Relegation rivals can sense Bournemouth slide, says Kilbane
Bournemouth are in real danger of being hauled into the Premier League relegation dogfight, according to Kevin Kilbane.
The Cherries’ stuttering form has left them just six points clear of the relegation zone and 14th in the division.
They have not won in the league in 2017, and on Saturday take on a West Bromwich Albion side who have flourished under Tony Pulis this season.
The Baggies are eighth, and beat the Cherries 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium in September.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
And Kilbane believes Eddie Howe’s side’s relegation rivals can smell blood as they see Bournemouth sliding towards the wrong end of the table.
“Bournemouth have been on a poor run and, all of a sudden, with the form of the teams below them, they will be looking behind them,” he said.
“They will see Hull and Swansea getting better and better. If you are either of those two teams, or Crystal Palace, Sunderland or Middlesbrough, you will be targeting Bournemouth as the next team to suck into the battle.
“Bournemouth’s players are probably looking over their shoulders, which inadvertently creates a little bit of fear – when you are on a bad run that fear inevitably sets in at some stage.”
