AFC Bournemouth’s run of poor form continued on Saturday after a disappointing loss away to Norwich who sit bottom of the Premier League table.
Unsurprisingly, Howe believes his side need to pick themselves up and ensure they get back to winning ways tomorrow evening against Brighton.
“We have to fight back,” Howe said. “We’ve talked a lot about our spirit and how it shows on the pitch.
“I think at times it has not been evident, and the consistency and mindset have to be there in every game until the end of the season.
“We have to become internal and use all the negativity around us in a positive way, to show that we are still fighting and can do it.”
BUzz have arrived at @afcbournemouth for the press conference previewing tomorrow’s game vs @OfficialBHAFC. @AndyGoldman10 will be live tweeting and @LukeDonnelly01 will writing a preview. Stay tuned… pic.twitter.com/5xIbX8IEM4
— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 20, 2020
10 losses in the last 12
Although this may sound cliché, tomorrow’s clash with Brighton is very much a ‘must win game’.
The cherries have lost 10 of their last 12 games and have not scored since their unexpected away win at Stamford Bridge.
Howe mentioned the toll this has on his life, and how he aims to respond to this.
He said: “You live and breathe every second of it, it affects your life it affects everything you want to do.
“It really hurts. For me there is only one way to react, and that’s to fight back and try to prove people wrong.”
Along with this comes the alarming stat that the Cherries have not scored a Premier League goal in 2020.
“It’s not a great stat, is it?,” Howe told Buzz. “Not when you have the job of winning football matches you have to score.
So of course, that worries us, and hopefully we can end that tomorrow.
@afcbournemouth last scored in a #PremierLeague fixture on Boxing Day in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Here’s what has happened since #BOUBRI pic.twitter.com/22g27i1x8v
— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 20, 2020
Tomorrow’s opposition
Despite the Cherries’ poor run of form, they will find some comfort in knowing their opposition are in a similar situation.
Brighton have only won one of their last eight games (this win coming against Bournemouth) and find themselves only three points off relegation.
New manager Graham Potter has impressed since he joined from Swansea at the start of the season, and some people have drawn parallels with him and Eddie Howe.
Howe said: “Graham’s done a very good job in implementing how he wants his team to play.
“I have a lot of respect for him.”
⚽️? If #afcb lose to #Brighton tomorrow, is it time for #eddiehowe to go? ⚽️?#PremierLeague
— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 20, 2020
Team News
Lloyd Kelly (thigh) may not feature despite playing sixty minutes in a reserve game on Friday.
Long term absentees include Jack Stacey and Josh King (both hamstring), whilst Jordan Ibe (hamstring) and Junior Stanislas remain out.
Chris Mepham (knee) will be out for a while longer.
AFC Bournemouth v Brighton will take place at the Vitality Stadium on 21st January at 7.30pm
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