CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola says the physicality of striker Carlton Morris was “killing us” as Luton Town opened up a three-goal lead at Vitality Stadium.
Cherries looked out of sorts defensively as they found themselves 3-0 behind at half-time on Wednesday night.
While Morris was not on the scoresheet himself, the goals coming from Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley, Iraola highlighted the forward as a key threat, before Cherries battled back to eventually win the game 4-3.
Asked what was going wrong during the first 45 minutes, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “We had two things to change.
“One was the long balls, where Morris was killing us, because he was dealing very well with the long balls.
“They were winning the second ones and he was even keeping the ball himself up front there.
“They could get to our box very easily and have the set-pieces, fouls and throw-ins. They made us play the game we don’t want.
“Then obviously the transitions after.
“A lot of times we were in possession attacking, we were arriving, but we were not controlling the transitions well.
“I think we improved in the second half, especially these two things and obviously offensively also we were more clinical.”
Iraola made two changes in personnel at half-time, bringing on Marcus Tavernier and Enes Unal in place of Luis Sinisterra and Alex Scott.
Asked if it tactical changes or instilling belief were the most important factor in the comeback, Iraola said: “At the end it is difficult to say there is one reason.
“I cannot say I moved this and everything worked, no.
“There are a lot of things that you have to improve.
“Especially the adjustments in the long balls, the transitions and we improved from there.
“Then we were a threat I think, on both sides, with Dom (Solanke) and Enes, we were creating the chances and we were obviously more clinical.
“We scored from the second phase of two corners, that are giving us a lot lately.”
