Blunt in attack, penalty confusion and Chris Mepham - talking points from Brentford draw

More than a month has now passed since Scott Parker’s departure, with Cherries still very much in a holding period as they await confirmation of the takeover led by American billionaire Bill Foley.

On the pitch, some similar issues remain, while there are also positives to build on ahead of next week’s visit of early-season strugglers Leicester City.

Here were a few talking points from the clash with Thomas Frank’s Bees.

(Picture: Richard Crease) (Image: (Picture: Richard Crease))

Blunt in attack

While it is another point on the board, the issues in the attacking half of the pitch were again an issue against Brentford.

The opening-day win over Aston Villa seems a lifetime ago, with Cherries not finding a goal at Vitality Stadium in the three games there since.

A defeat to Arsenal has been followed by 0-0 draws against Wolves and Brentford, meaning 280 minutes of football have now passed since Cherries fans have been treated to a home goal.

O’Neil changed his formation for this one, handing Kieffer Moore a first start of his tenure, to partner Dominic Solanke up front.

Cherries appeared to adopt a shape close to a 4-2-2-2, with Philip Billing operating from a wider role than in recent weeks.

The hosts regularly got the ball up to the front two, but struggled to get bodies in and around them, leading to Moore and Solanke delivering crosses themselves into the box, which often came to nothing.

Cherries registered just one shot on target during the contest, and O’Neil admitted he would have liked to have seen more from his side going forwards.

He said: “It’s the first time in my four games that there is a tinge of disappointment and frustration.

“Probably like the fans. I felt the same as them, I think.

“I felt the structure was there and we didn’t quite manage to show our normal level with the ball.

“Even at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest as well, we had moments where we showed what we could do with the ball.

“(On Saturday) there were just too many slight errors that cost us momentum and the opportunity.

“It was the first time I’ve come away thinking we could’ve been better.”

Discussing his decision to change formation and give Moore a start, over Ryan Christie, O’Neil added: “Kieffer I felt could help us. Obviously Brentford are a physical team. I felt he could help us from set plays.

“We were struggling to progress up the pitch enough with any control. Too many turnovers.

“Kieffer Moore was up there and we didn’t manage to progress with the ball often enough to use his threat really. Although he did look a threat when we managed to put the ball in the box to be fair.”

(Picture: Richard Crease) (Image: Richard Crease)

Chris Mepham impressed in defence

Mepham stars again

On the flip side, Cherries’ defensive resilience has been one of the key attributes of O’Neil’s tenure.

Taking over on the back of the 9-0 defeat at Liverpool, the interim boss has seen his side concede just three times in the four games since.

A constant figure within that has been Chris Mepham.

The last time the Wales international faced his former club, he was sent off as Cherries lost to Brentford in the 2021 Championship play-offs.

Fast forward 17 months and the centre-back was named man-of-the-match after another stellar display, epitomised by his heroic double block seven minutes from time.

With a new contract in the bag and a run in the team, Mepham is growing in confidence and also developing into a leader. With captain Lloyd Kelly missing for the past two matches, Mepham has partnered Marcos Senesi, who is new to the league, in defence and the pair are striking up a solid pairing.

Senesi also deserves mention for his best display in a Cherries shirt so far against Brentford.

(Picture: Richard Crease) (Image: (Picture: Richard Crease))

Appeals to Thomas Bramall came in vain

Penalty confusion

While both calls were subjective, O’Neil and Cherries fans can feel hard done by with refereeing decisions in recent weeks.

Since Parker’s departure, Cherries have seen four big calls in which VAR were involved all go against them.

Kelly and Jefferson Lerma were penalised for handballs, conceding penalties in away matches at Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

Against Brentford, Kristoffer Ajer got away with a sliding challenge on Jordan Zemura, before Mathias Jensen’s handball at the death also went unpunished.

Young referee Bramall, only promoted to the top flight this summer, was sent to review the footage of the tackle by Ajer on Zemura, which usually means a penalty will follow.

But he opted not to change his decision. However, confusion was added to when Bramall appeared to point to the penalty spot, only to then give a goal kick.

Brentford boss Frank said after the game: “The only mistake he made was he was a little bit unclear whether he was giving a penalty or a goal-kick.

“It was definitely not a penalty.”

With regards the Jensen handball claim, Bramall insists a VAR review was undertaken, despite him almost instantly blowing for full-time after the alleged offence.

O’Neil explained: “I asked him (Bramall) what he saw. I didn’t see any footage of the last one being reviewed, which you normally do.

“So I asked if it definitely was, because obviously when he blows the final whistle at that moment, that adds some confusion to whether it’s going to be reviewed, whether the game is done, do the boys shake hands? Do they walk off? Do we stay on the pitch?

“I felt he could’ve not blown the whistle at that moment and we could’ve done the check before the game’s over. But he assures me there was a check and it was completed very quickly.”