AFC Bournemouth
Nathan Ake believes a performance full of energy could provide the solution for AFC Bournemouth to end their St Mary’s Stadium hoodoo.
The Cherries will bid to break their win duck at the venue when they face Southampton in front of the Sky Sports cameras tonight (8pm kick-off).
In 15 visits to the city since the clubs first locked horns at The Dell in the 1950s, the Cherries have managed six draws but have yet to taste victory.
Eddie Howe’s team have drawn two of their past three matches at St Mary’s including last season’s six-goal thriller in their penultimate away game in April.
But having opened their home win account in the Premier League against Everton, Ake thinks a repeat performance could do the trick against the Saints.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk, the Netherlands international said: “We always have good games against Southampton and this one promises to be no different.
“We will go there with confidence after our win against Everton and they are doing really well at the moment.
“It will be a tough game but, if we show the same level of energy as we did against Everton, I’m sure we can do something.
“We have to focus on being consistent this season. Last season, we had wins like Everton and then didn’t play the same in our next game. We have to do it again against Southampton.
“They are doing well. They defended really well in their last game against Sheffield United and their front three are a threat so we know it’s going to be tough.
“You can see they are organised from the way they play. They have a clear game plan and the manager is doing a great job. They had a great draw against Manchester United so we know we are going to be up against a tough opponent.”
Both the Cherries and the Saints have taken seven points from their opening five games in what is already a congested Premier League with just four points separating third and 18th.
“Winning, and especially winning at home, is very important,” added Ake. “The league is so tight and one defeat can see you slip down towards the bottom.
“It was good to climb the table with the win against Everton but we know things can change very quickly in this league so we have to make sure we keep going.
“We know this is a big game and everyone knows what it means to the fans. The gaffer tells us every time we play them.
“We have to make sure we give everything. We have to give all our energy and make sure we fight for the fans and for ourselves.”
