Eddie Howe reflected on yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton with mixed emotions, feeling it was a decent point in the end but one that could’ve been more after we were the one side looking to win the match in both halves.
A late penalty from Alexander Isak helped us avoid defeat, but few can deny just how huge Sunday’s home clash with Chelsea now looks, with the two sides only separated by goal difference with three games left to play.
With that in mind, it’s worth taking a closer look at Howe’s post-match comments as he explained why two players were withdrawn late on as we pushed for a winner.
Even with us chasing a goal in the final minutes of the game, Howe opted to bring Emil Krafth and Sven Botman on for Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier as we headed towards extra time.
This has sparked fresh concern over both defenders’ fitness, although it seems like Schar is the main concern after Trippier was forced off with cramp.
“I’m not 100% sure with Faby,” Howe said. “Faby was limping, I don’t know whether that’s cramp or a muscle issue, so I’d need to check. Kieran, I’m pretty sure was cramp.”
With Botman slowly returning to fitness, we have options on Sunday should Schar miss out, but we’ll have to hope it’s nothing after we’ve already lost Joelinton and Hall for the season.
Howe worked alongside Graeme Jones for Sunday’s game, as Jason Tindall was serving a one game suspension following the yellow card he picked up in our 3-0 win over Ipswich just over a week ago.
Still recovering from his own pneumonia battle, Howe also gave us an update on his own wellbeing, and it looks like good news for the pair ahead of next week’s game, with Tindall back from a ban and Howe feeling stronger each day.
“Yeah I was feeling a bit stronger today, my normal self on the frontline, and happy that I felt well enough to do that.”
“Certainly we miss Jason because he’s got a big opinion and he’s a big character, it will be great to have him back this week.”
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