The Daly Brief | Bournemouth vs Spurs, Premier League | OneFootball

"Bournemouth are winless in 11, but recent performances suggest victory is around the corner. Questions remain about the involvement of one of the club’s most important players, while Spurs likely have to reshuffle after Mo Kudus’s injury, too."

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

Will Antoine Semenyo play?

Despite talk of an impending exit, Andoni Iraola said on Tuesday 'Antoine (Semenyo) will play' against Spurs - before adding no deal has been agreed yet. “For me, he is our player and I hope he continues. My understanding, because I have been in other markets before, not just at this club, (but) in others, there is a chance this is his last game.” Semenyo’s qualities are obvious - and certainly were during Bournemouth’s 1-0 win at Spurs back in August. His power, pace, close ball control, strength and extremely direct running have caused many teams problems – plus only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have more goals than his 9 in the Premier League this season.

Which key attacker is missing?

There was bad news for Bournemouth ahead of this game with Justin Kluivert ruled out after an injury picked up against Arsenal. The versatile forward, so affective in the 10 position with his skill and direct play, requires knee surgery that will keep him out for months. The Dutchman hasn’t quite been as prolific this campaign (2 goals, 0 assists) after a standout 24/25 for Bournemouth, having scored 12 Premier League goals and claimed 6 assists too. It’s an injury, coupled with Semenyo’s potential departure, that has Iraola calling on the club to make signings this window.

Who replaces Kluivert tonight?

Eli Junior Kroupi is an obvious candidate to come in – the 19-year-old striker who belted in a thunderous long range effort in the weekend loss to Arsenal. The striker has adapted superbly having stepped up from the 2nd tier of French football to play in the Premier League – scoring six goals already. However, using him alongside Evanilson may not be an option right now, with Iraola admitting he feels the team becomes too light in midfield. “I have to find a way where he can give us more things because when we play with two strikers, I feel like we lose control a little bit in games.” Amine Adli, mainly a winger, was also lively when he came on against Arsenal.

Why haven't Bournemouth won since October?

An August win in N17 was part of on a seven game unbeaten run for Bournemouth, as they climbed to second after beating Nottingham Forest on 26 October. Some defeats in their 11-game winless sequence since are understandable – losses at Manchester City and Aston Villa, while they gave Arsenal a fright as they went down 3-2 at the weekend. But points dropped at home to West Ham (1-1), Everton (0-1) and Burnley (1-1) have seen them drop to 15th. Iraola’s football is daring - they press very aggressively and his side break at pace, with bodies, when they get possession – but that can come at a cost. Brentford especially exploited their highline recently, with Igor Thiago doing a superb job of holding up the ball before playing in quick wingers like Kevin Schade – who got a hat-trick in a 4-1 win. "It's quite easy to see our problems. We are one of the teams that scores more goals, but we’re one of the teams that concedes more goals too," Iraola said yesterday, adding his team are not doing 'the right things' when defending their box. Disrupted seasons to anchoring midfielders like Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie and Tyler Adams (out with an injury) hasn’t helped either – while they have a near whole new backline after summer sales of Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and others.

How to cope without Kudus...

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Mo Kudus is 'likely' out of tonight’s game after going off against Sunderland. Xavi Simons returns from suspension, a boost no doubt, but there are some big calls up front – especially on the both wings. “I think also it's fair, there's no-one who's really grabbed that shirt on the left-hand side so I think that's definitely up for grabs,” explained Frank when asked about Mathys Tel’s contribution in that position on Sunday. Wilson Odobert looked sharp, in the first half especially, playing in the 10 position, and it feels like the kind of game where his running ability, with and without the ball, is needed regardless of what position he plays. Lucas Bergvall was back as a sub on Sunday and could be the number 10, while Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison can play through the middle or up front.

Last time at the Vitality...