Eddie Howe’s formation experimentation with Bournemouth so nearly pays off

The crestfallen expression of Eddie Howe as Raheem Sterling helped Manchester City snatch an undeserved three points off my AFC Bournemouth side at the death this weekend said it all. “Gutting” doesn’t even cover it.

Yes, Pep Guardiola’s outfit dominated possession. But judged on clear-cut chances it was actually a fairly even game. Every player in red and black worked tirelessly in a truly gutsy rearguard display throughout, and we carved out several excellent opportunities in the process.

What really impressed me beyond our hugely committed display was how Eddie Howe took a risky gamble in how he had the team line up though. It worked far better than anyone expected.

Eddie Howe exorcises the wingers

Instead of the 4-4-2 formation we’d used in our opening two games, which made us – to put it kindly – about as inspired as a Paul Groves team talk, we plumped to line up in a 3-5-2.

This is a set up that Howe is clearly a fan of. I’ve seen him use it a few times in the last few seasons. The first time I saw him utilise it was when we got rinsed by none other than Blackburn Rovers, back in the Championship (a certain Josh King ripped up to shreds that day).

Then we tried it away at Chelsea last season and lost 3-0. So to put in such an assured performance in a formation that has previously never clicked for us against such an imposing side like Manchester City is hugely pleasing.

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Fantastic formation

Adam Smith clearly relished the challenge of playing right wing back, giving Benjamin Mendy a bruising start to his Premier League career. Charlie Daniels wasn’t quite as comfortable as left wing back, but still looked like it was a position he can grow into. He also scored possibly one of the best goals I’ve ever seen live. So I’ll forgive him for any positional uncertainty.

The central midfield three of Andrew Surman, Harry Arter, and Dan Gosling was also effective in frustrating Man City for long periods of the game. Surman and Arter were indistinguishable from their truly woeful displays afainst Watford.

Then there was the back three of Nathan Aké, Tyrone Mings, and Steve Cook. Mings impressed me the most, and put in a display of such ferocious commitment that it almost bought a tear to my eye. The former Ipswich Town man clearly lives for the big moment, and played like it on Saturday.

Attacking assured

Even the forward line looked effective. Jermain Defoe made his first Premier league start, and battled hard all afternoon. This was despite not being particularly well served by the service into him, which consisted largely of long balls.

Josh King also improved from previous recent displays, although that’s not hard admittedly. He started slowly but grew into the game. On another day his second half strike goes in rather than hits the angle. He struck it so sweetly.

So overall, this weekend may have seen us drop into the bottom three – but we’ve finally put in a performance this season that Bournemouth fans can be proud of. Saturday’s display is now the standard that must be maintained.