Now or never for Bournemouth as they look to save their season against Swansea City

Bournemouth have found life tough in recent times and have slipped five points below the playoff places following defeat to Barnsley at the weekend, but there is no time to rest on their laurels as they prepare for a visit from Swansea.

The Cherries had been in the playoff positions for the entirety of the season until a few weeks ago but their form has hit a real dip since the turn of the year and they are now paying the price for it.

They are currently embarking on a torrid run in the league which has seen them win just four times in their last 14 outings, resulting in their their season falling off a cliff after making such a strong start to the campaign.

The form of the likes of Barnsley and Cardiff has heaped the pressure on Jonathan Woodgate’s side who let a 2-1 half time lead slip at at the weekend in falling to defeat against the Tykes at the Vitality Stadium.

With just ten games now remaining in the season, it is looking incredibly difficult for the South Coast club to make an instant return to the Premier League despite having so much quality in the squad.

Despite being in poor form, winger Arnaut Danjuma has been one of those to stand out, again supplying an assist and netting a goal of his own, but it wasn’t enough as his side slipped to a 10th league defeat of the season.

The strike against the Yorkshire club was the Dutchman’s 9th of the season but he was frustrated in his post-match press conference after the game, admitting it’s going to be a real challenge for his side to reach the top six now.

“In all honesty I think we should’ve won on Saturday, because now we’ve got a mountain to climb that will be very difficult.”

“Then again, climbing a mountain is difficult but it’s not impossible. I would like to stay positive for the entire season and go for whatever is out there.”

“If you are going to lose, lose going all out, not two set plays. It was a bit similar as against Preston, in control of the game in the first half and then in the second half we are not turning up.”

It doesn’t get much easier for the Cherries as they host Steve Cooper’s Swansea side who have won three of their last four and are 13 points ahead of Woodgate’s men with have a game in hand.

The aim for Bournemouth now is to try and find some sort of consistency in their game in hope that Barnsley or Reading, their nearest challengers, have a slip up in the run-in between now and the end of the season, but the Cherries are still five points adrift of both clubs.

Last season, 70 points were required for a place in the top six but with Reading and Barnsley already on 61 with ten games remaining, you get the feeling it will be close to 80 that may be required for a place in the top six come the final day of the season.

Bournemouth have left themselves with it all to do but do have an opportunity to put some pressure on the Royals and the Tykes if they can claim all three points as they are playing 24 hours before the two sides directly above them in the table.

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