Manchester City aim to make more of a title challenge this season by my reckoning. Having spent more than £220m already on new signings. Guardiola was not so impressed by the team's opening win against Brighton claiming that "we are going to improve the way we attack." For most a 0-2 away win would be a satisfactory result, but Man City have targeted perfection. So what can AFCB do to derail this goliath?
Most attempts by AFCB on the top four sides to try and out possess them has ended in a thorough beating, but when they played in that fashion against Arsenal at home last season they did get 3-0 up by half time. The Cherries are simply not great at defending, so this attacking style has to be the way Howe will try and get something from the game. It will be heroic and may seem foolhardy, but the Cherries have to attack and take City on.
Tyrone Mings also played so well against Birmingham that it could give Howe time to consider whether AFCB could go three at the back with Aké and Steve Cook. The trouble is there probably hasn't been much training for such a system and you don't want to test it against one of the best unless your team is confident of doing it well. The other view though is to see it as a positive change that might surprise the opposition. Whatever gives the team confidence is the system that Howe should pick.
Possible AFCB Team
Begovic (GK), A Smith (RD), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Daniels (LD), Ibe (RM), Arter (CM), Gosling (CM), Surman (CM), Fraser (LM), King (FW)
Subs
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| Man City have not taken full points from their opening two games. |
The first object has to be defiance in doing everything they can not to concede. But Howe will not want to try and defend for 90 minutes in a bore draw. If Bournemouth can hold out past 60 minutes, it is probable that City would push everything forward in an attempt to get a win, which would be ideal for an AFCB side looking for an opportunity on the break. But I don't think Howe can send his team out to play in this way.
Most attempts by AFCB on the top four sides to try and out possess them has ended in a thorough beating, but when they played in that fashion against Arsenal at home last season they did get 3-0 up by half time. The Cherries are simply not great at defending, so this attacking style has to be the way Howe will try and get something from the game. It will be heroic and may seem foolhardy, but the Cherries have to attack and take City on.
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Guardiola knows the Cherries strengths and will try not to allow them build up their early momentum. Bournemouth have to prevent being out numbered in midfield and I wouldn't mind if we see five across the middle. 
Tyrone Mings also played so well against Birmingham that it could give Howe time to consider whether AFCB could go three at the back with Aké and Steve Cook. The trouble is there probably hasn't been much training for such a system and you don't want to test it against one of the best unless your team is confident of doing it well. The other view though is to see it as a positive change that might surprise the opposition. Whatever gives the team confidence is the system that Howe should pick.
Possible AFCB Team
Begovic (GK), A Smith (RD), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Daniels (LD), Ibe (RM), Arter (CM), Gosling (CM), Surman (CM), Fraser (LM), King (FW)
Subs
Boruc (GK), Mings (CD), B Smith (LD), L Cook (CM), Pugh (LM), Afobe (FW), Defoe (FW) Carabao Cup Third Round Tie AFCB v Brighton
AFCB U21s beat Exeter City 4-1
You can also read my AFCB v Man City preview on ASKFans
AFCB U21s beat Exeter City 4-1
You can also read my AFCB v Man City preview on ASKFans
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