No zip for AFCB's players

In his post-match interview with BBC Solent Sport, Eddie mentioned that the players lacked zip, even if they appeared fit. It was a statement that suggested the lockdown period had not been a time when AFCB had got the best out of the players and that perhaps other team had done things better. The team was playing with fight in March when they played Liverpool and the stoppage of play came at a time when Bournemouth were very much in games, but now they have only been in one close game against Wolves out of the last three matches. The defeat against Newcastle was embarrassing.

Where has the energy and fight gone?

Has the zip gone out of Bournemouth's season? I'd say yes. There is no bite or urgency for  players to get motoring down the other end of the pitch. One fan said things have gone stale under Eddie Howe. Perhaps they have become tired of his voice and are simply not able to respond in the way the manager wants anymore. Players may be trying but for whatever reason the zip isn't there.

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Would Bournemouth be playing as badly if they were higher up in the league, probably not. The relegation fight has consumed the players. They need to try and forget about what position they are in and just try and play the game. They have been like statues at times and transfixed by other teams who have just played around them and through them. It is almost like AFCB are having a bad dream or a nightmare and just don't know how to shake themselves out of it.

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When Eddie Howe's teams go on a losing streak, they often look totally bereft of ideas and unable to see how they can get out of the losing pattern. But there is something more niggling about this current poor run. There is not even a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. It is as if things need to be reset completely. A few heart to hearts might be needed with some of the players. Whatever the problems are they need to get them out in the open. To me only David Brooks looks somewhere near his normal self. The other players might as well be in a trance.

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