Eddie Howe may not ever want to change his playing style, but the time is fast approaching for him to really see what is available in the market for top class defenders this summer. If the Cherries thought that by signing Nathan Aké all there defensive problems would disappear, they are finding out that one top class defender can't save them every game.
The Huddersfield result was a big disappointment. It wasn't so much a painful experience because AFCB lost their unbeaten record, but more about the sloppy goals conceded. Simon Francis was exposed as a defender who is now struggling at this level and Steve Cook simply makes one misplaced pass too many at times, which must annoy Eddie Howe as much as the fans.
But who does Eddie turn to when it's not going well at the back? Can he throw Jack Simpson on and ignore the Premier League experience that the others have built up? Does he go to a back four with Adam Smith on the right? What he could do with is having a fully fit Tyrone Mings or a Brad Smith who played like he had been a first choice for Liverpool. Instead Howe's hands are tied. He has to work with what he has and at the moment the defence is still the weakest part of his team and it's been that way for three seasons in the Premier League.
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| There is no doubt that Nathan Aké is heading towards being a world class defender, but Bournemouth need a few more like him. |
But who does Eddie turn to when it's not going well at the back? Can he throw Jack Simpson on and ignore the Premier League experience that the others have built up? Does he go to a back four with Adam Smith on the right? What he could do with is having a fully fit Tyrone Mings or a Brad Smith who played like he had been a first choice for Liverpool. Instead Howe's hands are tied. He has to work with what he has and at the moment the defence is still the weakest part of his team and it's been that way for three seasons in the Premier League.
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In previous years, Eddie has had a defender with a solid amount of experience to share with the team. He has had Ian Harte, Sylvain Distin and Marc Wilson who have done the miles and been in teams that have experienced tough times. But this season there are no experienced men to come on at the back unless Howe wants to change his keeper. Daniels and Francis are the oldest defenders at the club and along with Steve Cook should have built up the necessary experience to deal with most games in the Premier League, but they are still being found out a bit too often and Eddie's priority this summer must be to find another great defender or even two. 
He had the chance in the transfer window and decided not to change the squad....it looks like he will go in the summer for Mepham from Brentford....could go for Evans from WBA as long as he does not arrive by taxi!
ReplyDelete£75m for Virgil van Dyke tells you how difficult it is to buy in January. Eddie is wiser to wait until the summer.
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