Eddie Howe has admitted that it “feels a little flat” in the dressing room as our performance in Sunday’s 4-1 win at Southampton “didn’t hit the heights” we’ve set in recent weeks.
It says everything you need to know about the standards we’ve set this season to hear that from Howe after the game, with this a frightening message to ‘big six’ rivals currently behind us in the table.
Elsewhere, Howe also confirmed that Callum Wilson’s withdrawal at half-time was nothing to worry about, insisting it was NOT injury related and instead due to feeling “light-headed and dizzy” after being unwell all week.
As for Kieran Trippier, the boss has revealed that he was “fine” to continue after holding his hamstring before half time, with his late withdrawal a decision made by the coaching staff to “protect him.”
Here’s what Howe had to say after the game, believing our clinical finishing was the highlight on a soaking afternoon at St Mary’s.
Howe on the result, performance and unbeaten run:
“I’m very pleased with the result, the performance wasn’t our best but I’m not going to pick it to pieces. It was a tough game for us, Southampton dropped into the bottom three yesterday so we knew they would show a reaction.
“We were not at our best but we scored four wonderful goals. It feels a little flat because we didn’t hit the heights which we have in other weeks, but we were clinical when we needed to be.
“It’s important in our position (3rd) now that we do think back because last year we were in a really difficult position (bottom three) and it’s very quickly been forgotten, so I’ve encouraged the players to really enjoy the moment we’re in now and really soak it in what they’re achieving because it was a very difficult game today.
“It’s a tough place to come and I thought the goals were the highlight in our performance.”
Howe on Callum Wilson:
“Callum wasn’t that well in the week and felt light-headed and dizzy so that’s why he came off.”
“It was a joint decision, he didn’t feel he had the energy needed and it was easy decision to replace him with Chris, who came on and got the job done.
“When you look at today’s performance it was below from where have been but we still won 4-1.”
Howe on Kieran Trippier:
“I’m not sure what happened in terms of him getting treatment. He said he was fine at half-time to carry on.
“It was my decision to withdraw him at 3-0 just to protect him.”
