Talking points from Queens Park Rangers 2-3 AFC Bournemouth

We have taken a deeper look at some areas of interest in a game that saw fringe players given opportunities to impress.

Another slow start in knockout competition

There has been a common them to Cherries’ cup ties with Championship opposition this season.

Slow starts had previously threatened their progress in the EFL Cup, but QPR’s 2-0 lead at the break represented Cherries’ most sluggish first half in a knockout game this season.

Swansea City and Stoke City were eventually seen off in the EFL Cup but both required Dominic Solanke’s introduction off the bench, but on Saturday there was no chance of Cherries’ talisman saving them once again.

Cherries wasted no time in turning things around, completing the comeback by 70 minutes.

With plenty of lower league sides still in the competition, Cherries must take heed from another slow start if they are drawn against a team fancying a cupset.

Cook converted into centre-back

There were a few eyebrows raised at the break when one centre-back and one attacker were brought off for a centre-midfielder and another forward, suggesting a change in shape.

However, that was not the thinking of Andoni Iraola, who elected to keep Cherries in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

That meant an already makeshift defence, with winger Marcus Tavernier at left-back, was looking even more unfamiliar.

Lewis Cook lined up alongside Marcos Senesi in the heart of the Cherries defence for the second half, and did not look too out of place.

Cook has often dropped into the back three to help Cherries build moves this season, utilising his deep-lying playmaking skills to great effect at times.

He also can be seen drifting into the space vacated by an onrushing full-back on either side of the pitch, Cook both defensively minded and defensively sound enough to pitch in when needed.

But Saturday’s proposition was a different beast, Cook asked with operating completely as a defender for 45 minutes.

It could be argued that Cook’s job was slightly easier than the task faced by the Cherries backline in the first half, with QPR far more subdued after taking a two-goal lead.

But it should be said that an improved intensity higher up the pitch was a factor in keeping the Hoops quiet, whilst Cook looked comfortable in aerial duels, blocks and tackles throughout the second period.

The introduction of Ryan Christie highlighted the Scot's importance to the team, his tenacity and energy in midfield serving as a shot in the arm for Cherries.

Courtesy of Whoscored.com (Image: Whoscored.com)

As shown by the average positions of the starting players, Cherries’ backline sat higher up the pitch in the second period, indicating their control of the game in the final 45 minutes.            

Man-marking hampering Brooks offensively

Cherries were frequently tempted by the overload of attacking talent down their left, with Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra a scary combination for any right-back.

51 per cent of Cherries moves in the game came down QPR’s right side (Cherries' left wing), with Tavernier and Sinisterra forming a potent attacking triangle with midfielder Philip Billing.

That meant Cherries’ right wing was very quiet in the first half, and that issue was exacerbated by the task asked of David Brooks.

Prior to the match Iraola had spoken about QPR’s clear 4-3-3 shape in attack, Marti Cifuentes’ possession-based style quite structured in its build-up.

In order to combat this, Iraola had Brooks drop back with Lewis Cook and Alex Scott to form a three-man midfield, allowing Cherries to go man for man.

Whilst this did limit the hosts’ passing moves, both their goals stemming from much more agricultural and direct attacks, it meant that when Cherries did win the ball back, Brooks was often too far back to be properly involved in attacking play.

When the Welshman was hauled off at the break, Cherries were less strict in their man-to-man marking, although QPR’s more passive performance in the second half made it difficult to compare.

Cheers for Adu-Adjei on debut

Daniel Adu-Adjei’s brief cameo at the end was another highlight in a successful day for Cherries.

This time last year the youngster had not even gone out on loan to Cherries’ non-league neighbours Poole Town, his first taste of men’s football coming in February of 2023.

Fast forward 11 months and the teenager made his professional debut in the 87th minute, replacing Philip Billing.

With Cherries defending a slender lead, there was little for the striker to do, but he did earn one of the biggest rounds of applause from the nearly 3,000 strong away following for winning a free-kick in the corner of QPR’s half.

Fans and staff alike will hope that this exposure to the first team will lead to plenty more appearances for Adu-Adjei in future.