Eddie Howe is confident his Bournemouth squad have got a nightmare performance at Burnley out of their system as focus turns towards Monday night’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
The Cherries produced a swift response from the 4-0 drubbing at Turf Moor – which was the Clarets’ first league win – with a 3-2 home win over Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn to progress in the Carabao Cup.
While Howe had used the opportunity to freshen up his starting XI, the Bournemouth boss believes the message was clear.
“We wanted to respond, although we changed a lot of players, the team was the same – Bournemouth going into it and wanting to win. There were a lot of positives for individuals and a lot to learn,” Howe said.
“You are asked a different question every week, you can’t look back on what has gone previously, you just have to look ahead.
“Some of the guys in the team will naturally have made me think should they be in the side for the next game (on Monday night), and that is what I wanted, competition for places and everyone fighting for their positions.
“That is a healthy thing, I don’t think the team should just pick itself. I have selection choices for this game.”
Bournemouth will check on defender Diego Rico and midfielder Dan Gosling, who are both carrying minor fitness problems, while left-back Charlie Daniels is closing in on a return from his knee injury lay-off.
“There is plenty of competition strength in the depth of our squad,” Howe said at a press conference.
“Look at our midfield, with Jefferson Lerma, Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman and Lewis Cook – who has got everything you need as a top-level midfielder. It is a tough midfield to pick.”
