Howe to derail the Orient Express

We sang for the prodigal son, he appeared looking like James Bond, we sang all match, the first home win was delivered. Simple.

While the credit for the setting up of the team should go to Dennis Rofe there is no doubt that the extra burst of energy and will to win the ball back was down to the new boss sat high in the stand.

Bournemouth lined up 4-5-1 with Grabban and Pugh sometimes coming in to make a 4-3-3 and the midfield well protected by Hughes allowing O'Kane and Macdonald to push on. The ground and team crackled with more energy, Pugh in particular was on fire with tricks and turns galore. Barnard worked hard up front and it was much better than previous fayre this season without ever hitting the heights of Howe's last reign.

All the possession led to a lot of corners and free-kicks with Bournemouth still not having found any cutting edge - despite the improvement.

Orient were similarly lightweight in attack and the poor Sky woman had to face the camera after 20 minutes with absolutely nothing to say - which was in fact what she said!

The chance creation void was broken when O'Kane broke clean through but he elected to cut back on to his right foot and the moment had gone.

That was it for first half although Hughes limped off just before the whistle with a pulled hamstring to be replaced by Davids.

HT Bournemouth 0 L Orient 0

The second half started with a wall of noise as Eddie Howe's Barmy Army rang out from the North Stand willing the team forward. It continued for some 20 minutes and right up to the first goal. Bournemouth had again enjoyed the lion share of possession but the old failings of not getting crosses in or Grabban's first touch let them down continually. Davids was very impressive though spraying the ball about immensely well.

It was going to take something odd to break the deadlock and when it came it certainly confused the media and the poor girl from SKY who frantically asked the crowd who got it! Francis swung in yet another corner and the ball seemed to lightly flick off Pugh, an Orient defender and Grabban on the way in off the post. The tannoy gave it to Francis, Pugh celebrated it, both got credited with it in varying different media but GRABBAN seems to have grabbad (sic) the official accreditation.

There was no doubt about the second. Howe had signed only one of the players on the pitch and will be grateful that the enigmatic winger Pugh had not joined the exodus out of the club. The crowd favourite latching on to a poor back pass to race clear and then keep his head George Best style to round the keeper and then go round a defender on the six yard box for good measure before tapping in to send the crowd into ecstasy.

Following that it returned to normal fayre as the team played out the game. Daniels forced the keeper into a great save from a free-kick but that was it. Orient didn't have a shot on target all game.

FT Bournemouth 2 Orient 0

James 6 - Redundant but made a few rickets on nothing balls.

Francis 7 - Flew up and down well - Mr consistent this season.
Addison 7 - Nice and solid and distributed well.
Elphick 7 - Couple of slices but dominant when attacked.
Daniels 7 - Dovetailed well and enjoyed battle with old club.

Pugh 8 - Much enjoyed return to form of when Eddie was last here.
O'Kane 7 - Best game yet - good use of ball and harried well.
Hughes 6 - Was solid but very very deep.
(Davids 7) - Some great long and short passes.
Macdonald 6 - Worked harder than normal - not quite buzzing.
Grabban 6 - First touch dreadful and surely Mcquoid better there.

Barnard 6 - Worked hard but better suited to playing with strikers.

Pugh by a clear mile - like he threw a welcome home party of his own! In normal seasons this would have been an unremarkable game. In the current run of tedium though it was like a 4-4 draw between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Funny what relativity does to you! The difference between this and previous games was that every player tried significantly harder and the midfield was protected with three central ones. This effort led to two goalscoring chances being created and took.

A much improved performance than anything since February last year but still heaps of work for Eddie to do. He needs to find a midfield duo that can play without a third so he can unlock two strikers. Who should they be too? Whats the best right wing option? Will the centre backs cope against speed? The goalkeeper?

Plenty to ponder for the maestro but nobody better to solve it. In the meantime this keeps us ten points off the play offs with a long way to go and that's great news. We also kept a decent Orient side down to no chances and showed that they do care and can work hard. So glimmers of light as well as conundrums.

Welcome back Eddie.

Report by Neil Dawson

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