Relegation zone: What Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth need to do
Adam Smith (left) and Andrew Surman during a training session on Wednesday.
Photograph: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images
Bournemouth: Pts 31, goal difference -27
Sunday’s fixture: Everton (a)
What they need: A win and Watford and Villa to lose
Climbing out of the relegation zone seems an extremely tall order for Bournemouth given the permutations but Eddie Howe says his players can be inspired by the crazy Championship climax on Wednesday, when Barnsley survived despite spending the previous 310 days in the bottom three. It is not quite the same story at Bournemouth, who were as high as seventh in November but have struggled to keep their heads above water since, winning one of their past 12 matches and keeping the same number of clean sheets.
Howe took his sons to play crazy golf instead of watching Watford’s defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday and says his coaching staff will not detail scores from elsewhere on Sunday because they will be worthless unless his side win.
Bournemouth will welcome back Adam Smith after concussion but Nathan Aké, the subject of interest from Manchester City among others, is touch-and-go with a groin injury. Aké will not be the only one to attract bids whether Bournemouth escape or not, with Joshua King and David Brooks not short of admirers. If Aké is not fit Lloyd Kelly, who has impressed, will deputise.
In seasons gone by Bournemouth have counteracted any vulnerability in defence with a free-scoring frontline. But Callum Wilson has not scored since the restart and despite getting into promising positions in the defeat by Southampton last time out they flattered to deceive in attack. Brooks has flitted in and out of games since returning from a prolonged absence with ankle injuries. As for Howe, the manager has conceded he does not know whether he will be in charge next season but his commitment cannot be questioned. BF
Commenti
Posta un commento