'Goals should be expected': What Middlesbrough can expect from Jason Tindall's Bournemouth at the Riverside

Bournemouth appointed former assistant Jason Tindall as their new manager in August and are one of the favourites to win promotion.

We caught up with Peter Rutzler who covers Bournemouth for The Athletic to get the inside track on Boro’s next opponents.

1. How has Bournemouth's pre-season gone and how are they shaping up?

PR: “Some key personnel have gone; Callum Wilson, Nathan Ake and Aaron Ramsdale the most notable. But so far, Bournemouth have managed to retain a strong core of Premier League talent which should hold them in good stead.

“There is of course a fair bit of time to go before the window shuts but the likes of Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma and David Brook all appear to be Jason Tindall's plans.

“With that squad they were able to compete very well against Benfica and then secured an impressive 5-3 win over West Ham - a bit of a throwback performance to Bournemouth of old, whereby they'd try to outscore the opposition.

“Over the last year or so that trademark has faded somewhat so to see that reinstated by Tindall was encouraging for supporters. It continued on the opening day with a 3-2 win over Blackburn.”

2. What formation will Bournemouth play?

PR: “Tindall has already appeared to make his mark stylistically by adopting a 3-4-3/ 5-4-1 when out of possession.

“Bournemouth fans are used to seeing a back three; Eddie Howe would deploy it on occasion. But the former boss was more wedded to a 4-4-2 so seeing a different set-up with just the one striker was intriguing.

“In Jack Stacey and Diego Rico or Adam Smith, Bournemouth have attack minded full-backs and the system seemed to bring the best out of Arnaut Danjuma, who is showing signs of kicking on this year after an injury-interupted debut campaign.”

3. Who are the players Boro will need to keep an eye on, and what’s the latest on injuries?

PR: “Jason Tindall has no major concerns ahead of this weekend's clash. Joshua King is back in training, which is a huge boost, but he's working his way back to full fitness.”

4. What’s the aim this season?

PR: “Promotion is the aim for Bournemouth. Owner Maxim Demin outlined his intentions following the club's relegation , insisting he wants the team back in the top flight.”

5. What’s the feeling among supporters about Jason Tindall?

PR: “A few had reservations about his appointment. For them, they wanted a clean break from the Eddie Howe era, and with Tindall having no managerial experience at this level, they feared he'd be a risk.

“But the majority were accepting of it and want him to do well. With such a tight turnaround, bringing in a new manager into the set-up would require a great deal of change across the club, and that just isn't practical.“

6. Finally, what’s your score prediction?

PR: “A 3-2 win for Bournemouth. They're back in free-scoring mode and they do still harbour some nervy moments at the back as well. Goals should be expected.”

Predicted line-up: Travers; Stacey, Mepham, Cook, Kelly, Rico; Stanislas, L Cook, Lerma; Danjuma; Solanke.

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