While Tottenham have not been in superlative form at their new London home they have been a little more than a bit impressive on the road. It will only need a flick of a switch for Alli and Kane and company to suddenly hit form at Wembley, and it's important that AFCB do everything they can not to be the victim of another horror show as we close in on Halloween.
The team must look to establish themselves in these sort of games more than most. Tottenham have the talent to blow them away in a five minute spell and sometimes there will be little any team can do to stop Pocchetino's attacking players. But it's not just about keeping Spur's out. At the other end Spurs have only conceded five goals all season and have only lost one of their seven league games, which was against Chelsea.
What plan could Eddie Howe hatch? Well, a five-man midfield would seem to offer the best barrier to make it a competitive game and while three at the back has not always been positive for the Cherries it worked well against Man City. Injuries up front though could mean it's better to stick to four at the back. What the team will need is energy in abundance. The international break will have been tough on some who have travelled, but relatively easy on others who will have had some time to train hard with Eddie and Jason. It will be about holding their shape where Bournemouth can make the game difficult for Spurs. Too often the attacking intent of the Cherries has been countered by the best teams with speed and accurate shooting, and it's about time they did better at shutting the door. They nearly did it against Man City, but this game will be more difficult I suspect being away from home.
Keep the game tight should be AFCB's main goal in the first half. Making the game just a second half match would be a positive step, as long as Howe can get his substitutes right and with the possibility of Defoe and perhaps Lys Mousset being kept for the second half, there is always a possibility of pinching a point or more. While I'd like Callum Wilson to be on that bench, yesterday's press conference suggests that Callum is not quite ready yet and Josh King and Ryan Fraser could well be unavailable.
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| Eddie Howe hopes the bigger the game the better AFCB will play. |
What plan could Eddie Howe hatch? Well, a five-man midfield would seem to offer the best barrier to make it a competitive game and while three at the back has not always been positive for the Cherries it worked well against Man City. Injuries up front though could mean it's better to stick to four at the back. What the team will need is energy in abundance. The international break will have been tough on some who have travelled, but relatively easy on others who will have had some time to train hard with Eddie and Jason. It will be about holding their shape where Bournemouth can make the game difficult for Spurs. Too often the attacking intent of the Cherries has been countered by the best teams with speed and accurate shooting, and it's about time they did better at shutting the door. They nearly did it against Man City, but this game will be more difficult I suspect being away from home.
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Where Spurs have done well this system is in their full back play. Davies and Trippier were particularly strong in their last match against Huddersfield and overwhelmed the Yorkshire team in midfield with Davies even getting on the score sheet. So the battles on the wings will be just as vital as anywhere else on the pitch, and getting the balance right between attacking and falling back to keep the shape in defence is going to be quite a skill to try and get right.
Keep the game tight should be AFCB's main goal in the first half. Making the game just a second half match would be a positive step, as long as Howe can get his substitutes right and with the possibility of Defoe and perhaps Lys Mousset being kept for the second half, there is always a possibility of pinching a point or more. While I'd like Callum Wilson to be on that bench, yesterday's press conference suggests that Callum is not quite ready yet and Josh King and Ryan Fraser could well be unavailable.
Potential AFCB line up at Wembley 4-5-1
AFCB Subs
Boruc, S Cook, Arter, Pugh, Mahoney, Defoe, Mousset
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