Bournemouth

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With the countdown to the Celebrity Traitors final under way, we asked you which Bournemouth player or manager - past or present - would make the best traitor and faithful.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Harry Redknapp is a shoo-in as the traitor. In fact, they should get him to appear in the next series. Steve Fletcher is surely a faithful - along with Keith Miller, who didn't follow John Bond to Norwich City.

Chris: Faithful - Antoine Semenyo right now. Lots of interest in him this summer but signed a new contract and is now talk of the town! Traitor - Ryan Fraser. He rejected a short-term contract extension in the Covid year in case he risked being injured. His form also just dropped off completely as soon as Arsenal showed a bit of interest.

Matt: Traitor has to be Fraser - not afraid to spoil the game for others and 'murdered' the Bournemouth team by refusing to play and contributing to our relegation in 2020. Faithful has to be Adam Smith - been at the club so long and helped us up through the leagues. Great on the attack and a great 'shield' from wingers. A faithful to the end.

Paul: Fraser will forever be the biggest traitor at the Cherries. Fletcher, of course, is the most faithful of faithfuls.

You can watch the final of The Celebrity Traitors live from 21:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer

Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert

Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Bournemouth player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

While Sunday's defeat at Manchester City removed Bournemouth's possession of the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League, dropping them from second to fifth in the tightly-knit early season table, fans will be more than satisfied with the first quarter of the season.

After 10 games, it would have been beyond anyone's realistic expectations that the only two defeats Andoni Iraola's side would have suffered, would have been Liverpool (away) and Manchester City (away), two away venues that, when combined, have produced 19 defeats, a solitary draw and no wins since the Cherries' first promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

One or two bumps and bruises aside, Iraola also has the luxury of a pretty much fully fit squad from which to pick at the moment.

While Bournemouth's terrific run in late January/early February last season came when injuries meant the starting XI was virtually picking itself, Iraola now has plenty of options, while having to leave one or two players disappointed at not even making the bench.

At the core of last season's success was the central midfield axis of Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie, with Justin Kluivert ahead of them in the number 10 role. This term, all three missed pre-season with injuries, and have faced a battle to regain their regular places.

However, all three are capable of playing in varying roles. At Etihad Stadium when right-back Alex Jimenez took a knock and had to come off, with the Cherries chasing the game, Cook came on at right-back (where he had to play during last season's injury crisis), rather than specialist right-back and club captain Adam Smith who remained an unused substitute.

In a long season, opportunities will come. Tyler Adams is on four yellow cards (one short of a suspension), while Jimenez, David Brooks and Marcos Senesi are on three apiece.

Iraola has also shown he is not afraid to make "horses for courses" selections, such as opting for Veljko Milosavljevic over Bafode Diakite at centre-back to deal with Nottingham Forest's physical threat, yet restoring Diakite against City.

The Cherries now travel to Villa Park on Sunday – and could go into the next international break anywhere between second and 11th.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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Bournemouth were somewhat forced into bringing in a number of new bodies into the squad this summer after plenty of stars departed, but amid the constant praise for many of the outfield players, it's time the new man in between the sticks gets some attention.

Djordje Petrovic was signed from Chelsea following the exits of Neto, Mark Travers, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose loan at the club came to an end. Neto wasn't always convincing but brought valuable experience to a young group, Travers always deputised impressively, and Kepa was part of the club's highest-ever points total in the top flight. Big gloves to fill for Djordje then.

In the past decade, where Bournemouth have spent the majority of their time in the Premier League, many keepers have come and gone, but in Petrovic, it feels as if the Cherries may have found their number one for many years to come.

At only 26, Petrovic is at the ideal age for a goalkeeper, bringing in a solid amount of experience as well as plenty of room to improve, and currently, he is impressing the Bournemouth faithful.

The Serbian number one has chalked up four clean sheets in his opening 10 Premier League games for the club and has made some key saves in crucial moments throughout. His commanding presence from set pieces alone has also made for pleasant viewing.

Artur Boruc, Aaron Ramsdale, Asmir Begovic, and Kepa have all claimed and impressed as the Cherries' number one in recent years, but in Petrovic, maybe Bournemouth have found their best yet.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man City and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Gene: A much better performance against a much better team with crisp, smart passing and better attacking. Rayan Cherki is getting more confident and showing creativity while Matheus Nunes has improved quite a lot as a right-back. They need to continue to build upon the teamwork and will gel as time goes on as the competition gets harder.

Anton: City will beat any team that come to play and not defend with a low block. My only gripe is poor set-pieces. They need a better set-piece coach.

Charlie: I thought the first-half performance by City was the best I've seen from them in 18 months.

Harry: There's nothing I can say about Erling Haaland that hasn't already been said. He makes me incredibly proud to be a Man City supporter and we have to cherish everything he does for us. Cherki is an absolute bargain and so unselfish - he's going to be a major asset. Besides the corner, Gianluigi Donnarumma was a stalwart in goal. So many positives but credit to Bournemouth, who were absolutely fearless at the Etihad and could have had more in the first half. Bring on Liverpool.

Bournemouth fans

Peter: Would have expected Veljko Milosavljevic to have started against Haaland as Bafode Diakite has already showed he struggles against big forwards like Jean-Philippe Mateta. Great to see Tyler Adams finally on the scoresheet, but Bournemouth will play better against Aston Villa next week. Now we have players back and the motivation to play better than we did against City, which was a tad disappointing. That shows how far this team has come.

M: It was OK. Some players were off it. We looked very open in defence and not much happened in attack. Antoine Semenyo had moments but was quiet. We need to be more aggressive going forward against teams like City.

Bob: Poor defensive tactics, why was Haaland given so much room?

Tim: Bournemouth's high line let Haaland in twice and injured Alex Jimenez was out of position for the third. However, there is so much to admire about Bournemouth. Upwards and onwards.

Pundits Michael Carrick and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 3-1 Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is Athletic Club's preferred option to become their manager if Ernesto Valverde does not renew his contract with them beyond next summer. (La Razon - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat at Etihad Stadium: "If you are going to get something from these kind of games, you need something special.

"In the first half, we pressed like we always do. They found our backs with the first two goals very well. You have to accept that sometimes when you play like this, they will punish us. I'm pleased with the performance overall.

"[Erling] Haaland is that good, he is in great form and it is very difficult to defend against him. We didn't want to change the way we were playing. He punished us two times because the timing wasn't there from our centre-backs.

"We started quite well. We fought and got to 1-1 but then came a lovely moment from them. In the second half, we were probably controlling more of the game, we were playing well and had two chances.

"Now we have another difficult game up next. The Premier League is very demanding and everything is super tight."

Bournemouth winger David Brooks also spoke to Sky Sports about the performance: "It was always going to be a tough game against Manchester City. It has probably been the hardest week to prepare for. We knew we had to come here and be the best version of ourselves, but a few minor details cost us.

"We looked to press but Manchester City are extremely comfortable on the ball. In the first half, we created a lot of opportunities for ourselves through the press but the big man up top for them - Erling Haaland - is always going to be a threat. It's almost impossible to prepare to face him. He is 6ft 5in, he is strong and he is a massive threat when the ball is falling to him. He took his chances well.

"The game got away from us in the end. The way we started shows where we are as a team and squad, there is no fear."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth have only won two of their past 11 Premier League away games (D5 L4), conceding two or more goals in eight of those matches.

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth sold a number of their key players this summer, but such has been their togetherness this term that this was only their second defeat after losing to defending champions Liverpool on the opening day.

If young forward Eli Kroupi had just held his run to meet David Brooks' cross and stay onside in the first minute, they might have just got something from the game.

But they were eventually overpowered by a Manchester City side as strong as they had been in this campaign, especially going forward.

The trio of Antoine Semenyo, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier all made their 100th appearances for the club, but could not prevent their side's eight-game unbeaten run coming to an end.

Bournemouth's dismal record against City has now seen them lose 16 of their 17 meetings, their only joy coming in a home victory last season.

But Andoni Iraola's men have enjoyed their best start to a top-flight campaign - and their enterprising play, determined approach and lack of fear should offer hope for the remainder.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester City's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola returns to a full strength side following his side's Carabao Cup win at Swansea City during the week.

There are eight changes in all with Phil Foden making his 200th league appearance for City. He will play alongside Frenchman Rayan Cherki.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is back in goal with captain Bernardo Silva also starting.

Tijjani Reijnders, a firm starter all season, is on the bench alongside the likes of John Stones, Omar Marmoush and the returning Rodri, who has not played since suffering a hamstring injury at Brentford a month ago.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Silva, Cherki, Foden, Doku, Haaland

Bournemouth make two changes after beating Nottingham Forest last time out.

Bafode Diakite and David Brooks come in to the side, with Veljko Milosavljevic and Justin Kluivert dropping to the bench.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Brooks, Tavernier, Semenyo, Kroupi

There are two games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• West Ham v Newcastle (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times GMT

Follow West Ham v Newcastle here

And go here for Man City v Bournemouth

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Newcastle" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Bournemouth".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Manchester City have won all eight of their home Premier League games against Bournemouth since 2015, scoring 31 goals and conceding five, but I still don't think anyone will be overly confident they will beat the Cherries this time.

City have been so reliant on their big number nine and their big goalkeeper this season, and that has to change. They need other players to step up.

It also feels like Pep Guardiola is making a mistake in choosing to ignore the rise in the importance of set-pieces and City are the only Premier League team to not score from one this season.

He says he wants to focus on creating more chances in open play, but it is proven that corners and throw-ins work so my advice to Guardiola is that it might be time for him to get some big players in and launch it!

I'm tempted to go for Bournemouth to get at least a draw here, because they will cut through City and get some chances, but instead I'm going to be brave and back Erling Haaland and City - mainly because they are at home but also because they have Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.

Bournemouth will score, but City will win. I've got Cherries keeper Djordje Petrovic in my Fantasy team at the moment, so I need to move him out.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Paul Birch
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth's stunning start to the season will breed confidence that they can secure a first-ever away win against a Manchester City side yet to hit top form. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes ahead of Sunday's clash.

Cherries seeking further success against Man City

Bournemouth had failed to register a single victory in any of their previous 21 matches against Manchester City before recording a famous 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium last December.

Now sitting in the lofty heights of second, and on an eight-game unbeaten run that dates back to the opening weekend of the season, Andoni Iraola's side have arguably their best-ever chance of picking-up a maiden victory away at City.

In top-flight history, only Manchester United (16 wins from 16 versus Luton) and City themselves (nine from nine against Swansea) have a better 100% home win rate against an opponent than the eight wins from eight City have enjoyed against Bournemouth.

The Cherries' superb start to the season of 18 points from nine games is their best-ever in the top flight, surpassing the 17 they won under Eddie Howe in 2018-19.

It is remarkable to think that Iraola failed to win any of his first nine league games in charge of Bournemouth and his job was called into question. He has since led the club to record points tallies in both his seasons in charge and is firmly on course to do the same again, with a first-ever European qualification a tantalising prospect.

Much has rightly been made of their incredible recruitment team and it looks like they have struck gold again with Eli Junior Kroupi. The 19 year-old Frenchman is aiming to become only the fourth teenager to score in four or more consecutive Premier League games after Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka and Francis Jeffers.

City looking to get more players scoring

City's defeat to Bournemouth last season not only ended their 32-match unbeaten top-flight run, but was the first of a four-match losing streak in the league from which the then-champions never really recovered.

After a shaky start to this campaign, Pep Guardiola's side had strung together a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions despite being a long way from their best. However, Aston Villa were quick to expose some familiar failings as they recorded a 1-0 win last Sunday.

That defeat marked the first time since 2013-14 that City have lost three of their opening nine games to a campaign. However, City fans can at least take solace from the fact they actually went on to win the league that season.

Questions remain over who is going to step up and score if Erling Haaland fails to find the target. His run of scoring in 12 games for club and country was halted by the Villans with his goal-shy team-mates again failing to find the net. Their next top scorer in the league is own goals with two, with only Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United having had fewer goalscorers than City's five.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad stadium (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola confirmed they are "in a good spot injury-wise" with forward Evanilson potentially being back in contention having "been training most of the week as normal with the rest of the team".

• He added: "Difficult for me to make decisions because I have to leave some players out of the squad. But it is good and a lovely place to be in that sense. We can approach the game in different ways."

• On how he can keep players happy: "To keep everyone happy is impossible. Everyone has to complain and natural it is like this and should be like this. Have to accept these things. Have to put the team first. What gives us the best chance to get something from the game, not just starting XI, but also from the bench."

• Iraola revealed he had lunch and chatted "about lots of different things" with owner Bill Foley this week, but they did not have a meeting about his contract and added: "We talk every day. We know each other, we will have time to talk [about contract] whenever we decide."

• On their start to the season and eight-game unbeaten run: "We are being competitive. We are not just winning easy games. All games we have played have been quite a level. We are being effective, efficient. Now, the challenge is bigger [against City], facing one of most difficult games you can in world football. We have to raise our level to have chance to take anything."

• The Cherries boss said he does not "care" about Erling Haaland as he only wants "to win the game", adding: "It is not about Haaland not scoring. If he scores two and we score three then I take it. He is their main goalscorer and in great form. It will be very difficult to stop him because he is scoring most games but a challenge we have to accept as defenders, as a group collectively."

• On if this match is a real test of where they are: "No, I want City to win every game, Liverpool to win every game, Arsenal to win every game. They are not our rivals. When they face other teams, I don't want them to lose any points. I want them to win every game because at end of the season we know we won't be there with those teams, we will be in our own fight."

Catch up on all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.

The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.

What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.

You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here

Chelsea are planning to replace manager Enzo Maresca with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer news and rumours? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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