Eddie Howe cut a naturally frustrated figure after last night’s 2-1 defeat to Marseille, where a five-minute collapse undid so much of our good work in the first half.
Speaking to the media from the Stade Velodrome, the boss gave a cagey reply to one French journalist who asked “why did you choose to start without a striker tonight?”.
Staring back with a look of bemusement and asking him to repeat the question, Howe explained and defended his decision to rest Nick Woltemade and start Anthony Gordon in that false nine role.
“We had a striker on the pitch…” he said. “With Nick, we have to rest and rotate because physically he’s giving a lot. We need to make sure he’s fit and available, established on the line, and we have to be very careful with his load.”
“Also, when he plays, I want him fresh and able to give his very best. He’s had a really intense period. He did well when he came on, though. I thought he helped our performance.”
The Athletic’s Chris Waugh also asked Howe to share his thinking after starting Gordon in a false nine role; something we’ve not seen since earlier in the season.
Explaining that switch, Howe said: “Two fold really. Protecting Nick and trying to give him the energy for future games, but also getting Anthony’s pace and direct running into the team.
“I thought he did well in the first half and played a big part in our press, helping us regain the ball high. That was all part of playing him.”
While Gordon in that central role has rarely worked, I understood Howe’s decision to protect Woltemade last night. We have nine games over the final 33 days of 2025 and no Wissa or Osula to currently call in, meaning our only fit out and out striker must be protected in the midst of this hectic schedule.
Watch the full post-match press conference below, which features Howe’s full assessment on another tough away day: