How quickly can Gradel and Tomlin adapt to AFCB's style?

The new signings of Max Gradel and Lee Tomlin can expect gradual introduction to the Eddie Howe ways of playing. They may find it difficult to slip in quickly to the manager's thought process unless they grasp the fine details of how the larger picture of the team play is executed and how he wants them to create for other players as well as themselves.

Max Gradel keeps his eye on the ball.

Max Gradel has already had a snippet of action in the Villa game and he had speed and quickness of thought and was quite happy to tease the Villa defenders before getting his crosses and passes in. AFCB need a bit of arrogance and belief in forward areas and it is important that a player like Gradel gets involved as soon as he can as he has special talent that has flourished in France and he needs to get on that form now in England. It is also important for the team to understand Max's strengths a bit better. He also looked like he was prepared to go looking for the ball when he wasn't automatically given it and he'll have to be disciplined in staying wide if that's where Howe wants him to be.

Wilson and King will need support from other members
of the team to take the pressure off them at times.

Lee Tomlin has perhaps a harder task to immediately get games. There are several midfielders and forwards that he is up against and while Yann Kermorgant struggled to deal with Villa's persistent tackles around his ankles, there is probably a limit to how many new players Howe will introduce in one game. If Howe decides to just play one up front against Liverpool then the midfield places will increase and Tomlin's work rate could be a bonus at Anfield where there will be a lot of ball chasing to do.

Lee Tomlin, Tyrone Mings, Eliott Ward and Christian Atsu were among an AFCB side that lost to Exeter City at Hammworthy last night. Lee scored a goal during the game.

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