There were a couple of surprising omissions from the starting line up against Cardiff and I am sure many fans will hope that Lewis Cook makes an impact on the pitch sooner rather than later. Simon Francis will also want to be the captain flicking the coin at the start of the game. But Howe knows that the balance of a winning team can soon be disrupted if he makes changes for the sake of change.
The partnerships all over the pitch worked well enough for the manager last Saturday. He will be eager though to get Jefferson Lerma integrated into the squad, and while Jefferson says he will be ready to play, Jefferson will have done well if he can manage to persuade Howe to get him on to the sub's bench this quickly. Maybe, just maybe Tyrone Mings could make way to enable Jefferson on to the bench.
The formation was a steady 4-4-1-1 against Cardiff and it is likely to remain the same. West Ham had problems in keeping Liverpool's midfielders getting in between their own midfield and defenders last week and Bournemouth will surely look to exploit similar opportunities on a wide pitch. That makes Ryan Fraser and David Brooks critical players for this game if, as expected, they start. Josh King may also hang back a bit off of Callum Wilson to make sure he finds the gaps in front of the Hammer's defence.
When your team keeps a clean sheet, there is no reason to tinker with it unless a player on the opposition side needs special attention and Steve Cook and Nathan Aké will be familiar with the darting runs of Arnautovic and Hernandes. Bournemouth don't need to change anything but Pellegrini might. Bournemouth can't be too reactive to what West Ham might do though and should try and cause the home side difficulties. Simon Francis made a great assist against Cardiff which may make Howe think about bringing his captain in, but I don't expect Howe to change the back four.
The only chance I feel for those who were kept out of the side last week to step in is if there have been any injuries in training. But if things are going wrong by half-time, Howe will change things and in which case I'll be watching closely to see who he thinks can make the biggest impact as a sub whether it be Ibe, Defoe, Lewis Cook, Mousset or even Lerma, if he is in the squad. Leaving Lerma out though for another week or two would probably increase the player'd desire to have a storming game when he gets his opportunity, so I have no problem with Eddie Howe keeping Lerma up his sleeve for another day. The same goes for Diego Rico after he serves his suspension - he shouldn't just walk into the team if Daniels is playing well. UTCIAD! Enjoy today's game!
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| Today we might get an indication of whether AFCB will have another season of fighting off relegation or a season when they might be able to stay up with the front runners. |
The formation was a steady 4-4-1-1 against Cardiff and it is likely to remain the same. West Ham had problems in keeping Liverpool's midfielders getting in between their own midfield and defenders last week and Bournemouth will surely look to exploit similar opportunities on a wide pitch. That makes Ryan Fraser and David Brooks critical players for this game if, as expected, they start. Josh King may also hang back a bit off of Callum Wilson to make sure he finds the gaps in front of the Hammer's defence.
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The only chance I feel for those who were kept out of the side last week to step in is if there have been any injuries in training. But if things are going wrong by half-time, Howe will change things and in which case I'll be watching closely to see who he thinks can make the biggest impact as a sub whether it be Ibe, Defoe, Lewis Cook, Mousset or even Lerma, if he is in the squad. Leaving Lerma out though for another week or two would probably increase the player'd desire to have a storming game when he gets his opportunity, so I have no problem with Eddie Howe keeping Lerma up his sleeve for another day. The same goes for Diego Rico after he serves his suspension - he shouldn't just walk into the team if Daniels is playing well. UTCIAD! Enjoy today's game!
Possible AFCB starting line up
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| AFCB Subs: Boruc, Francis, Lerma, Ibe, L Cook. Defoe, Mousset |
Cherry Chimes replies to West Ham Til I Die. with a question and answer session.
Will save lerma for Wimbledon game to make debut
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