Thursday 22 September 2016

The heat is turning up on Howe

While Eddie Howe will know that the start to AFCB's season is disappointing, he can't be distracted from one underlying need - he has to get the team defending a whole lot better. The league cup defeat saw yet another three goals shipped, even if you can say the players on the pitch were not the players that had four put past them at the Etihad. That does not make things any better though, as the only way Howe can strengthen this team at the moment is by drilling them more on the training pitch.


Eddie may change his view on line ups for
cup games and start playing his strongest team.
The successive defeats is going to change the attitudes around Dean Court. While AFCB fans won't expect to win every week, the manner of the defeats is draining and with the new signings not yet taking the team to a new level, it is only right that Howe will ask for more patience. A reaction will come at some point, but the Cherries don't really have time. They need a result and the mid-week defeats will get heads wondering why the team is having this bad run and what needs to change?

The selection of the team is now going to be under more scrutiny. While Boruc has been in great form, he has been far too busy already and needs a back four that can offer him better protection. It is easy to say that AFCB have been distracted with the arrival of Jack Wilshire, but perhaps the side is too attack-minded and not set up well enough to deal with attacks from opposition sides. More defensive midfielders are something that Howe may need to consider now. Are Nathan Aké, Tyrone Mings or Brad Smith any better than the regular defenders and central midfielders at stopping forwards? AFCB need a Kanté that can mop up attacks and give the ball to those who can deliver in the final third - the only problem is the strikers are also struggling!

Sometimes coaches should look more at stopping the opposition first. It is an area that Eddie and Jason Tindall need to address as the fans will soon be asking what is going on if the side can't start to perform without conceding three or more goals in most games.

The Football Blog Awards are asking for votes up to 26th September 2016 - Cherry Chimes is asking followers of the blog to vote for it in the Best Football Club Blog category

3 comments:

  1. For me unless we beat Hull then there will have to be serious thought to changes..not sacking the manager...but a significant alteration to first team.....I would have thought that Lewis Cook and Nathan Ake need to be brought in and stay in.....I think adirector of football...Roy Hodgson should be considered

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  2. Hodgson - heaven help us. Callum Wilson would betaking corners! LOL

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  3. What on earth would Hodgson bring to proceedings? I actually think he might have Alzheimers.

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