Bournemouth have something to prove against City

At some stage AFCB's players have to stand up and put on a performance that makes them proud. The match against Man City is one of those opportunities. The pundits won't give Bournemouth much hope of stopping City, despite Bournemouth's home record, but beating the odds is what it has always been about for the players who run out at Dean Court.

David Books could well make a return against City.

There are a few things Eddie Howe could do to the starting 11 following the Arsenal defeat, but I hope he doesn't change too many players. His selection problems have been made clear, but the only way some of the players will learn and get better is to take on teams like Man City, and do things well enough not to get a drubbing like they did at Arsenal.

Experienced players have a hard time against the top six teams and we can't expect AFCB's young players to get an easy ride. But they need to pick themselves up after the Arsenal game and show that they can get a result against one of the best teams. Bournemouth need more fight and more tenacity in their game. They should rightly be angry by what happened to them in the last match and the lucky players will have the opportunity to go again. It is how AFCB respond that is important now.

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For all the disappointment of conceding five goals in the last game, Lys Mousset had a start and got his goal. Now he might have a bit more to smile about than most. If he can believe that he is going to score against Man City as well he could feel that he has taken his chance. Chris Mepham should have the target of getting a game where he helps the team get a clean sheet. Howe has to pick players who have a point to prove in this game and he should make it clear to them that he wants results - it doesn't matter that it's Man City. Let's give them a game they don't like - UTCIAD!