No alarm bells yet for Bournemouth boss Eddie

BOURNEMOUTH manager Eddie Howe is not about to hit the panic button after his side’s winless start to the season.

The Cherries head to Birmingham in the Carabao Cup tonight having failed to pick up a point, or even score a goal, in their opening two Premier League matches.

With tough games ahead, first the visit of Manchester City and then a trip to Arsenal, Howe admitted a little concern as to why his players have not been able to produce at the required level yet — but he is confident they will hit their stride soon.

“We have had similar starts in the last two years. Certainly the difference this year is the performances haven’t quite been where we want them to be,” Howe said.

“At this stage of the season, that sets I wouldn’t say alarm bells ringing, but it sets a different bit of mentality.

“You are concerned as to why the team hasn’t functioned as it can do, a little bit below its potential, so we have some work to do to make sure we get back up to those high levels.

“I am confident we can, and if we had done in those two games, then I think the results would have been different, so the power lies within us.”

Like many other managers, Howe will rotate his team for the Carabao Cup tie.

England forward Jermain Defoe, though, is set for a first start since his summer move from Sunderland, having come off the bench against both West Brom and Watford.

Howe rejected suggestions the 34-year-old was already getting frustrated at a lack of game-time.

“Jermain understands why he hasn’t started,” the Bournemouth boss added. “He was late back after the international stuff he had in the summer.”