--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-25T09:27:04.066Z last_updated: 2026-07-24T23:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/bournemouth/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm91cm5lbW91dGhlY2hvLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2NDA5MTIyLmZpdmUtdGhpbmdzLWxlYXJuZWQtYWZjLWJvdXJuZW1vdXRoLWJlYXQtc3QtcGF1bGkvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Five things we learned from Rose - **Source:** - **Published:** 24 Jul - **Club:** Bournemouth - **Original URL:** https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/26409122.five-things-learned-afc-bournemouth-beat-st-pauli/?ref=rss YESTERDAY'S 4-1 win over St Pauli was a good start to the Marco Rose reign at the Cherries, but as with any pre-season friendly, you cannot read too much into the result. But it certainly gave some good insight into how the new boss wants his team to play – here are five things we learned. Reaction to St Pauli goal 'top and right' as Rose happy with first Cherries friendly Kroupi and Brooks 'carrying fatigue' that saw pair miss friendly vs St Pauli Cherries cruise to comfortable pre-season victory over St Pauli to begin Rose reign Rose likes to play with two strikers This one may not be a surprise to those who have looked at how Rose’s previous teams played, but the Cherries started with Evanilson alongside Enes Unal. It was always the plan for Unal, Daniel Jebbison, and Alvaro Rodriguez to play around 30 minutes each, but for the first half, while Evanilson was on the pitch, he operated more as a second striker and at times dropped deep to collect the ball and link play. That is a real strength of his, and with Rodriguez brought in this summer, that may be a partnership that is a regular one. (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth) It’s understood the pair are already good friends – so hopefully that translates onto the pitch! Jebbison had a solid loan spell at Preston last season and scored a good goal that was well finished. He’ll be wanting to show what he can do as Rose’s system looks to be one that could suit him well, and he did nothing to harm his chances against St Pauli. The press is as aggressive and intense as under Andoni Iraola It was a slightly slow start and the press didn’t fully fire from the beginning, but that can be forgiven in the first game of pre-season. But once Bournemouth got into their work, their intensity was impressive for such an early stage in the summer. (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth) On multiple occasions they got joy from their press and won the ball high, creating half chances and opportunities to cross. This is something we’re used to seeing from a Bournemouth side and it was something Rose said he was specifically looking for from his side, and they certainly delivered. The midfield will be fluid The two Alexs, Scott and Toth, were good and ran the show in midfield in their respective halves. The Englishman showed just why he’s been the subject of transfer speculation this summer, and while his reactions to a couple of big challenges from St Pauli players were perhaps not the best, he had some excellent moments and driving runs from midfield. He was also used to lead the press at times in midfield when St Pauli had possession in their half, a job he did well. (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth) But positionally, he and Ryan Christie occasionally swapped, with Scott dropping a little deeper at times and collecting the ball off the centre backs, while Christie went higher, and vice versa. It helped having two players who have good ball skills in the centre, it will be interesting to see what changes when Tyler Adams comes into the team – although that’s not to say he’s bad on the ball! One thing to keep an eye on will be the space between the midfield and forwards when playing with two strikers, which at times looked like it could be exploited. I’m sure as the system embeds that will sort itself out, but when the two strikers stay high, the wingers are wide and the midfielders a little deeper, that can create pockets of space between the lines. Ben Gannon-Doak could be key for Cherries this season Gannon-Doak looked bright on the wing and he played the most minutes out of any Cherries player on Friday. (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth) Fresh off an impressive showing at a largely disappointing World Cup for Scotland, the winger has managed to keep fit for a good few months now, and he looked dangerous on the wing. A brilliantly taken goal was the highlight, but he was a real threat for the time he was on, and, with so many games this season, he will definitely get a chance in the side, and that may well be from the start of the season. A promising first outing in pre-season for the Scot. Development squad players impress While it was a little disappointing for Remy Rees-Dottin to be withdrawn so early, the development squad players who played looked good and fitted seamlessly into the team. (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth) Harold William got his goal but looked more than solid in defence, and could well be an option, if for nothing other than filling one of those UEFA homegrown player slots and as an option off the bench. Charlie Stevens, too, looked class in midfield in the second half, and looks like a top prospect. It was also the first minutes in the first team for 16-year-old Zac Christie – a proud moment for him and testament to how highly he is rated at the club. Malcom Dacosta Gonzalez will want to put the poor miss of his out of his mind quickly when he shot over the bar after Alvaro Rodriguez cut back to him, but he too had good moments.