Newcastle vs AFC Bournemouth Preview

AFC Bournemouth will be looking to continue their fine defensive record in the league as they travel to Newcastle tomorrow afternoon.

The Cherries come into the game off the back of three clean sheets and a victory against Manchester United last Saturday.

Eddie Howe said: “We’ve had a steeliness in the last few games that’s made a big difference and we want that to become part of our DNA.”

When asked about finding the right balance between defence and attack the Bournemouth manager replied: ” It’s a balance that we try to have, even when we weren’t scoring we still set up in a very positive fashion, we normally play with two strikers and two wingers and try to have a right go at the opposition every week. Until the Manchester United game and that is how we want to play.”

Bournemouth find themselves 7th and seven points off the top four after an impressive start to the season.

On tomorrow’s opposition

Newcastle currently sit 15th in the league in the league on 12 points and come into the game off an impressive 3-2 victory away at West Ham.

Manager Steve Bruce has come under fire but he slowly seems to be taking control of the northern side.

Howe said: “Against West Ham last week they were excellent and they could have scored more, a lot of pace in their frontline and we know it’s going to be a real test but we need to take the confidence from the United game and make sure we show that tomorrow.”

Has the game gone soft?

Jefferson Lerma is suspended for tomorrow’s game and has picked up 17 bookings since going the club.

When asked has the game gone soft, Howe replied: ” No I don’t think the game has gone soft, I just think now under the microscope everyone plays with referees under the new laws have to be on it and I think there are more cards now then when I was playing, you could get away with a few things but now you can’t and Jeff has probably been a victim of that.

Team News

Jefferson Lerma is suspended

Dan Gosling has trained well and could feature.

No David Brooks (ankle), Junior Stanislas (knee), Charlie Daniels (knee) and Andrew Surman (knee) all missing through injury.

 

Newcastle vs AFC Bournemouth takes place on Saturday 3pm at St James’ Park