'Cloud hangs over' Rose's underperforming Cherries - Partington

[Getty Images] Bournemouth's 1-0 loss against Liverpool saw Marco Rose's side head into the international break failing to register a single win in their opening five league games of the season. Questions are now being raised about squad depth, tactics and how Rose's team are not able to capitalise on leads in games. The Cherries have made just two changes to their Premier League starting XIs under their new boss this season - the fewest of any side. It's the least changes to a starting XI by any manager in his first five Premier League games since Roberto de Zerbi with Brighton in October 2022 (one). Former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington told BBC Radio Solent's Cherries Unpicked podcast that the side lack "conviction, creativity and a lack of ideas in those final moments". "There is no lack of effort or desire," he said. "Sometimes the atmosphere fizzles out in the stadium and it becomes disgruntled. People question substitution choices." Against the Reds was the first time Bournemouth failed to attempt 10 or more shots in a Premier League home game in 2026 (nine), last doing so in December 2025 v Everton . Although Partington believed much of the performance against Liverpool was "encouraging", Rose's wait for a first league win goes on. "All Bournemouth needs to do to answer those questions is win a game. Is there a depth of quality? I'm not 100% sure," he added. "We have seen Bournemouth play well, but it is not enough to play well, they have got to win games." Before facing former boss Andoni Iraola, the Cherries had led every league game by at least a goal before capitulating and suffering three draws and two losses. "At the moment, the narrative is - are Bournemouth going to win the next game? That is the cloud that hangs over them." Listen to the full episode of Cherries Unpicked on BBC Sounds here