Bafodé Diakité (D / RB/CB) — 7 apps / 0 goals. Versatile defender; can play right or centrally, useful in matchups requiring athleticism.

Goalkeeper​


  1. Djordje Petrovic (GK) — 8 apps / (clean sheets / saves as per detailed stats). Main keeper this season — tall, commanding in the box and good with crosses; important for organizing defence and collecting set piece delivery.


11) Practical match plan for Forest (bullet points)​


  • Game opening: be patient, don't chase the press in the opening 10–15 minutes — invite the press, then use sideways/longer passes to break it.
  • Protect the wide zones: double up on their wide forwards/fullbacks (force the game central).
  • Win the midfield second balls: they're active at transitions — whoever wins the 50/50s will control tempo.
  • Set pieces: be super organised — Bournemouth score from these; attack their set pieces with intent.
  • Discipline vs the officials: avoid theatrical appeals or social-media outbursts — the club’s past penalties show the FA takes public attacks seriously. Stay formal if you have grievances.

 
Nervous but nervous about this one. Hate playing against Bournemouth but I've no idea what to expect from Forest today. Porto was huge, but was it a one off? Will it have given the whole team a real boost?

A point would be a very, very good point today. But we kinda need a win, because we really are at risk of being cut adrift even though it's very early days.

Thanks as always for the top notch match threads @Pope John XXIII
 
Not losing would be a significant result but we do need to try and nick all three cos we need some pts on the board.

Porto was good but we still need to do better, especially with set pieces. Everyone can feel relieved now that fucko has left but the real work starts today.

Coyr
 
I would happily take a point if you offered it right now. Bournemouth are looking very strong so anything we get, we will have had to work for.

Would love Dyche to mastermind a smash and grab 1-0 though, that would be epic.
 
If we get something today that would be a bonus but more importantly we need a good performance to build on Thursday. We'll be confident at the start but we need to leave feeling positive even if we lose narrowly.

I hope I'm wrong and we shoot up the table but I can see us being down there for a little while as it's not easy to make up for a bad start.
 
LetchworthRed said:
If we get something today that would be a bonus but more importantly we need a good performance to build on Thursday. We'll be confident at the start but we need to leave feeling positive even if we lose narrowly.

I hope I'm wrong and we shoot up the table but I can see us being down there for a little while as it's not easy to make up for a bad start.
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I'm not bothered about the table tbh.

We should be aiming for 40 points, simple as that. Its totally irrelevant what the teams around us are doing until at least the last third of the season.

I think we can sneak 3 points today if we're very good, but we have to be very good.
 
weejockmcplop said:
I'm not bothered about the table tbh.

We should be aiming for 40 points, simple as that. Its totally irrelevant what the teams around us are doing until at least the last third of the season.

I think we can sneak 3 points today if we're very good, but we have to be very good.
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Mostly agree. We need to concentrate on our own game and the points will come. I hope by the end of the season we are still improving and have more than 40 points.
 
Thewolf/jimmygordon said:
50 points at least and Europa Final
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I wasn't talking about our ambitions for the season.
I meant, we need to have our eyes off the table and on the 40 point line RIGHT NOW.
There is no useful first goal for us to set that is lower than 40 points.

I see people talking about 'we need 7 points from the next 3 games.'
Why?
We really don't.

What we need is to set a reasonable time goal in which to achieve 40 points, and aim at that. Setting such a short term goal as 7 points in the next 3 games is absolutely pointless and you learn very little from a failure to achieve it.
 
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