We head down to the South Coast for the early kick off tomorrow. A chance to go top of the table (for a while) and set down a marker to everyone else. It can be a very good thing to play first on a weekend (if you win), but a depressing disaster if you lose.
Two of our most comprehensive victories last season came against Bournemouth - 5-1 away and 3-0 at home. We seemed to play them at just the right time and were at our best in both the home and away fixtures.
It won't be as easy this season, you wouldn't have thought. Three home wins on the bounce, including a win over Everton and a thumping of Hull, have put Bournemouth in a decent position. They have some very decent players - Arter, Ibe, Wilson, King, Stanislas - and a solid defence. The two full-backs, ex Tottenham boys Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith, are both very decent as well. Jack Wilshere, whatever you think of him, is a good fit for Bournemouth and is capable of inspiring the players around him. He, more than anyone else, will be up for tomorrow. Expect him to up his game a tad!
They're a pretty difficult club to dislike, Bournemouth. Young, classy English manager, good players, a small, intimate little ground. There are some similarities between Poch and Howe, in how they set out their teams. They both like to play nice, attractive football, although Poch is a bit keener on a high-pressing game. If I'm not mistaken, though, Bournemouth players did more running last season than any other.
It was a remarkable achievement for them to stay up, really, overshadowed by Leicester's incredible title win. They kind of flew under the radar. As things stand, they look set to swerve the difficult second season and even improve on their 16th place finish from last year.
If anyone saw the recent Gary Lineker interview with Eddie Howe, they would have seen an interesting insight into his methods, the infrastructure in place at the club and how professional and 21st century Bournemouth have become. To take them from League Two to the Premier League (and keep them there) across two spells is an incredible achievement. In the nicest possible way, Howe is like part of the furniture at Bournemouth. It is his club, his vision. Bournemouth and Howe are synonymous, like Wenger and Arsenal, Fergie and United, Moyes and Everton.
Replacing him would be a very difficult task because he's so ingrained in the club.
Again, this is something Poch is trying to achieve. He's been given time to build a team in his mould, to implement his philosophy, to get everyone at the club singing from the same hymn sheet. The club, the fans, the players, as one, all totally dedicated to winning football games and gaining silverware.
Everyone now knows what Tottenham are about. We have an identity. We have a particular brand of football. We have two good players for every position. We are (usually) very hard to beat. We have a tougher mentality. We have a never-say-die attitude.
Poch has combined the flair and attacking intent of Spurs teams from the past with steel, fight and toughness. It's incredibly refreshing to see, after years of false dawns, disappointments and near misses.
They're not the finished article yet, but this Tottenham team - superbly led by Poch and his assistants - is heading in the right direction. It's the same with Howe and Bournemouth - no egos, no disruption, no mind games, no mouthing off, no blame games. Just a desire to produce high-quality, committed, fast, high-tempo football, to leave nothing on the pitch. As a fan, you can't ask for more than that.
Should be an intriguing fixture. We only lost three away games last season, we're still unbeaten this. Other than the Newcastle horror, we only suffered narrow defeats to West Ham and Man United (on the opening day, via an OG). We don't lose games easily, so Bournemouth will have to produce their very best if they are to get 3 points.
I'm feeling pretty confident about a win. After the slight disappointment of last week's draw at West Brom (although it could have been worse), a win would get the weekend kicked off very nicely.
Bournemouth
posted on 21/10/16
I respect Howe for what he's doing over there. They eased their way to promotion by playing a stylish way of football and it would have been easy for him to try and reign it in for the PL; No. The principles that got them promoted in the first place are the ones he'll continue to use, even in the face of some tough times last season. They're not blessed with years of PL revenue behind them yet he won't compromise on his beliefs - West Bore and Pulis should take note.
Like HRH says, his sort of style is the type of team we are made for. We need a win and if we perform as we can we should get it.
posted on 21/10/16
Excellent article, as always, you put some crackers up on this site
This paragraph in particular I agree with:
"It won't be as easy this season, you wouldn't have thought. Three home wins on the bounce, including a win over Everton and a thumping of Hull, have put Bournemouth in a decent position. They have some very decent players - Arter, Ibe, Wilson, King, Stanislas - and a solid defence. The two full-backs, ex Tottenham boys Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith, are both very decent as well. Jack Wilshere, whatever you think of him, is a good fit for Bournemouth and is capable of inspiring the players around him. He, more than anyone else, will be up for tomorrow."
Said the same yesterday. They are a good team with some very good yuong players who are improving, and Wilshere will be DESPERATE for a win.
Some people think this will be a walkover, but far from it.
posted on 21/10/16
Bournemouth seem to struggle against teams who press as they like to play out from the back themselves, especially at home.
I expect Spurs to win.
Only issue would be if they are lacklustre after a mid week trip.
posted on 21/10/16
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 49 minutes ago
Nice read, Lane
I really like Howe, seems a very humble man not getting garried away with his success at the Cherries. If the worst happened and we lost Poch, he would be top of my list to replace him.
Unfortunately for them, I think they are exactly the sort of side that are manna to us - I put Swansea in this bracket too. They try and play us, and we are generally much better than them at it.
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Great point!
posted on 21/10/16
After last weeks slip up we have to take 3 points here. And the way Bournemouth play suits Spurs
Gotta win
posted on 21/10/16
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 1 minute ago
Good articleI'm looking forward to watching this game tomorrow as expect it to be a good game of football with both sides looking to play.
From a personal point of view I hope they take someting from you which gives us a chance to jump ahead in teh tabel should we beat West Brom at home, it's a real test for you, post an away CL game, early Sat kick off and then a game v us on Tuesday but I fancy you to win by a goal, can't see you doing a repeat of last season.
Is Kane fit to start? You've done really well to get as many points while he's been out, testament to your squad.
How do you feel re the early kick off sat after a CL game? With the Tuesday game in mind I guess it's not too bad considering your CL tie was Tuesday, still never ideal to play away at 12:30 on a Saturday.
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I think your test vs WBA will be a tougher one. Pulis will follow the Portuguese Pulis' lead and park 6 at the back.
We are so much better vs teams who try to play against us, hence our thrashings of them last season. We just need to make sure we are far more clinical than we have shown this season, and keep solid at the back as usual.
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Fair point Devon it is a test for us, my main hope is that West Brom won't have as good players defensivley as united did especially Bailly, Smalling and Herrera who won so much ball for them.
But the longer it's 0-0 the more I'll worry, would love a scrappy early goal, on OG or something just they have to come out a bit.
posted on 21/10/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 21/10/16
We have to win but, like some of you have said already I fear we may drop points. Just have a bad feeling its going to be one of those days tomorrow.
posted on 21/10/16
I feel this Spurs team lack the flair we had in years past though, we run as effectively as a well oiled machine but also without a lot of imagination, like a machine
posted on 21/10/16
Spurs could put their full strength team on the pitch, which they obviously cannot, they would win this match at a canter. I still think they will win, but maybe just 1-0 or something like that.