Saturday 29 August 2015 20:19, UK
Eddie Howe felt the loss of three players to injury made it difficult for Bournemouth in their 1-1 draw against Leicester City.
Left-back Charlie Daniels was treated in the closing stages of the first half and then replaced by Tyrone Mings - for his Premier League debut - during the interval.
But Mings, who needed oxygen on the pitch before being stretchered off, lasted just six minutes himself before being replaced, with Adam Smith becoming the Cherries' third left-back of the afternoon.
Winger Max Gradel, who had arguably been Bournemouth's most creative player, was taken off midway through the second half to complete a full house of enforced substitutions for Howe.
Howe admitted his players' misfortune prevented any tactical changes which might have stemmed the late Leicester tide which led to their equalising goal through a Jamie Vardy penalty.
"It was difficult for us with all of the injuries, especially in the second half," said Howe.
"It is quite strange that you see players go off in that manner in the same position, the same side of the pitch. But it wouldn't be fair to put that down to Leicester. It's a physical league and the pace of the game is incredibly tough on the body."
"It restricted us tactically and also from the guys' perspective to see their team-mate stretchered off. They are so tight here that it is a difficult one psychologically to handle."
Callum Wilson put Bournemouth in front with a superb overhead kick after 23 minutes and the striker, whose hat-trick helped seal a 4-3 win at West Ham in the previous round of Premier League fixtures, was again highly praised by his manager.
"It was another great finish from Callum," he said. "It wasn't an easy one for him to finish, but he caught it very well.
"It came at a stage in the game where we felt we were on top and deserved a goal for our efforts. I think we were very good value for the lead at half time."
