Is the AFCB defence now set right?

Listening to BT Sports guests, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole, you might think that Bournemouth's defensive set up is now pretty much fixed. The team has not let a goal in during the last three games, but it was the thickness of the woodwork that saved them at home against Man United.

Steve Cook and Adam Smith with Diego in the background
 - nothing was getting past them or Nathan Ake for the third game in a row!

I suppose I am always thinking that the next defeat is never that far away in this league. No matter how secure a back line looks, there are world-class attackers in the Premier League and only a few weeks ago Bournemouth couldn't buy a clean sheet, let alone get three in a row. Whatever Eddie Howe has done, it has worked for the moment. The form of Diego Rico has been very consistent and the return of Adam Smith has given a lot more running energy to the team.

In addition, we are now seeing the benefits of Steve Cook and Nathan Aké having played the best part of a couple of seasons together now in Bournemouth's defence. It's the trust that they have been building up and the knowledge about each other's game that is helping the team. There were very few moments of panic against Manchester United, and by keeping the shots to long-range efforts, there was a bit more calmness about AFCB's defending.

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Whether that control and work rate to keep the clean sheets going will continue is harder to say. Man United were in good form coming into the match, but were perhaps energy sapped from playing their third game in a week. Bournemouth won't have that advantage against Newcastle United away, but the Toon have been conceding as well as scoring goals.