AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe couldn’t help but be disappointed by his current sides performance against his former club.
On his 40th birthday, Howe welcomed his former side Burnley back to Dean Court. The visitors made the trip on the back of a Premier League campaign that has thus far allowed the Burnley supporters to dream of qualifying for European football.
The Cherries had won four of their last six games in all competitions and Howe once again stuck predominantly with the starting XI that had enjoyed that run of form.
The only change to the side that drew at Swansea was the return of AFC Bournemouth captain Simon Francis at right back with Adam Smith dropping back to the bench.
Virtually from kick off however it was clear that the Cherries were in for a long evening and Burnley proved good value for their initial 2-0 lead.
The Cherries rallied towards the end with substitutes Lewis Cook, Jermain Defoe and Ryan Fraser all having a positive impact on the side, but when Joshua King’s goal came it proved to be just a consolation.
Howe told afcb.co.uk…
‘It`s a tough one to take in terms of our performance. I`m very disappointed in how we played, but credit to them, they played very well and nullified out threats.
‘We were below par with the ball tonight and didn`t deliver. You have to give Burnley credit, they did very well.
‘We never got our rhythm and we didn`t open the pitch up. I thought we played in tighter areas tonight and I think the technical side of the game was where we didn`t deliver.
Your Say…
rickie wrote…
One of the worst games I have seen us play. We all know the problems and so do teams that come to play us. We should be taking points at home against most clubs if we are to stay up so changes need to be made.
My thinking is that a change in formation is needed and I would go
3 at the back with 2 wing backs 3 in mid field and 2 strikers not forgetting a keeper of course. – Join the conversation here.
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