Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 12

Danjuma looks like being Bournemouth's new goal machine

Arnaut Danjuma is already making a name for himself in the Championship. His third goal of the season was recorded on Wednesday night having already scored against Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City. Most importantly, Danjuma is becoming a match-winner and even with only a few minutes to impress against Bristol City Danjuma got many of the plaudits.

Danjuma is finding that he can be Bournemouth's big goal threat.
Danjuma seems you to be picking up great positions in and around the box and his first couple of goals were strikes from distance. He has perhaps gone under the radar of some teams as Dominic Solanke, Junior Stanislas and Josh King are the big names that will instantly attract attention from the opposition. It may be harder for Danjuma to sneak into advanced positions as opposition teams become wiser to him, but he is showing that he is becoming very calm when given an opportunity to score.

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Jason Tindall has also been able to let Danjuma come infield a bit more with the 3-4-3 formation which suits Danjuma. He is very good at cutting inside and finishing with his right foot from the left-wing and I really think that Danjuma will nail down that position as the season goes on.

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The speed and close control Arnaut has are getting him past defenders and his desire to get the goals are probably what has been missing in other Bournemouth strikers, who are not so intent on getting the goals themselves. His directness blends well with Solanke who is perhaps excellent at making assists and setting up others, even when he could shoot more often. But Solanke is upping his shot count, and it bodes very well if Danjuma and Solanke can get a really good understanding going.

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In other news, Cherry Chimes appeared on the Rams Review Podcast this week to preview the match up next against Derby County - click here to go to the podcast

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Super sub Danjuma sinks Bristol City at Dean Court

Super sub Danjuma sinks Bristol City at Dean Court 1-0

 Match report18 October 2020AFCB 1 v 0 Bristol City
It is still not the fluent Bournemouth we want to see but an Arnaut Danjuma goal, having come on from the subs bench, late on in the second half is going to lift the mood at Dean Court. Bournemouth had struggled to get any clean strike on target and had been fortunate not to go behind when King cleared a shot off the line, and Bristol came close with Diédhiou hitting the post in the first half. Bournemouth played with more fire in the second half and the goal was an excellent reward having stepped up the performance. But the Championship is not proving an easy ride and Bournemouth have plenty to work on in front of goal.
Danjuma gets the job done.
Jason Tindall brought Dan Gosling into the centre of midfield, Solanke started upfront, Adam Smith came into the left wing-back position and Junior Stanislas started on the right-wing. Jefferson Lerma was injured while Philip Billing, Diego Rico and Arnaut Danjuma moved to the bench.Advertisement The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
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Match ReportBournemouth could go second with a win tonight. The Cherries keep the ball well at the start, but then Bristol get the first shot away from Semenyo who shoots wide from the centre of the box.

Diédhiou is offside. A chance for Bournemouth to get forward. Bristol City are pressing well and Bournemouth are making slow progress to get out of their own half.

Josh King is offside from a Lewis Cook pass. Solanke is tripped on the edge for the box. Bournemouth have a central free kick. Step up Mr Stanislas. Junior fires the kick just past the left post.

Diédhiou is offside again. Bournemouth won't mind that if the flag keeps going up. Adam Smith has been fouled. Taylor Moore has conceded corner to Bournemouth with Jack Stacey doing well.

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Adam Smith makes a good tackle to stop a Bristol City break. Adam Smith gets in an offside position. Stanislas blasts the ball across the box but King can't get to it. Bakinson takes aim and forces a save from Begovic, corner to Bristol City. Diédhiou has headed over.

Stacey is getting forward but has been fouled by Rowe. Solanke does well on the turn and puts in a cross but it is cleared for a corner with King coming in. The keeper drops the ball but gets away with it.

Bristo City go close with the ball coming off Steve Cook for a corner. Josh King clears off the line from the corner and Kalas' header. All the other games tonight in the Championship have had a goal. Bournemouth have kept clean sheets in their last two home games, but they nearly conceded then.

Begovic finds Solanke with a long ball. The striker forces a save from Bentley. Steve Cook goes for a bicycle kick but his foot is too high. Josh King fouls. Mepham wins a free kick in his own half.

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Semenyo wins a free kick. Begovic saves off the post from Diédhiou for a Bristol City corner.

AFCB Possession 50%, shots 2, shots on target 0, corners 3, fouls 3
Bristol City Possession 50%, shots 6, shots on target 1, Corners 4, fouls 6
Second halfNo changes at half time. King does well chasing down a ball but Gosling can't control it and shoots wide. Adam Smith finds King in space but he is blocked.
Bournemouth have started better this half. Solanke passes to King who backheels but Solanke is blocked. Lloyd Kelly wins a free kick.

Kelly crosses for Solanke and his flick hits the far post - close! Kelly is getting forward and Stanislas comes inside but shoots wide. Bournemouth are piling on the pressure but still haven't managed a shot on target. It has to be time for Danjuma soon.

Solanke has a shot blocked. Bournemouth have a corner. Stacey fouls. Begovic saves a header from Diédhiou.Advertisement
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Lewis Cook has a shot but it's right at the keeper - at least that is a shot on target. Lloyd Kelly into Solakne, he goes down but not a penalty. Stanislas makes a foul.

Danjuma replaces Stanislas on 76 minutes, not before time Tindall used his subs. Solanke has a shot that goes wide.Advertisement Ebook version of The Disrupted season £9.99
Chris Brunt replaces Semenyo on 78 minutes. Danjuma has a go from far out but shoots wide. 80 minutes and Bournemouth take the lead. Adam Smith plays it through to Solanke. Solanke and Danjuma combine and Danjuma chips it over Bentley to make it 1-0. It was a great touch from Solanke, but Danjuma had to be quick to make the finish from an acute angle. Danjuma's third goal of the season.
Chris Martin and Nakhi Wells are on for Diédhiou and Jack Hunt as Bristol City chase the game on 82 minutes.
Adam Smith shoots but it's an easy save for Bentley. Bournemouth are starting to increase their shots on target.
Into added time. Bristol City have a free kick, foul by Adam Smith. Steve Cook heads away.
Advertisement Coastal Garden BuildingsSummaryBournemouth found it hard at first to get forward in this game. They tried to play positively but just weren't getting shots on goal and Bristol Cty were good opposition. The whole game changed when Danjuma came on. He has the Midas touch in front of goal at the moment and scored a great goal when he combined with Solanke. The clean sheet will also be pleasing with Begovic playing well and King clearing one off the line in the first half, while Steve Cook was like a wall in defence. It was a narrow win but the three points put Bournemouth second six points behind Reading in second place. A good night's work.
AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Rico, Billing, Riquelme, Danjuma, Surridge
Bristol City
1 Bentley. 22 Kalas, 23 Moore, 26 Vyner, 2 Hunt (Martin 82),  10 Paterson, 30 Bakinson,
11 O'Dowda, 25 Rowe, 18 Semenyo (Brunt 78), 9 Diédhiou (Wells 82)

Bristol City Subs
3 Dasilva, 4 Nagy, 7 Martin, 12 O'Leary, 21 Wells, 29 Brunt, 42 Massengo

A big game for Lloyd Kelly

Tonight's match against Bristol City is going to be a special match for Lloyd Kelly. He signed for Bournemouth from Bristol City in May 2019 and has enjoyed just one season in the Premier League before finding himself back in the Championship with Bournemouth. Things could have been very different had Kelly not signed for Bournemouth, but he has a chance to show how much he has progressed against the club he grew up with.

Official AFCB Photo of Lloyd Kelly

Tonight's game is a match Kelly could have missed out on if he had been red carded in the previous game against Watford. That may make Lloyd even keener to play well against Bristol City, to show that the bad tackle last game was unlike him. We saw that Chris Mepham scored at Watford coming to the team's aid, but the defence will really want a shut out in this game and Bournemouth have a better chance of that with Lloyd Kelly in the starting line-up.

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The departure of Charlie Daniels this week would have had more impact if Bournemouth didn't have the luxury of Lloyd Kelly on their books. While he now plays in central defence he can always play as a left-back if needed. But he has added a bit more energy to the left side of defence and his desire to get forward paid off last game when his shot was redirected by Mepham to Bournemouth's good fortune in added-time. 

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No doubt, that last moment on the pitch made Lloyd Kelly feel pretty good about himself and the team and we need him to start playing at the best of his abilities if Bournemouth are going to add to their number of clean sheets. Bristol City offer one of the best attacks in the division and the Cherries have only managed two clean sheets in their seven games so far. 

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Keeping Lloyd Kelly fit this season could be half the battle in keeping Bournemouth into the promotion place. We need to see Bournemouth start to defend better if they are to keep pace with Reading that opened up a seven-point gap at the top last night. 

Possible AFCB line-up

Can Bournemouth stop Bristol City?

The Cherries take on Bristol City in their next game on Wednesday knowing that the Robins are currently one point and two places above them. It should be the game of the night and both teams are looking to get back on winning ways with neither of them winning their last three games. 

AFCB welcome Bristol City in what will be a
marker game for the standard of the Championship

There are a few Bristol City players that have played in the top flight. Chris Brunt (former WBA), Steven Sessegnon (former Fulham) and Andreas Weimann (former Aston Villa), Chris Martin (former Norwich) and Alfie Mawson (on loan from Swansea), Nahki Wells (former Burnley) are all names we recognise. They have a fair amount of experience and it is no surprise that they are among the front runners for promotion having finished a disappointing 12th last season.

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Nahki Wells and Jamie Paterson have both scored three goals this season, but Bournemouth will also have to look out for wide-man Andreas Weimann, midfielder Kasey Palmeralong and striker Antonio Semenyo, who have all got a couple of goals to their names in this campaign. Last time out Bristol needed an 83rd minute penalty to get a draw with Swansea City, so they found it difficult to create against Swansea who another strong team.

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Bristol have injury problems at the back with Alfie Mawson looks to be out for a while and the Bristol Post has hinted that the Robins could go to a back four and play two upfront with one of the strikers being Senegalese striker Famara Diedhiou, who hasn't yet played this season.

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The pleasing prospect for Bournemouth is that Bristol City have only scored one goal in their last two games and that was a Nakhi Wells penalty, but they did score twice against Barnsley and Nottingham Forest in their last two away games.

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This is probably the toughest game for Bournemouth so far, They are paying a confident team that are scoring goals away from home. Jason Tindall needs to find a solid defence or this match and keeping a clean sheet now would be huge.

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Bristol City Away Form
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AFCB Home Form
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In other news, former Cherry Marc Pugh has joined Charlie Daniels at Shrewsbury Town.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - What are Bournemouth lacking to get back to winning ways?

What are Bournemouth lacking to get back to winning ways?

The match against Watford was symptomatic of what has been happening in recent games for the Cherries. While they fell behind in this game, unlike other games, they had trouble in breaking down a solid defence. All credit to Watford who made it difficult for Bournemouth, but the Cherries are lacking a bit of quality in the final third and perhaps the fitness of David Brooks is going to be crucial to Bournemouth hope this season.

Solanke came on as a first half sub but fired blanks at Watford.
While one player is often thought of being the missing piece in the puzzle, I don't think Bournemouth are playing well enough as a whole at the moment to be any further up the table than where they are. Josh King and Dominic Solanke didn't make much of a dent in Watford's defence and when Solanke did get half chances his shooting was far from steady or accurate. 

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The early promise of Danjuma's quick feet seems to have faded and Bournemouth perhaps just need that spark to start believing in themselves again. Whether that will come with the addition of David Brooks remains to be seen. It can take a few games for players to find their feet as perhaps we saw with Lloyd Kelly who didn't have a great first game back against the Hornets.

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While Jason Tindall might not want to make too many changes his hand has been forced with Jefferson Lerma getting injured and Adam Smith had to miss the last game as he still wasn't ready to return. Bournemouth need a bit of luck on the injury front. It can make all the difference to a successful season or not.

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The challenges don't get any easier at this point either. Bristol City are in good form and will be a tough test for Tindall's men. But if they can win these games they will put themselves in a great position and I think that is what Tindall needs to get through to his players. The players need that excitement of knowing they get a big reward if they can beat teams in and around the top places.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes -Mepham scores an added-time goal to hold Wayford to a draw 1-1

Mepham scores an added-time goal to hold Watford to a draw 1-1

Match Report24 October 2020Watford 1 V 1 AFCB

Bournemouth found themselves going behind for the first time this season with Stipe Perica scoring after 12 minutes. The Cherries had most of the possession but couldn't get in behind Watford who defended well first half. Begovic had to make a good save to keep Bournemouth in it from Sarr in the second half, but in added time Bournemouth found a way to break the Watford defence when Lloyd Kelly saw his shot turned in by Chris Mepham to keep Bournemouth's unbeaten record going. It will feel like a win for the Cherries because they were moments away from losing the game.

Chris Mepham gets an added-time goal to save Bournemouth a point at Watford.

Jason Tindall revamped the side after two draws with four changes. In came Josh King for his first start this season, Phillip Billing and Lewis Cook started in midfield and Lloyd Kellly came in at the back. Out went Dan Gosling, Dominik Solanke, Junior Stanislas and Adam Smith

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Match Description
Bournemouth flew at Watford with Stacey getting a couple of early attempts at crosses. Lerma put a great ball in for Stacey but he couldn't control it. 

Lloyd Kelly is booked for a bad foul on Sarr. Lewis Cook is fouled in the middle by Chalobah. Bournemouth are getting good early possession, but are not quite getting the slick final pass in. Billing fouls Garner. Watford have a corner.

Bournemouth break, but Lerma loses out. Watford are getting a few more pieces together now. Cathcart plays along diagonal ball to Sarr and he crosses from the right, and it's a tap in for Perica who scores on 12 minutes against the run of play. Perica ran off the back of Steve Cook and just stretched out to finish. Rico was too high up and Sarr had stolen a yard in behind him to get the cross in.

Sarr shoots wide from distance. Watford are knocking the ball around now with much more confidence. Bournemouth are standing off.

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Lerma is going off injured with a hamstring pull and Solanke is coming on after 18 minutes. Stacey is offside. Danjuma down the left wins a corner for Bournemouth. Mepham heads wide. Watford win a free kick but Begovic catches it.

KIng's cross is caught by Foster. Billing wins the ball well and Garner is carded. Bournemouth have a free kick on the right side. Rico takes and Foster catches. Rico wins a corner. Rico wins a free kick now.

Solanke makes room for a shot but it's straight at the keeper. Stacey is fouled. Danjuma and Stacey puts a cross over and Rico wins a corner. Billing's cross is blocked, corner. Billing's long ball goes out of play.

Kelly blocks for a Watford corner. Danjuma is clipped right on the edge of the box by Troost-Ekong. Rico or Danjuma to take. Bournemouth put four players in from of Watford's five-man wall. The ball hits the Watford wall.

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Mepham fouls Perica. Danjuma for Solanke. Danjuma now, Lewis Cook blasts over. Stacey charges into the box but a poor lay-off from him. Solanke wins a corner. Billing Rico and Solanke puts a limp header towards goal that Foster catches.

Perica clashes with Billing and is receiving treatment. Cleverly is down now. Billing caught him high above the knee. Lewis Cook is fouled by Garner.

Bournemouth possession 61%, 6 shots, 2 shots on target, 5 corners, 8 fouls.

Watford possession 39%, 2 shots, 1 shot on target, 2 corners, 10 fouls.

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Second half
Capoue is on for Garner. King is offside. Now Sarr is offside. Sarr is found on the left and Begovic makes a big save to keep it at 1-0. Billing shoots wide.

Rico wins the ball back. Solanke tries to find Danjuma but the pass is too strong. Sarr goes down against Kelly but nothing is given, it was outside the box. Stacey down the right, Solake line sit up for King who blasts it over the bar.

Yellow card to Cleverly for a foul on Stacey. Stacey crosses but it's weak. Lewis Cook out to Stacey. Cook again, Billing to Slanke who shots from outside the box but Foster saves well to his left, corner for Bournemouth. Good quick feet from Solanke.

Solanke is fouled. Lewis Cok takes it. Danjuma is robbed. Bournemouth are not making much headway. Rico is booked for a foul on Sarr. Cleverly is subbed for Quina. Watford put a ball right across the box, not sure what Steve Cook was thinking to let it go.

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Solanke goes for goal but the ball is deflected wide. Great run down the middle after Lewis Cook set him free. Sarr has twisted his ankle. Diagonal ball to Stacey. Rico puts it up but Foster catches. Ngakia puts a deep cross in that beats Begovic but is wide of the goal. 
Rico fouls Sarr. Last 20 minutes.  Sarr volleys wide. Danjuma and Stacey loses it. Danjuma is coming off for Stanislas on 73 minutes. Lewis Cook's cross is caught by Foster. 

Quina shots from range and Begvic shovels it away for a corner to Watford. Quina and the ball bounces across the Bournemouth box until Rico clears. Perica is down.

Pedro is coming on for Perica on 82 minutes. Quina shoots from distance and Begovic saves. Riquelme replaces Rico on 88 minutes.

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Seven minutes of added time. King wins a corner. Headed back across goal and Watford get an offside decision. Free kick to Bournemouth. Steve Cook heads on and King's header is punched over by Foster.

From the corner the ball is punched out by Forster and Kelly hits it back in with Mepham on the line making it 1-1.

SummaryBournemouth will be more pleased with this point than the last two points they picked up. Watford were stubborn and looked like they would take all three points until a moment of fortune from a corner in added time saw Chris Mepham get his first goal of the season and Bournemouth's equaliser. It was far from a dominant display by Bournemouth but they kept plugging away and fighting. Begovic made a great save as well from Sarr at the start of the second half that kept Bournemouth in it. The Championship is hard and now Bournemouth have two home games to try and get back on winning ways, the unbeaten run goes on.

AFCB RatingsBegovic 8, Stacey 7, S Cook 6, Kelly 5, Mepham 6, Rico 5, L Cook 5, Billing 4, Lerma 5, Danjuma 5, King 5

AFCB Starting line-up AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Gosling, Stanislas, Riquelme, Solanke, Surridge

Watford: Foster, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Kabasele, Cathcart, Sema, Chalobah, Cleverley (Quina 64), Garner (Capoue 45), Sarr, Perica (Pedro 83)

Watford Subs: Bachmann, Wilmot, Joao Pedro, Murray, Quina, Capoue, Sierralta

The Cherries need to find some momentum

While an away point is not a poor result in any league, Jason Tindall was far from satisfied with the final result at Cardiff City as he expressed that Bournemouth were the dominant team. Dominating games is a good platform to have but what Tindall wants s momentum. The unbeaten record is nice to have, but the three points from wins means everything and too many draws will soon feel like AFCB are in a rut.

AFCB need to get back to winning ways.

The league table reads well at the moment but the next game against Watford has become a big match to sort the pecking order near the top of the table. Bournemouth won't want to lose this game and they will have to find sharper finishing than in their last game. I would have thought an open game as they had against Cardiff would have suited the Bournemouth players to get the result but it didn't work out that way. While the players created some great moves, the team still managed to concede.

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The 3-4-3 formation seems to help Bournemouth get forward well but it does leave gaps on both flanks in their own half and teams are exploiting that. Watford play the same way so it could be difficult to find as much space in today's game. Tindall really needs to find more of a settled team now as he develops his style of play and finds reliable performers. I've been impressed by the energy in the team and their desire to get forward. They are not starting games as quickly as they might but we are seeing strong second-half performances.

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Tindall will have options against Watford but it's important he keeps faith with those who are doing well. There is not a great deal wrong with the team but it will be frustrating that they are not winning games like the Cardiff match. Tindall has to use that frustration to get the players to be more ruthless and try and not let teams off the hook when they have taken the lead.

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Watford Home Form
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AFCB Away Form
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Possible AFCB Line-up AFCB Subs: Travers, Carter-Vickers, Billing,  Riquelme, Stanislas, Surridge

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth drop to fourth with 1-1 draw at Cardiff

Daniels will always have his place in Eddie Howe's greatest team

We are getting used to seeing Bournemouth legends leave the club. The Championship winning side of 2014-15 will always have its place in AFCB history and Charlie Daniels was one of the men who made it possible for AFCB to play in the Premier League. While we have seen Tommy Elphick, Matt Ritchie, Artur Boruc, Harry Arter, Ryan Fraser, Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Marc Pugh and Callum Wilson depart and a few others from that great squad, Charlie Daniels was the player that managed to keep his place as AFCB's top left-back no matter how many times he was given fresh competition at the start of every season for his place.

Charlie Daniels will be missed, but it has been a pleasure to watch him play over the years.

Now Charlie has left to join Shrewsbury Town after a horrific last 18-months with injuries that would probably have seen the end of many player's careers, while he has also suffered a family bereavement. It must have been tough with Bournemouth also being relegated for Charlie. I hope he can reflect on the good times and there were plenty of them.

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AFCB fans will probably remember his thunderous goal against Man City as the pinnacle of his career at AFCB. He really could kick the ball harder than anyone else, and I recall one game when he took a penalty when he almost took the paint off the bar when he smashed a penalty kick in. There are only so many players that bring a smile to your face as a Bournemouth fan and Daniels has been one of those.

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He has played the game hard but fair. There may have been more talented left-backs but there was never a more harder-working AFCB defender. He had a fantastic partnership with Marc Pugh and it was a privilege to see him playing with Marc in the lower leagues and just get better and better as they became Bournemouth's great weapon climbing the football leagues. Eddie Howe will always get credit for taking the club to the top tier, but he had massive help along the way from his players and Charlie Daniels has his place at the top table in my AFCB great sides. 

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Charlie can just enjoy his football now and I am sure he will love this new challenge at Shrewsbury. We wish him well. Perhaps some of the golfers in the AFCB squad can also now get the chance to win a round of golf with Charlie swinging his clubs a bit further away from the south coast - I hear he is a bit of a ringer with the golf clubs.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Rival Lines: Watford expect more going forwards as they take on the unbeaten Cherries

Rival Lines: Watford expect more going forwards as they take on the unbeaten Cherries

Rival LinesMatch Preview: Watford v AFCB
Bogger Interview:  From The Rockery End
Twitter: @Watfordpodcast
 
CC: I spoke with Jason at  From The Rockery End  this week about Watford's start to the season and wanted to get his thoughts ahead of the big clash with Bournemouth. We always have a feisty game with Watford and I suspect that this weekend's match will be no different. 

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CC: I feel that I should say congratulations - Watford have completed will have completed six games after the midweek match without changing managers! Seriously, how unsettling is it for Watford fans for them to keep losing managers?

FTREP: We know the model and credit where it’s due, it got us five seasons of Premier League football and hopefully the opportunity for more. However, whilst the majority of fans are fully versed in justifying our approach to the manager, sorry, Head Coach recruitment policy, there is an appetite to have some sort of stability in the boss’ office. We thought we had someone for the long term in Javi Gracia. However, he was let down by those in the boardroom. We had a platform to build on after the cup final season. Instead, weaknesses that needed addressing were not. Gracia was the fall guy and a series of bad decisions culminated in relegation post lockdown.

CC: Do you feel the heart has been taken out of the side with the summer departures?

FTREP: Not at all. I think most fans accepted that relegation meant losing the majority of our stars. And given the limp performances after the return of football at the end of last season, there weren’t too many tears when those players left. We’ve still managed to retain a subset of quality players in the likes of Sarr, Hughes, Deeney & Capoue. And with players that had previously been on the fringe or loaned out elsewhere such as Cleverley, Sema and Wilmot starting regularly and showing passion and desire in a positive start to the season, there’s a new and perhaps more aspirational heart to this side.

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CC: What kind of feeling do you get about Vladimir Ivić so far? Is he looking like a good tactician and man manager in what he has said and done so far?
FTREP: In the current situation, it’s very hard to feel a connection to the club, players and coaching staff. However, there is no denying that Vlad has started well. We are looking incredibly solid with only two goals conceded in the league so far this season. In an attacking sense, there is still work to be done and the style of play has occasionally been hard watching. And whilst we may have been missing some of our attacking talent through injuries and suspensions early doors,  Ivić has not hidden behind this. Despite picking up points in games, he has been honest enough to say he expects more going forwards. He has also said from the start that he only wants players that want to play for the club. There was no pandering to the want away group of players. And that in itself endeared him to the fans.

CC: What do you make of Watford's start to the season now you are in the top six?

FTREP: We have been very much in a state of flux during the season start, biting our nails ahead of the international and domestic deadlines, hoping we could hang on to the players we wanted to give second chances to. During this tumultuous time, pending and potential transfers and the aforementioned injuries and suspensions left the squad looking thinner than originally anticipated. Whilst academy products making their debut is always a good thing, seeing Dan Phillips, who had spent time at National League South neighbours Hemel Hempstead the previous season, was not a sight Watford fans were used to after five years in the upper echelons of the English game. Expectations were high, but the early team sheets were perhaps a reality check on what relegation to the Football League brings. The start is exactly what was needed and there shouldn’t be too many complaints. Now with the transfer dealings done, until 2021 anyway, we have a solid foundation to build upon and push on.

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CC: Jao Pedro has made a good start. Do you think he could be one of the best strikers in the Championship?

FTREP: The potential of our young Brazilian frontman is definitely there. The recent match-winner at Derby was an early goal of the season contender in a game that was always going to be decided by either a mistake or a moment of magic. The goal may have bought him some attention from a wider audience, but Watford fans will have noticed other qualities in those early games. He is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and also has the vision to play a defence-splitting pass. But what has stood out for such a young man is his willingness to fight and battle. Not attributes usually associated with Brazilian strikers, but ones definitely needed for a long Championship season against experienced second level defenders. Whether he gets deployed as an out and out frontman, or given a wider role alongside a returning Deeney or new Croatan striker Stipe Perica (with Sarr the other side… please!), we hope to see a lot more of him this season.

CC: Do you expect Bournemouth and Norwich to be among your main rivals for promotion this season?

FTREP: I think all three sides are well equipped to have a stab at an immediate return this season. Norwich have retained the services of Buendia and Cantwell who are both top talents for this level. And although the Cherries have lost the likes of Aké, Fraser and Wilson, they still have a core of players that have performed well for the club in recent seasons and some exciting young talent. I think you did well to hang on to Brooks. If he can stay injury-free, then he will cause havoc in this league.

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CC: Why do you think Watford have struggled to score many goals in their first five games?

FTREP: The initial tactical focus has been on keeping it tight at the back, starting with a back three, then just in front of them wing-backs and central midfielders who are happy to drop back and keep things compact, denying the opposition any space in attacking areas. The men you’d expect to be leading the line in Deeney or Gray being injured, Perica suspended for three games and the on-loan Glenn Murray not quite hitting form as yet alongside the defensive approach, goes some way to explaining the low scoring games we have been involved in. We’ve also seen the opposition match us on occasion and play three at the back. This has had the effect of each side cancelling each other out, leading to cautious and uneventful matches. Having said all that, we’ve emerged from our home game against Blackburn with a 3-1 win, doubling our league goal tally. Whilst the possession and shots stats were dominated by Rovers, the quality of play from Watford when we had the ball in the final third was much better and we perhaps should have had a couple more goals to our name.

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CC: Have you got any major injuries ahead of the Bournemouth game?

FTREP: Will Hughes and Andre Gray are yet to play this season and are still working their way to full fitness. Troy Deeney played a brief cameo against local rivals Luton, but has been out injured otherwise. Etienne Capoue may make his first start of the season after coming off the bench against Blackburn. He was absent at the start of the season whilst his future at Watford was in doubt. Sarr was rested at Derby after returning from the international break, but came back into the side against Blackburn and will hopefully keep his place.

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CC: Give us a score prediction?

FTREP: I’m sticking with the low scoring theme that has been running through the majority of our league programme this season… 1-0 to the Hornets!

CC: An absolute mountain of information from Jason there on the Hornets. Thanks to him for his generous time and detailed answers. I think not enough fans give enough merit to how important it is to have a good defence and Watford have started well at the back in only conceding two goals in their first six games. The form of Ben Foster has clearly been key in that and he even pulled off a penalty save in Watford's last match against Blackburn Rovers. Still,  Watford may find goals hard to come by themselves and with Bournemouth's current unbeaten run, there has to be a good chance of this match ending in a draw or maybe even something more favourable perhaps for the Cherries if we can start putting away the chances that are being made.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth drop to fourth with 1-1 draw at Cardiff

Bournemouth drop to fourth with 1-1 draw at Cardiff

Bournemouth stepped up their game at Cardiff knowing they could go second with a win. While Harry Wilson threatened to score early on, it was Dominic Solanke that broke the deadlock after Stacey slipped a cross in front of goal that Slanke easily buried on 35 minutes. The second half turned when Harry Wilson scored on the hour to make it 1-1 in what had become an end to end game. Despite free kicks from Harry Wilson and Junior Stanislas that both hit the bar neither side could grab a winner.

Solanke scores but it's not enough to earn AFCB a win.

Jason Tindall decided not to include Josh King in the squad for the Cardiff game, headache or not. Instead, Junior Stanislas and Arnaut Danjuma came into the starting line up for Lewis Cook and Sam Surridge who both moved to the bench. Riquelme also made the bench but there was still no place for Bournemouth's other summer signing, Cameron Carter-Vickers. David Brooks also seemed not to have recovered from his knock.

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Match Description
Cardiff go on the attack with Harry Wilson who pulls a shot wide from outside the box. Cardiff have a corner. Mepham wins a free kick. Adam Smith is fouled.

Danjuma gets forward for AFCB and has a shot saved by Smithers. Danjuma into Adam Smith he shoots but right at the keeper.

Danjuma wins a corner. Cardiff have a free kick. Hoilett shoots over the bar. Stacey losses the ball.

Adam Smith is fouled. Bournemouth are winning quite a few fouls. Lerma to Stanislas and the pull-back doesn't find a Bournemouth player.

Bagan crosses Ojo and Vaulks fires over. Stanislas and Adam Smith go forward. Rico to Stanislas and he wins a corner off of Morrison. 

Stacey is closed down. Cardiff clear. Rico intercepts a pass to Harry Wilson.  

Solanke is in the area but Smithers is out to stop I'm. Stacey and Gosling misses the ball and Lerma shoots but the keeper saves.

Harry Wilson and Ojo, but Steve Cook clears. Rico is making a lot of clearances as Cardiff are strong down their right. Stanislas away from Pack. Smith puts in the cross but Stacey can't get a good enough touch.

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Adam Smith for Lerma, Rico and Solanke tries to get free Lerma, great ball and Stacey across the face of goal and Solanke has scored! Super vision and pass from Lerma and Stacey put in the perfect cross for Solanke on 35 minutes. That will do Solanke a lot of good.

Ojo and Wilson shoots wide. Could have been 1-1 but Wilson couldn't finish. Big chance for Cardiff missed. Stanslas to Danjuma. Lerma now and Rico into the box but Stacey can't head well enough. Solanke goes high and wide with his shot.

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Bagan hits a cross but it's overhit. Lerma for Adam Smith and Stanislas shoots well wide. Stanislas and Danjuma is tackled. Gosling up to Stacey and the cross s cleared. Bournemouth are putting some good moves together now. Add time in the first half.

Rico intercepts well. Glatzel almost put Ojo in.

Stats
AFCB possession 68%, 7 shots, 5 shots on target, 2 corners, 8 fouls
Cardiff City possession 32%, 4 shots, 0 shots on target, 1 corner, 9 fouls

Second half  
Stacey crosses but no Bournemouth player can get there. It would have been a tap in at the far post. Rico with a corner short to Solanke. Rico's cross is headed away.

Gosling to Danjuma on his left, Smith wins a corner. Mepham and Cook, up for the corner can't get their heads to the ball. Danjuma to Stanislas and it's deflected wide, corner. Bournemouth are in charge here.

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Mepham gets closest to the corner but it's out for a goal kick. Glatzel and Ojo but Gosling intercepts and wins a free kick. Rico concedes a corner. Harry Wilson crosses and it's cleared before Beovic has it from Pack.

Stanislas on the break, he does a one-two with Danjuma but Stanislas is closed down. Solanke goes to ground. Wilson to Glatzel but Steve Cook intercepts. Ojo to the fat post and Mepham heads clear.

Stacey and Solanke but Smithers keeps it out some how off the cross bar. Great on-handed save. Rico fouls. Good free kick area for Harry Wilson inside the D. It hits the cross bar! Begovic may have got a touch.

Morrison and Mepham puts it behind for a corner. Vaulks across the goal and Begovic tips it over for another corner. Mepham clears again.

Hoilett and Wilson equalises on 60 minutes 1-1. Cardiff were pressing and they have their reward. It just had to be Harry Wilson didn't it?

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Ojo and Rico blocks. Morrison is offside. Lerma in the middle and Morrison fouls and is booked on 66 minutes. Good central position for the free kick, just outside the D. Stanislas, Danjuma and Rico stand over it. Stanislas smashes it against the cross bar! Pack is off and Ralls is on

Hoilett to Glatzel and Rico puts it behind. Headd wide by Nelson. Lerma up to Danjuma. Smith and Stanislas' shot on the turn is wide of the post.

Glatzel is subbed on 72 minutes for Moore. Dankuma into Stanislas, Adam Smith and Solanke has headed wide. Solanke was free but missed the target.

Hoilett and Steve Cook clears for a Cardiff corner. 15 minutes to go. Hoilett and Rico clears. Ojo fouls Rico. Ojo is gong off for Murphy to come on.

Harry Wilson looks for Moore but Rico reads it. Solanke is waiting, Bagan clears. Stanislas wins a corner. 

Wilson on the break. Riquelme is on for Danjuma. Gosling commits a foul. Bournemouth clear. Surridge is on for Solanke on 87 minutes.

Two minutes before added time. Stanislas to Riquelme who runs into Bacuna. Riquelme wins a free kick. Smithes catches the ball. Three added minutes. Ralls has been yellow carded.

Riquelme and Bacuna puts it out for a corner. Stacey and Surridge drives, but he is blocked as Adam Smith tries to finish but Smithes gets their first.

Simpson is on for the injured Adam Smith. Cardiff have a free kick. Riquelme and Simpson. Lerma to Gosling and Stanislas. Stacey back to Stanislas, Mepham, Stanislas and Cardiff clear.

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Summary
Bournemouth remain unbeaten but couldn't make the most of the chances they made. Stanislas came closest to winning it for Bournemouth but a point from an away game won't disappoint Tindall too much. Bournemouth had many senior players in the line-up but questions still surround the absence of Josh King and David Brooks. Adam Smith received a knock late on but it was good to see Rodrigues Requelme make his debut in a Bournemouth shirt.

AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Ofoborh, Billing, L Cook, Riquelme, Surridge
Cardiff City
12 Smithies, 7 Bacuna, 4 Morrison, 16 Nelson, 32 Bagan, 21 Pack (Ralls 67), 6 Vaulks, 27 Ojo (Murphy 78), 23 H Wilson, 33 Hoilett, 9 Glatzel (Moore 72)

Cardiff Subs: 1 Phillips, 8 Ralls, 10 Moore, 11 Murphy, 13 Benkovic, 20 Whyte, 22 Bamba
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