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Over the years, Bournemouth have tended to rotate in the early rounds of the domestic cup competitions but due to a lack of form in the league, Jason Tindall may be tempted to try and get some players back in form ahead of a crucial month in the Championship.
Tonight, they face Crawley Town in the FA Cup, a side who have already beaten two teams above them in the football pyramid in AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United. The Cherries will need to be wary of the threat the League Two side could pose in a one-off game.
The south-coast side’s recent record in the competition will come as a concern, having only made it past the fourth round once in the last 31 seasons which will give the Red Devils real hope going into the tie.
Tindall’s men made it through to this stage with a comfortable 4-1 victory in the third round over another League Two side in Oldham Athletic whilst Crawley caused the biggest shock of the round, beating Premier League Leeds United 3-0.
Photo: AFC Bournemouth
Josh King was instrumental in the win against Oldham and is likely to be pivotal once more despite the continued talk about him moving back to the Premier League with his contract set to be up in the summer.
Bournemouth have had a week to prepare for this game with the tie originally postponed on Saturday due a Covid-19 outbreak at the League Two club last week which also saw them postpone their game against Stevenage last Tuesday.
Ultimately, the Championship side are seeking an instant return to the Premier League but have been in poor form of late in the league, winning just one of the last six. This may mean Tindall will go all out to try and beat the Red Devils, who have already shown what they are capable of this season.
The tie could give the Cherries boss a chance to give Jack Wilshere some more minutes after he re-joined the club on a short-term deal last week until the end of the season. It could also be the perfect opportunity to give Chris Mepham his first start since early December, having come on at half time against Derby County last week.
53 places separate the two teams going into this clash at the Vitality Stadium but Crawley will take great heart from the way they were able to play in the previous round.
The last meeting between the two sides came all the way back in 2012, when Crawley beat the Cherries 3-1 in League One, club captain Steve Cook is the only Bournemouth’ player who remains at the club, he was an unused sub on that occasion.
A busy few days ahead…
? Crawley Town
? FA Cup
? Tuesday 26th January?️ Reading
? Championship
? Friday 29th JanuaryThe hard work continues ? pic.twitter.com/9Q99PiE847
— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) January 25, 2021
It will be a hard balancing act for Tindall with a crucial trip to Reading set to follow on Friday evening before another midweek game against Sheffield Wednesday next Tuesday so he will be mindful of using his squad in this game but also be strong enough to see off John Yem’s side.
The match must be settled on the day with no replays in play this season, meaning extra time and penalties will be played if required.
The Red Devils are bidding to reach the fifth round of the tournament for the first time since the 2011-2012 season when they were beaten 2-0 by Stoke City, having seen off higher opposition in the shape of Hull City and Bristol City in the previous rounds.
Burnley lie in wait for the winners at Turf Moor in the fifth round for the winners after the Clarets easily saw off Scott Parker’s Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
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