Jamie Redknapp: Bournemouth can defy odds and beat relegation
Monday 2 November 2015 08:30, UK
They've been hit by a staggering injury list and have won only twice all season, but Jamie Redknapp says there's no reason why Bournemouth can't survive in the Premier League.
The Sky Sports pundit and former Cherries midfielder was at St Mary's to see Eddie Howe's side continue a three-game losing run with a 2-0 defeat to Southampton, leaving them one point above the relegation zone.
First-half goals from Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle were enough to claim the south-coast bragging rights, but Redknapp was encouraged by Bournemouth's positive display in the second half.
He was joined in the Super Sunday studio by injured captain Tommy Elphick and backed them to launch a survival bid, despite having a number of key players out with long-term injuries.
"I don't want to make excuses but they've been decimated by injuries," Redknapp said.
"We've got the captain sat next to us here. When Callum Wilson gets injured, then Max Gradel would probably be the person you're bringing in and he's done his cruciate ligament.
"It's extremely difficult, but what I like about Eddie Howe is he never makes excuses and just gets on with it.
"Now I look at the league table and I think to myself there's no reason Bournemouth can't stay up. They've got good quality in their team and they've got a way of playing.
"I looked at Sunderland [losing 6-2 to Everton] today and they're not going to win that many games. Aston Villa have got major problems, as have Newcastle. I think Chelsea have got enough to stay up - and that's a joke, by the way.
"If you look at the other teams around them, even Swansea are starting to get dragged in at the moment.
"I think Bournemouth have got to keep believing. I don't think anybody expects them to stay up now because of their injuries.
"There's no reason why they can't stay up. They showed today that in the way they play they have a real belief and a manager who is top class.
"They won't panic at all."
