Opposition View: Bournemouth

- Commentator Kris Temple assess Bournemouth's start to the new Premier League season
- The Cherries have just one win to their name and sit a solitary point below the Foxes in the league
- However, Temple says it is just a matter of time before Eddie Howe's men climb the standings
- Victory over Brighton & Hove Albion gave Bournemouth confidence, Temple believes

The Cherries have three points after six Premier League matches but they could leapfrog City with a second consecutive home victory over Craig Shakespeare's men at Vitality Stadium this weekend.

Speaking to LCFC Radio ahead of this latest encounter between the two sides, Temple said: "Bournemouth have had a relatively mixed start to the season.

"Obviously, they were very slow out of the blocks.

"The first four matches were almost divided in half. West Brom and Watford were their first two games and then it was Manchester City and Arsenal.

"They may have looked at those four and thought 'we need to get something from those opening two matches otherwise it could start to be difficult'.

"As it turned out, they didn't get any points from those games and they didn't look anything like the Bournemouth we saw all of last season, even with their new signings in tow.

"That added yet more pressure to the Brighton game, which was a south coast affair and the expectation was on Bournemouth to win. At least they managed to get a win.

"It settled everybody down. They then beat Brighton again in the Carabao Cup but they lost a lead at Everton; they switched off and it ultimately cost them Premier League points."

However, the signs of recovery have been there for Eddie Howe's men and they will be confident of replicating last season's top half finish once they regain form.

Temple added: "To sum up, you would have to say it has been a below-par start but they have performed well in many of their games, particularly for long periods against Manchester City.

"It's a slow start, there is lots more to come, but you don't want to be giving teams above you a head start in the Premier League."

For more, join Sam Putnam, Chris Coles and Gerry Taggart on LCFC Radio at Vitality Stadium from 2pm on Matchday Live.