by Ross Millen (@RossMillen)
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe insists that they can get points in the next few games, as they face a tough away trip to Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
The Cherries currently sit just three points adrift from the relegation zone, however a win at Old Trafford can fire them as high as 10th in the league table.
Manchester United are looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to rivals Manchester City, and will be hoping for a return to form in the mid-week clash.
This is the start of a tricky run of fixtures for Bournemouth, as their next four fixtures include Manchester United, Liverpool, a Carabao cup tie against Chelsea, before facing league leaders Manchester City.
Howe told the media at his pre-match press conference: “We can get results against these teams; we’ve done it in previous seasons. We’re hoping to do it again.
“We need to be fearless and have total faith in ourselves.”
In the 2015/2016 season the Cherries beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford following a winner from Joshua King, and Bournemouth will be hoping for a similar performance as they look to get back to winning ways, having not won in four games since the 4-0 thrashing of Huddersfield and controversially drawing against Crystal Palace on the weekend.
Reflecting on their previous result Howe said: “I don’t think either were penalties. Charlie got a clear touch on the ball; I don’t think the first one was enough to give a penalty.
“It was a clear blooded tackle but Charlie won the ball.”
Jermain Defoe scored twice on the weekend, including a goal of the season contender.
“I am confident we are going to get the best from Jermain.” Howe said. “I always have been from the start of the season.
“I think it’s always the same with new players coming to the football club, there’s a period of adjustment.
“His performances have steadily got better and I’m delighted to see him on the scoresheet.
“He’s a goal scorer, he has that goal scoring instinct, he always want to score. His two finishes were excellent on Saturday and hopefully that’s just the start.”
Lewis Grabban has been playing extremely well for Sunderland this season, scoring 11 goals in 17 games during his loan spell. However, he’s recently been re-linked with a move back to Bournemouth in January.
Regarding this Eddie Howe said: “With Lewis we’ll make the right decision for him and for us.
“I think it will be something we will sit down and talk about, we’ve got some excellent strikers here, we’ve got some real options in that position.”
Midfielder Harry Arter was left out of the side again on the weekend against Crystal Palace, and Howe told the media about the competition for places in his side: “He’s responding very well for us, I think everyone knows how highly I regard him.
“We’ve got competition for places in that area of the pitch, Andrew Surman and Lewis Cook have performed very well together recently. He’s got to force his way in, with the amount of games we have, he will play a big part coming up over Christmas.”
Prior to Sunday, United were 40 games unbeaten at Old Trafford. Now Manchester City have ended that period, it leaves them slightly more vulnerable for Eddie Howe’s side.
Kick off is at 8pm on Wednesday.