AFC Bournemouth's transfer business shows club is backing Gary O'Neil

As soon as the first signing of the Bill Foley era arrived in the form of Dango Ouattara, Cherries have pushed to bring in players of a similar ilk.

O’Neil has been pragmatic with his team selection, but it is apparent that Cherries are a team that like to do their damage on the counter, pulling teams apart in transition.

That is why they are after players like Ouattara, pacey and direct attackers, such as Marcus Tavernier, arguably Cherries’ most successful signing so far this season.

O’Neil’s system is reliant on individuals to create and convert chances of the cuff, rather than the patient and patterned style of previous boss Scott Parker.

Whilst fan opinion on O’Neil has soured in the weeks following his appointment as permanent manager thanks to a run of seven games without a win, it appears the head coach has the full backing of the club to stave off the threat of relegation.

There has been no negative noise surrounding his future despite the poor run and discontent rising in the stands and on social media.

This is further evidenced by Cherries’ bids this window.

Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson and Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo have both undergone medicals at Cherries ahead of potential moves, the pair both fitting the profile required for O’Neil’s attacking system.

Semenyo's move was completed, the Ghanaian signing from Bristol City.

• Semenyo becomes third January addition at Cherries
• Nicolas Jackson halfway through thorough medical at Cherries

Both are fast and at their best when driving at the backline, ball at their feet.

Arnaut Danjuma, who has since joined Tottenham following Cherries’ own pursuit, is another match-winner type that provides directness, pace, and attacking intent to a team.

It seems Cherries are not currently focused on adding creativity to their central midfield, a playmaker to provide chances to their frontline.

Even Nicolò Zaniolo, the Italian Cherries reportedly hold an interest in, is not a creator-in-chief, but rather more frequently a right-winger or a second striker.

A talented player, he will not be pulling the strings, feeding passes between the lines, but instead tasked with getting on the ball and driving it forward.

The midfield of Gary O’Neil’s side so far this campaign has been the engine room, the primary objective for the central-midfield pairing to win the ball and quickly move it upwards.

They shield the backline, and whilst they may get forward to add numbers to an attack, they are not the creative force of this team.

Cherries can be frightening on the counter, with many players excelling in transition. However, if a move is delayed long enough for a defence to reset and hunker down, then it becomes nearly impossible for Cherries to score.

Throughout O’Neil’s spell in charge of the side, Cherries have only completed more than five passes in the build-up to a goal twice.

For Jefferson Lerma’s strike against Fulham, Cherries completed five passes between the defence, before springing the ball forward – bypassing the midfield in the process – and carving the hosts apart.

It is a similar story for the other goal, Marcus Tavernier’s equaliser away at Leeds. Cherries win the ball back, Lerma recycling possession towards his own goal. The backline pass it amongst themselves, before space opens up ahead of Marcos Senesi, who releases Ryan Fredericks.

In total, only two passes are completed in Leeds’ half before Cherries have the ball in the back of the net.

Cook and Lerma’s contribution to the move is merely to keep the ball moving, one or two touches before passing – without gaining major distance.

Goals are but a small sample of a team’s overall attacking play, but there is further evidence that Cherries do not like to dwell in possession.

They have completed just 99 passing sequences totalling 10+ passes this campaign, the lowest in the Premier League.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but rather an indication of the style of play Cherries have employed.

They are fast and direct when they do attack – using fewer passes than average and travelling more of the pitch in a shorter time.

Brentford and Newcastle take similar approaches – Thomas Frank’s Bees taking fewer passes in their attacks at a slightly slower pace, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle faster with more passes.

This is the style Cherries look to make effective under O’Neil.

That is reflective in the players Cherries have brought in. They tick Black Knight’s boxes of young talents with potential to grow as footballers and in value, as well as providing O’Neil with more attacking tools.

Their auxiliary business has been to address areas in need for reinforcement – adding further depth to the goalkeeping department with Darren Randolph, also finally adding another left-back to the squad with the incoming Matias Vina.

Although still hampered by injury to key players such as Dominic Solanke and Tavernier, it is now over to O’Neil to make the most of his strengthened squad.