JASON Tindall insists he remains open to the idea of switching formations, stating: "Sometimes your hand is forced with the personnel that you've got available."

After regularly alternated between starting games with a back four and a back three in the early months of the season, Tindall has stuck with lining up with three central defenders since the 3-2 home defeat by Preston at the beginning of December.

Goals and results have dried up in recent weeks with Cherries netting just three goals and picking up five points from their past five Championship fixtures.

On the flip side, the defensive record has improved with Tindall's men conceding only four times in nine league games since the Preston loss.

Asked if he is now wedded to the idea of a back three as opposed to regularly switching formations, Tindall told the Daily Echo: "It’s not that, a lot of it depends on the personnel. We did very well when we went to a back four when we had (Arnaut) Danjuma fit.

"But when you’ve got a player of Danjuma’s quality that hasn’t been available for 10 games, you then have to try and work out the best way to play with the players you’ve got available.

"That’s been a reason as to why we’ve gone with the three at the back.

"We’ve been solid with that way, we haven’t conceded many goals from open play when we’ve played that way.

"But sometimes your hand is forced with the personnel that you’ve got available to you."