Much has been written before the start of the season &
even after Round3 of the Barclays Premier League on where Bournemouth will end
up come May 2016. The verdict by all noted pundits has been a fall back to the
championship for Eddie Howe’s side. There is no denying that the Cherries will
find it tough in their first season in top flight but what Bournemouth have going
in their favour is their young and enterprising manager.
Eddie Howe seems like a brave manager who is not unwilling
to change & the little that his side has shown during the 3 games so far is
their tendency to continue to push the opposition. In only their second game of
the season against a much fancied Liverpool side, a wrongly awarded goal from
Liverpool’s 32.5 million pound centre forward Christian Benteke was the only
difference between the two sides. That, they could restrict the movement of
Liverpool’s playmaker Coutinho to work his magic near the box was a testament
to the defensive shape Howe’s players can keep under pressure while frustrating
the opposition.
The next game saw them take on West Ham at Upton Park where the
Cherries twice took a 2 goal lead, only to let slip the advantage and allow the
hammers back into the game. The defensive frailties on display from both the
teams made for nerve wrecking football. Although they bagged their first points
of the campaign, Howe would not have been too happy to see the mistakes
committed by his team & it but shows that they have a long way to go to
ensure their survival in one of the toughest league in Europe. Howe though must
be pleased to see his team playing well while going forward and trying to
breakdown defences no matter who the opposition is. Where they will end up
finally only time will tell but if Howe can keep on motivating his team to play
this attacking football, they will surely find themselves in top flight next
season.
