I will keep us steady, says Eddie

EDDIE HOWE insists he will not change his playing principles in order to steer Bournemouth out of their slump.

This loss to West Brom was a fifth defeat in six Premier League games. Howe must fix a defence who have conceded 20 goals in seven matches.

‘I think we have to do our style of game better,’ Howe said. ‘We have played various systems in the past couple of weeks. But in terms of how we play and what we do there will be no change.’

For West Brom, it’s the polar opposite. Goals from Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley after Josh King’s early penalty gave Tony Pulis’s side a seventh win in eight at home and the club have hit 40 points.

Chris Brunt said: ‘Last season we got to 40 points by the end of March and the season fizzled out so it’s important that we don’t let that happen again.’

SUPER STAT: It is the first time a side managed by Tony Pulis have reached 40 points in February in the Premier League.

WBA (4-2-3-1): Foster 8; Dawson 7 (McClean 54min, 6), McAuley 7, Evans 7.5, Nyom 6; Fletcher 6.5, Livermore 7; Brunt 7, Morrison 6 (Yacob 73, 6), Chadli 6.5 (Field 88); Rondon 7.

Subs not used: Myhill, Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Leko. Scorers: Dawson 10, McAuley 21. Booked: Nyom, McClean. BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Boruc 5; Smith 6, Cook 5, Mings 6, Daniels 6; Arter 6 (Afobe 66, 6), Surman 6.5; Fraser 7, Wilshere 5 (Gosling 66, 5), Pugh 5 (Mousset 79); King 6. Subs not used: Allsop, Gradel, Smith, Stanislas. Scorer: King 5 (pen). Man of the match: Ben Foster. Referee: Mark Clattenburg 7.