The Lads Have To Step Up Big Time

Like conceding late goals, us fans calling for no repeat of the poor performance in our last game - this time the awful one against Sunderland - is becoming almost the norm.

Those late goals and 'holey cokey' in out performances and results have got even Eddie Howe now admitting that he doesn't know how a game will pan out. That is an honest, but worrying, admission.

I've got no doubt that Eddie is doing, and has done all season, everything in his powers to address the issues in training and give the motivational talks that are needed.

But, it isn't having the effect that he and us fans have come to expect.

Late and second choice signings, injuries and a heavy match schedule have all been used as reasons why we haven't been able to hit a consistent run of form.

However that still doesn't explain, nor is it any excuse, for what appears to be a lack of fight, energy and tactical adaptability in games.

What makes the situation even more brittle is that we now have injuries across the back four that have got us down to the bare bones of defensive cover.

Eddie either sticks with playing Tino, Schar, Thiaw and Hall in every game over the hectic Xmas schedule - and risks fatigue or further injuries - or he rotates with players who aren't anywhere near their level.

In short, Eddie and his coaching team have a hell of a lot on their plate.

A win against Fulham will help, but we need far more

Beating Fulham is a must, not only to get through to the SF but also to help put the Sunderland defeat behind us and, crucially, to go into Saturday's match against Chelsea on the back of a win.

Beat Chelsea and we go within 3pts of them... lose and we will be 9pts adrift and possibly 14pts behind 3rd place Aston Villa.

If we want to keep in touch with the top 4 beating Chelsea is critical to our season.

So...

First we need to beat Fulham tonight - and then Chelsea on Saturday.

Two wins will definitely put some juice in the confidence tank and ease the negativity that has surrounded Eddie, the team and fans since Sunday.

Whoever Eddie picks to start, whoever comes on as a sub....

Whatever he has demanded in training, and whatever motivational talk he gives before the two games...

Every player that takes the field needs to give it 100%. Nothing else is acceptable.

Because, the next two games could be season defining.

Not just for the team, but possibly even for Eddie Howe.

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