FRUSTRATION prevailed once more as Cherries were held to a 1-1 draw by Watford at Vitality Stadium. Here, we address the key factors of the performance... 

Bournemouth Echo:

MURRAY MINT

There were a lot of fingers twitching over the panic button when Callum Wilson got injured at Stoke.

In his pre-match press conference, Cherries manager Eddie Howe alluded to the need to tweak his side’s attacking approach to suit his strikers and it worked against Watford.

With greater emphasis on crossing to Glenn Murray, rather than push him towards Wilson’s natural abilities, the likes of Matt Ritchie and Simon Francis still flourished.

Cherries still created chances, just slightly different ones and another day, one where he is perhaps tuned in to the team’s pattern a little better, Murray might have bagged the extra goals his performance deserved.

Bournemouth Echo:

DROPPED POINTS ARE NOT A SIGNAL OF DOOM JUST YET

Frustrated fans and eye-rolling outsiders will look at the relatively small yield from seven strong Cherries performances and conclude that a struggle is on the cards.

But what we have seen is a side that is not renowned for flying starts to the season adapt to a new level and do so well.

The displays so far have exceeded many expectations and with the mixed form of sides throughout the league during the first eight matches, signs are that Cherries are just as capable of upsetting bigger teams as the sides that have managed to do so up to now.

Matches that new teams would normally write off have a different edge to them this season, an attitude you would fancy Cherries to embrace on current evidence.

Bournemouth Echo:

THE NEWLY-PROMOTED SIDES ARE NO WHIPPING BOYS

Having faced Norwich and now Watford, it is clear that the unfancied underdogs from the Championship have showed plenty of bite.

Watford, in flashes, looked good, particularly on the ball. Perhaps they will prove how good if they choose to play with greater expansion.

And while Cherries possess nowhere near the points they might have, they do still have twice as many as anyone in the bottom three – which includes a team that pinched three points from Dean Court.

Nobody needs telling Cherries have to turn performances into points, and fast, but look down the table, at least the performances are there.

Bournemouth Echo:

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The 55th minute.

Both sets of fans, the benches and the players did Mick Cunningham proud.

Watford supporters, take a bow. A true sign that the football family really does exist. 

MOAN OF THE MATCH

If only there had been just one. Nobody will feel worse than Artur Boruc and Glenn Murray, even now.

Crucial moments in a game Cherries should have sewn up and such a pity as both put in more than admirable performances.