Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth’s impressive form in the National League Southern Premier Division has seen them remain unbeaten after seven games, currently sitting second in the league. As they prepare to host Oxford United at the Vitality Stadium tonight, manager Helen Bleazard has praised the team’s development since she took over from Steve Cuss in the summer.
Helen Bleazard said: “I think the biggest thing for me was bringing that culture in and the values. I think we’ve got a great group of players, but I think we’ve got a great group of people and that was the biggest thing for me. You’ve got to have the right character to be at this club. We have a really, really good group that are really, really humble in terms of they want to do well, they want to do well for the club. I brought in a leadership group really early on, so we’ve got six in the leadership group and I think they set the standard as well. So I think if we can get the standards right off the pitch, we’ll get the standards right on the pitch. And I think that’s just flowed throughout the first few months of the season.”
Bleazard further commented: “I think Hashtag [where the Cherries won 2-1] was quite a big one away from home. We set up in a certain way and all the analysis we did throughout that week, we had them ready to go and they actually set up in a different formation to what we thought. I think that was the big thing for me. So early on in the season we were able to adapt so quickly and I said after that game, give credit to Kieran [Keleher], our performance coach, he’s got them fit. Obviously I only came in towards the end of the pre season, so I wasn’t there for any of that work. So they came in and they were all fit and we used our squad, yet again, it wasn’t just an 11. You could see by the celebrations at the end of that game, everyone was so, so happy with getting that late goal.”
Since Bleazard’s appointment, AFC Bournemouth has not only maintained an unbeaten streak but also showcased resilience and adaptability in their performances. The team’s ability to secure late goals and adapt to unexpected formations from opponents has been a testament to their preparation and fitness levels. Bleazard’s emphasis on character and leadership within the squad has been pivotal, with the establishment of a leadership group setting high standards both on and off the pitch. This holistic approach has been a cornerstone of their early success this season, as they continue to strive for excellence in every match.
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