Fraser irked by Cherries defending

Winger Ryan Fraser admits Bournemouth’s defending was way below the standard required after they blew a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at Newcastle. Harry Wilson’s 14th-minute strike gave the Cherries an ideal platform at St James’ Park but it was 1-1 at the break thanks to DeAndre Yedlin’s 42nd-minute equaliser.
The Magpies took the lead just seven minutes after the resumption when Ciaran Clark stabbed home from close range and there was no further scoring as Steve Bruce’s Tynesiders moved up to 15th spot in the top-flight standings, four places but one point behind Bournemouth.
It was the nature of the winner that had Fraser hot under the collar as Clark received the ball from defender Federico Fernandez, who had flicked on a Jetro Willems delivery unchallenged. “It is unacceptable. You can’t go into the next game and think that is acceptable. It’s just schoolboy defending,” the Scotland international told the Daily Echo. “I don’t know what happened. You can’t be free in the box in the Premier League – then he goes and taps it in.”
The result means the south-coast outfit have won just one Premier League game in six attempts – albeit a 1-0 triumph over Manchester United – and with the middle of the table so congested at present, they could easily get sucked into the lower reaches if things do not improve.
The international break will afford Eddie Howe some time to take stock and try to right the wrongs, especially in the rearguard, with some tough fixtures on the horizon when the domestic action resumes.
A home meeting with Wolves is next on the agenda before a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is followed by a clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on December 3.
Four days later sees the ultimate challenge when Jurgen Klopp brings his seemingly invincible Liverpool side to the Vitality Stadium on December 7.