Eddie Howe has a big job on his hands to save Bournemouth

I have always been a great advocate of Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe. In recent years there have been numerous editorials on how highly I rate the Cherries head coach. He has brought Bournemouth such a long way and will go down as one of the Cherries most successful head coaches whatever happens in the future. That being said, he should not be immune from criticism and questions over his team.

A terrible run of form

The team from the south coast are currently on a terrible run of form in the Premier League, winning just once in 12 top-flight outings. The fact that they have suffered ten defeats in that 12-game run is of major concern.

Howe’s football philosophy has always left the Cherries fairly open at the back, as they play attacking, expansive football. That sort of style often means the opposition get more chances and score more goals.

That philosophy is fine when your team is scoring goals. Until this season Bournemouth were scoring just enough goals to stay clear of the relegation zone and survive relatively comfortably in the Premier League.

However, this season Bournemouth have struggled in front of goal in the top-flight. In fact, the Cherries are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season. Conceding too many goals and not scoring is the perfect recipe for relegation.

Can Howe turn things around?

The question is can Eddie Howe turn this situation around in the coming months. The Cherries have gone through some really poor spells of form in recent years in the top-flight, but their head coach has always found a way to turn things around and save them from relegation.

Looking at their current situation things are grim for the team from the south coast. Not only are Bournemouth not winning, but none of the other relegation candidates have given up hope of survival. No team is really adrift. Bottom team Norwich are just three points behind the Cherries.

The highly-rated how needs to turn things around not just for the Cherries sake, but also for the sake of his reputation. In recent years, Howe has been linked with moves to Everton, Tottenham and Arsenal. It would be doubtful if any clubs of the same calibre would be back in for him any time soon if there is a relegation with Bournemouth on his CV.

It is one of the few times that people have questioned Howe’s ability to do the job since his appointment. The fact he has done so much for the club and team means that he has earned slightly more leeway than most other bosses would in a similar situation.

A vital game on Tuesday night

Bournemouth host Brighton on Tuesday night in what could be an absolutely vital game in the fight for survival. Such has been their form of late, the Cherries are underdogs at odds of 15/8 to beat the Seagulls.

A victory against the visitors may not be enough to lift the home side out of the relegation zone. However, it would change the atmosphere and lift spirits at the south coast club. They need something to fall their way to get out of their current predicament.

This is the biggest test of Eddie Howe’s tenure as Bournemouth boss. If he fails then it could have big implications on both the club’s future and his own. Judging by recent seasons, the 42-year-old will find a way to turn it around and save his team from relegation.

Will Bournemouth beat Brighton on Tuesday night?