Monday 20 August 2018

Howe sitting pretty near the top of the table

Two games gone and two wins for the Cherries. Be honest how many of you dared to think that might happen? Last season I thought the team did have a great chance of doing that against WBA and Watford, but I've learnt my lesson and didn't want to be overly confident when the Cherries had Cardiff and West Ham in their first two games this season.
Eddie Howe has reason to smile.
While the goal difference will shoot Bournemouth down a few places, they have as many points as any team after two matches and I didn't expect to be saying that. I have found the approach to the season very refreshing and I've been trying to figure out why Bournemouth have made such a good start.

Eddie Howe points to the training and the strong pre-season. I believe the way the team started last season had a lasting effect on the team and players were determined to start better this campaign. But still, it is one thing wanting to do well and another to put it into action. What I have seen is a high level of play from the 11 players on the pitch and concentration for the full 90 minutes, which has not always been the case with the Cherries in the past.
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The pleasing thing, which is strange, is that I don't even think some of the players have been at their very best yet. We have seen excellent performances from Brooks, Fraser and Wilson and yet from an attacking perspective we may yet see more from King. The running power of Gosling has been noticeable in midfield and the defence has been playing a high line that has only been beaten once, with Aké just getting caught out for the first time against West Ham.

Other than that, Bournemouth you'd have to say are in a very strong position with the likes of Jefferson Lerma and Diego Rico likely to have their work cut out to feature in the team. We'd also usually have seen Howe turn to his other strikers like Mousset and Defoe for more game time, but there has been no need to so far. With back-to-back wins the season takes on a new look about it, and without getting carried away, Bournemouth have raised their game so far when they have met a test.

The confidence will be flowing high and for the next home game it is going to be a pleasure to be able to be in an atmosphere that is full of positivity and noise for the visit of Everton, who AFCB will also now look to upset to keep their unbeaten record.

1 comment:

  1. I hope Eddie gets the team over the Marco Silva hex. Played Silva's teams twice and played terribly twice. Three wins to start the season would be super, and maybe would set the team up for a wonder season.

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