Friday 20 January 2017 13:50, UK
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes his team must stop conceding soft goals as they look to rediscover their early season form.
The Cherries had been looking to push on into the top half of the table following a solid opening to the campaign.
But the New Year has yielded just one point - from a draw against Arsenal where they had been 3-0 up at home - and also resulted in an early exit from the FA Cup at Millwall before losing at relegation-battlers Hull City last weekend.
Bournemouth have conceded nine goals in the past three outings, and Howe says his side have to address the problems starting with the Premier League clash against Watford.
"It doesn't sound great, that statistic, and it is not something we will hide from," Howe said.
"It is a strange one, the lads have produced some heroic defensive performances at times, but the goals have come from nothing, when we have been in control.
"None more so than last week when we dominated at Hull and the first time they get really near our box, we concede.
"The only thing you can do is to work harder on all aspects of the team, that is a very obvious statement, but the whole team has to function together.
"We have not been good to watch since the Arsenal game and this weekend is a good chance for us to put things right."
But Howe is braced for a tough encounter when Walter Mazzarri's side arrive in Bournemouth on Saturday.
"Watford have some very talented players and tactically are very good," Howe added.
"They have reverted to a back three which served them well at times last season and they are very well managed. There has always been very little between the teams.
"But this game has to be about ourselves and making sure that off the back of our last two games, we improve.
"Following our recent games, we have to try to be tighter at the back and be ruthless when we get those chances."
