Manager Eddie Howe has highlighted the importance of AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League showdown with Everton.
The Cherries head to Goodison Park locked on 27 points with the Toffees, although both teams have had a dip in form following impressive starts to the season.
Howe’s men have won two of their past 11 games in the top flight, while Marco Silva’s Everton have triumphed once in their past eight matches in the Premier League.
“It’s another massive game for us,” said Howe, speaking at his pre-match press conference.
“We’re very keen to show a response to the recent run we have been on. I think that’s the key thing in terms of our defensive display and defensive mentality that we’re looking to improve.
“We have to show that in the match and, if we do, with the attacking players we have and our ability to score goals then I think we’ll be fine.
“But certainly it’s been a process that we have gone through to try to learn and react to each game in a positive way.”
Asked whether he anticipated another eventful clash with the Toffees, Howe said: “I wouldn’t rule out anything.
“When you look back at the games we’ve had against Everton, they have been action-packed, with a lot of goals and some exciting matches for the neutral.
“I don’t know why that’s happened but even the game we had here earlier this season was the same. We were 2-0 down and came back to get a really good point in the end.
“It’s two teams that want to attack and want to implement their attacking play on the other team and that’s what you get as a consequence.”
Asked whether he felt the Cherries’ failure to win in the Premier League would affect his players, Howe replied: “I’d like to think it doesn’t affect the mentality of the players, it certainly doesn’t affect me.
“I think we always believe that when we haven’t done something, it’s a huge incentive to try to do it.
“We’ve had mixed results at Goodison Park and it’s been a tough ground for us historically in our Premier League journey but we’re very keen to change that and to get our season really firing again.”
Meanwhile, new loan signing Nathaniel Clyne could be in contention to face Everton after joining the club from their Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
Clyne was introduced to the media on Friday and said: “Hopefully I’ll get the nod to start the game. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and, hopefully, we can go there and get the result we are looking for.
“I hope I can offer a lot of energy going down the right wing and be solid defensively. In general, I just want to help the team with my experience and also help the team push up the league.”
