AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe reflected on the defeat to Chelsea in his post-match press conference.
The boss talked about the second-half improvements and what’s next for the Cherries following a tight encounter with the Premier League champions.
ON THE PERFORMANCE…
It wasn’t a great half from our perspective, we were passive and that’s a dangerous game to play against Chelsea.
It wasn’t our intention and it was a real positive that it was 0-0 at half time, we could then try a different shape which would allow us to press the ball better and we were better in the second half.
To defend so well for periods of time, plug gaps and throw our bodies in front of shots, defend set plays well – to concede from our goal kick was hugely disappointing.
ON THE SUBS…
Jermain’s substitution was tactical, we had to manage his minutes and with that in mind, he was the one to make way - he would only have played 60 minutes anyway.
As for Junior, he pulled up directly in front of us but I haven’t spoken to him after the game, it looks like a groin injury.
As for Benik, we’re unsure at the moment.
ON THE PERFORMANCES NOT LEADING TO RESULTS…
We can’t make a habit of these performances, they are misleading. The games we’ve had, against Man City we were good, at Tottenham we were OK, today we were OK – we’ve lost narrowly on each occasion. But we need to find a way to nick these games, draw these games.
This league is all about finding ways to win points.
ON THE NEXT MONTH…
Crisis is a commonly used word nowadays but of course we are concerned about our position of course, we care.
We have key games coming up, November is a massive month for us, but I back the players to be good enough.
