“They’ve protected Ollie really, really well.” – Have the Poppies fixed their defensive woes ahead of tomorrow’s match?

Bournemouth Poppies have had a tough start to the season having conceded 44 goals in all competitions.

Though, two clean sheets in their last three games have seen an instilled sense of optimism amongst the club.

A more established backline has been used in their last three games, with defender Emmanuel Ohameje being played in his preferred position at right-back, and Rhys Taylor being deployed in midfield for two of those games.

Goalkeeper, Ollie Plunkett, said: “It’s nice to have faces you know.

“It’s good bringing new players in but it’s going to take a bit of time to get used them.”

He added: “I feel now we’ve more or less gelled, understand how each other play, each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

This comes after a period which saw the Poppies concede 31 goals since their last win back in August, before they kept consecutive clean sheets against Hythe & Dibden and Wincanton Town prior to their 2-1 loss against Petersfield Town.

Multiple players featured in the Poppies backline during the period, including midfielders Tyrone Carkeet and right-back Ohameje played at centre-back, with midfielder Taylor at right-back.

But Bournemouth boss Phill Brown has found a solution, with a backline including defenders Joshua Spink, Jonny Davis, John Zdrava and Ohameje being favoured in recent games.

Asked on recent performances, Brown said: “We’ve asked the lads to put their bodies on the line, and they’ve done that.

“They’ve protected Ollie really, really well.”

The next test for the Poppies defence will be their match against Hamble Club tomorrow.

Hamble make the trip to Bournemouth in a mixed vein of form as the Monks have lost their last two games in the form of a 3-2 loss against Brockenhurst, followed by a 1-0 loss at the hands of Stoneham.

However, they are in good shape going forward as the Hampshire based club were on a run of 18 consecutive games in which they had scored prior to their defeat against Stoneham.

On the upcoming game, Plunkett said: “Hamble are a good side, always up there every season.

“They are a good physical side, so it’ll be a good match against them.”

Bournemouth can be expected to line up in a similar fashion to their loss at the weekend, however left-back Spink could return to the squad following his absence at the weekend.

If the Poppies pick up all three points they could rise to ninth in the table, however Baffins Milton Rovers and Christchurch would both need to drop points in order for that to happen, with Baffins hosting Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Christchurch on the road to Wincanton Town.