Eddie Howe is keeping positive

It is easy to say keep positive when a result has not gone your way, but there are many games to go this season and once AFCB get some points the side will feel a bit of pressure lifted from it. At the moment the players should only be thinking of enjoying the game and getting used to playing better as the points will come when they start doing more positive things on the pitch.

West Ham will be another stiff examination especially of the defence. If the back four can keep good control of the ball and not fall too deep, then the side has the pace to attack the Hammers. The finishing has to be spot on though and while the team has not mounted much pressure on opposition keepers it is a puzzle to find ways of getting the strikers better chances on goal than we saw against Man Utd.

Eddie Howe needs to plan a way of getting AFCB off the mark.

What was impressive about the goal that AFCB did score against Man Utd was the both Lewis Grabban and Adam Smith were on the same wavelength and the crispness of the move was what opened Utd up and gave Adam Smith a look at goal. Sharp passing in and around the box is a beautiful way to play the game but far too often AFCB tried to go straight through the middle as was pointed out on Match of the Day. With Ibe running across the box and unable to off load a pass and Wilson unable to make the ball stick, AFCB were always struggling to create enough against Utd in the last game.

The pitch at West Ham will be bigger and that will bring it's own problems and advantages for AFCB if they can get into wide areas. Getting a win though in any way is what is needed. Once the side can get into mid-table they will start to build some confidence.