How do Bournemouth get it right against Southampton?

Bournemouth know what they have to do now after the result between West Ham and Watford. Whatever the result they know they would really need to get something against Southampton, and a win would be the best way to give them a chance of an incredible escape. But how does Eddie Howe ensure that he gets a result similar to the last home game rather than a flop like the players had against Newcastle or Crystal Palace?

Bournemouth have work to do.

The mood of the players has certainly changed and being in the right mindset counts for a lot. The players need to envisage the goals going in and playing confidently as they did when they last played Southampton. Of course, the Saints would like nothing better than revenge. Their fans don't call this a derby, well this weekend they will be happy to call it a derby if they send Bournemouth down. So, it will be painful to lose this game even if Bournemouth might get another chance against Everton to save themselves. Bournemouth must leave out everything on the pitch and look to do the double over Southampton.

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Eddie has to play his best team probably from the start in this one. Bournemouth have been coming on strong in the second half of games, but with survival at stake it may be too much of a risk to leave Callum Wilson and David Brooks on the bench again. If Eddie does go to attack Southampton for the off, he'll have to look to see how he can stop Southampton playing on the break with the pace of Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond. The free kick accuracy of James Ward-Prowse is another worry for Bournemouth.

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But this has to be a game about what Bournemouth can do. They don't have to think too much about what Southampton are going to do, if they can dominate the game as they did in the last 20 minutes against Man City. Getting the ball in the box and making things happen is what Eddie has to implore his players to do. Goal difference could be vital so, Bournemouth have to go at Southampton from the start and not only try and win but win well.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Should Bournemouth fans care about West Ham v Watford game?

AFCB Home Form

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Southampton Away Form

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Norwich could fall further behind the Cherries

The pre-season favourites will visit Dean Court this weekend hoping to claw back some of their early-season form when bookies were in no doubt that they would be the team to beat in the Championship. The up and down form of the Canaries though has left them sitting just outside the play-off places in January and they face no easy task against a confident Cherries side that are revelling in being at the top of the league.

Norwich have seen Neil Adams resign on Monday following his side's cup exit to Preston North End and a run of form that has not been play-off level in way of a points return. That means Mike Phelan is expected to be be caretaker boss for the Canaries visit to Dean Court, while Alex Neil the former Hamilton Academicals' manager looks set to become the Canaries next full time manager. While that means the Norwich players will be told it's a new start, they could start to wonder what is happening with their season if they get a severe beating by the in-form Cherries.

Norwich are already 11 points behind the Cherries and have not exactly set the division alight with their away from of late winning just one of their last five matches. They have scored though in four of those games and they have plenty of options up front with Cameron Jerome, Bradley Johnson (shortlisted for player of the month) and our old favourite Lewis Grabban among the goals this season for the Canaries. I also like Nathan Redmond who came to Norwich from Birmingham a couple of seasons ago, but he has not really taken his game on that much in front of goal. Don't think that Norwich will be a push over though, they have drawn away at Derby in the last month and have handed out a 6-1 pasting to Millwall and 5-0 thumping to Huddersfield at home.

For all Norwich's quality though they are inconsistent and AFCB have been punishing teams that don't create enough chances against them. This match should have a super charged atmosphere as there are some big names in the Norwich team and the return of Lewis Grabban will have many fans eager to see this game. A win for the Cherries would underline that they are the strongest Championship team at the moment for me, and with Ipswich and Derby playing each other it could be an excellent opportunity for the Cherries to extend their lead at the top. 

Norwich Away Form
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AFCB Home Form

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Finally, congratulations to Eddie Howe for winning another manager of the month award.