After a strong start in the Championship, Scott Parker was left stunned as Bournemouth shipped six goals against Norwich City in the EFL Cup second round.
Despite making several changes to his starting lineup, a Cherries side which Parker would have felt good enough to gain a result at Carrow Road wilted during the second half.
Parker will attempt to use the manner of the setback as motivation going forward, but it was clear that some players are off the pace as far as being in contention for a league spot is concerned.
With Arnaut Danjuma having departed for Villarreal, there is an increasing reliance on the likes of David Brooks and Dominic Solanke in the final third.
When taking into account that a two-goal lead was conceded against Blackpool last weekend, Bournemouth have now let in eight strikes without reply.
Hull are another team who have found scoring goals hard to come by of late, their last effort in the league coming during the closing stages of their 4-1 victory at Preston North End on August 7.
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All things considered, defeats against Queens Park Rangers and Fulham came as little surprise, but the 1-0 reverse at home to Derby County hurt the Tigers.
Faced with another of the division promotion contenders, Grant McCann has a tough task on his hands with his side also yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Nevertheless, there were positives to take from the performance at Craven Cottage, particularly with many of the club’s attacking contingent on the sidelines
