Artur Boruc has suggested Bournemouth’s ailing players need to get back to the training ground and redouble their efforts if they are to recover from successive heavy defeats and revive hopes of Premier League survival.
The goalkeeper endured a torrid afternoon at home to Tottenham on Sunday, when the promoted team succumbed to a second 5-1 loss in a row, and appeared to be at fault for three of the goals. He might have conceded another penalty on top of those mistakes after tripping Harry Kane, though he has denied he was more culpable than others having been left exposed by the team’s overall performance.
“Some people say that, but that isn’t how it is,” said Boruc when asked about his role in conceding an early spot-kick for upending Kane, and then spilling centres for Érik Lamela and Kane to convert further goals for Spurs. “Talking is not going to do any good to me just now. As a football club we need to take our arses back to the training ground and work hard on some of the things we need to do. I will get down to the training ground and try and prove myself – I have nothing more to say.”
Boruc missed the 5-1 defeat at Manchester City the previous weekend having injured himself in the warm-up at the Etihad Stadium, and Adam Federici was left just as vulnerable by Bournemouth’s attack-minded approach.
Their manager, Eddie Howe, has been denied a number of key players with long-term injury and has admitted his side have been guilty of naivety at times in their first top-flight season. Yet he retains hope they will recover their poise over what remains of the season, with the team still two points outside the relegation zone.
Kane’s hat-trick condemned them to their latest heavy defeat, with the England striker claiming Spurs, now unbeaten in nine Premier League games, subjected Bournemouth to “one of our best performances” to date. “I feel I have been playing well all season,” said the 22-year-old. “Sometimes, as a striker, you need a bit of luck to come your way and I got that against Bournemouth. You have got to be ready to take your chances when they come.
“But I’m delighted to get the ball rolling. We pressed high and played well with the ball, created a lot of chances and were very pleased with how we played, but it doesn’t stop here. There is still a long way to go and that starts next Monday against Aston Villa.”
