Bournemouth Fan View: Jermain Defoe MUST be dropped for Brighton clash

Yes, I’m aware that I said Jermain Defoe would fire my AFC Bournemouth side to victory against West Bromwich Albion earlier this season. But forget that. That was then, and this is now.

Four consecutive defeats can change your thinking quite drastically. There’s no getting away from the fact that our clash against Brighton this Friday night is a must win.

With upcoming games against Everton and Leicester City we must grab three points from the Seagulls, otherwise we risk being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. How can we do that? Why, by going back to basics.

If it isn’t broke, don’t try and fix it

We’re in a poor state at the moment. That’s not a big secret. When we’re in a rut Eddie Howe usually tends to revert the team to as much of the Championship title winning side as possible though.

It’s worked in the past, and although this might be a season too far for many of these players, I can see Eddie attempting it one last time on Friday. This means going for a straight 4-4-2, with players such as Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith, Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Harry Arter, Andrew Surman, and Marc Pugh all being drafted in.

I would prefer some kind of middle ground to be found though, with a 4-5-1 system to be used. We’ve always looked more solid as a team in that system, and we look more potent in attack too.

Most importantly however, it would also allow Josh King to play as the main striker – which is his best position. He needs to be able to dominate defences like he did at the end of last season.

Watching him being shunted out on the wing – like he was against Arsenal – is like using a Porsche as a milk delivery truck.

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Hail to the King

This starting eleven therefore wouldn’t include Jermain Defoe, who I think has offered more problems than solutions in our opening four games.

Howe clearly feels obliged to play the England international, but by doing so he’s diminished King’s effectiveness. And after last season I think King deserves a chance to lead out front line week in week out.

But to do that he needs decent service, and our midfield certainly isn’t offering that at the moment. This may stem from the fact that Howe is again not playing a player who finished last season well – Lewis Cook.

The former Leeds United man can pick out a forward pass, and looks comfortable on the ball beyond his years. He nabbed two assists in six appearances last season, yet to the bemusement of much of our fanbase now struggles to get minutes – let alone first team appearances. He needs to start on Friday.

Jermain Defoe as supersub

Back to Jermain Defoe however, I also think he could be hugely effective option off the bench. He could capitalise on tired back-lines with his trademark ability to unleash a strike much quicker than your average forward.

Ultimately, this game against Brighton on Friday is huge – and could end up shaping the rest of our season. I think Howe realises this too, and will have the team suitably pumped up.

I just hope he sets them out in a formation which actually makes sense. We simply can’t have a repeat of the Arsenal game – which saw us on the back foot before we even kicked off.