AFC Bournemouth will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Tottenham when they travel to Elland Road to face Leeds on Saturday afternoon. Nerve Sport were at Gary O’Neil’s press conference on Thursday, when he spoke to the media previewing the clash.
Tottenham’s dramatic second-half comeback at the Vitality Stadium last week meant that Bournemouth have now suffered three defeats in a row under interim boss Gary O’Neil. A strong start to life under O’Neil has ensured that they are still above the relegation zone, but defeat to Leeds on Saturday could leave them in the bottom three come the end of the weekend.
Leeds United will come into the game off the back of a fantastic win at Anfield. A 2-1 victory against Jurgen Klopp’s men relieved pressure on manager, Jesse Marsch, but defeat to Bournemouth will pile it straight back on. With Elland Road considered one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League, Bournemouth will face a tough test up north.
Injury update:
More disappointing news for AFCB fans as O’Neil revealed this weekend’s game will come too early for the trio of injuries that the squad currently have. Lloyd Kelly, David Brooks and Neto will all miss the game. O’Neil also confirmed that Neto will almost certainly be out until after the World Cup. As for Kelly and Brooks, O’Neil was hesitant to confirm that they would also be out until after the World Cup, giving some hope that one or both could at least return to the bench for one of the two Everton games that lead into the World Cup. A return for David Brooks especially is one that Bournemouth fans have been looking forward to and willing on ever since he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in October 2021.
A return to winning ways is now a need, not a must:
As mentioned, Bournemouth and Leeds are very close in the table, therefore it’s a game that could prove all so important come the end of the season. Talking in his press conference to Nerve Sport O’Neil said that despite the importance points wise, no extra pressure is added to the game, instead choosing to take a positive outlook, saying:
“It’s a game against a team that we feel we can go and be competitive against, It’s a game we can go and attack and give ourselves a real good chance of coming away with a really good result.”
Speaking to other media, O’Neil admitted:
“It’ll be a big test going to Elland Road it’s always a tough place to go, especially the way they play at the moment being so front foot and so aggressive.”
O Neil is not worried that the atmosphere or sense of occasion will get to his players, as he singled out how well they delt with hostile atmospheres at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
One player who will be hoping to make the matchday squad is Emi Marcondes. He has struggled to break into the first team this season, and recently put out a post on social media saying he knows his time and he will just need to be patient. On his number 11, O’Neil commented:
“Emi always has a chance to play for the first team, he’s working really hard and he’s always a goal threat but I’m not sure when his chance will come in the starting XI.”
Leeds vs Bournemouth kicks off at 3pm this Saturday at Elland Road.