Squad depth can be the key to Bournemouth charge

Jason Tindall believes Bournemouth can stay at the top of the Championship table after reaching the summit on Saturday afternoon.

The second-tier weekend began when Middlesbrough beat Derby County 2-0 to leapfrog the Rams into first place, but they themselves were the replaced at the head of the table when the Cherries recorded a sensational 5-3 success against Cardiff City. This puts them level on points with Aitor Karanka’s side and despite having the same goal difference, they lead on goals scored.

This has been a sensational start to the campaign for Eddie Howe’s side, who are now unbeaten in their last 11 matches, a run stretching back to the end of September. And that five separate players were on target against the Bluebirds – Matt Richie, Harry Arter, Marc Pugh, Yann Kermorgant and Callum Wilson – was particularly pleasing for assistant manager Tindall.

“For us to be top of the Championship before Christmas is a great achievement and our aim now is to build on that and extend our lead at the top,” he said. “I’m not sure we really anticipated winning it 5-3 but we will take it because top is the position we want to be in. But the fact that we are top and all five goals were scored by different players shows just how good this squad can be.”

Bournemouth will no doubt fancy their chances of extending their unbeaten run further next weekend, when they travel north to face bottom-placed club Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Before that, though, they have the small matter of the visit of Liverpool to Dean Court on Wednesday evening, the winner of which will progress to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup.

Do Bournemouth have what it takes to clinch promotion to the Premier League? Let us know what you think by joining in the discussion below.

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