Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 24

Beat Saints and escape is on for the Cherries

The pressure games continue to come and the match against Southampton is the biggest yet. Bournemouth know that with a win they would not only do the double of the Saints but they would have one foot higher up the ladder in their attempt to escape relegation.


The player of the restart for AFCB so far, can Junior Stanislas fir Bournemouth to safety?It is all about player confidence now. Bournemouth's players know that they are good enough to win their last two games, but they have to do it on the pitch. Watford have left the door open and they will be distraught if Bournemouth get a result against Southampton. We can only hope that the Man City defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup has put Man City in the mood to destroy Watford in their next game. It would be agonising for Bournemouth fans to see Southampton knock them to the edge of relegation, and the players know that they have to be on it this weekend. Anything other than a win will have Bournemouth fans biting their nails on other results.


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It is important that the Cherries can take their relegation fight to the last game. If they need a draw or a win in their last game, that will make this season probably the most exciting for Bournemouth fans since their were promoted in 2014/15. Eddie Howe is rightly just concentrating on Southampton at the moment. There is hard work to be done and I hope the players are concentrated on beating the Saints, because they could lose it here before they go to Everton, which would be a horrible waste.

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I do think that Watford could well have thrown it away. Bournemouth's main competition could even come from Aston Villa now. Watford fans are fearing the worst, while Bournemouth fans are getting excited about an improbable escape. Rather than dreading the end of the season, it could be that Bournemouth's players are desperate for it to keep going. They are likely to be on a massive high if they can beat Southampton and go into that Everton game knowing they are in control of their destiny should energise them further. That is what it is all about this weekend. Getting level on points with Watford and hopefully seeing Watford and Aston Villa slip up on Tuesday night. That would make it a great week and would put Bournemouth in pole position next weekend to stay up.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!A big thanks also for AFCB in sending season ticket holders a BTSport pass for the match today.

If you want t feel good, listen to the fall out on the From the Rookery End Watford podcast after Watford's defeat to West Ham Utd


Possible AFCB Line-up Boruc, Stacey, Simpson, L Cook, Billing, Suman, H Wilson, Surridge, SolankePrevious post on Cherry Chimes - How do Bournemouth get it right against Southampton?

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How do Bournemouth get it right against Southampton?

Bournemouth know what they have to do now after the result between West Ham and Watford. Whatever the result they know they would really need to get something against Southampton, and a win would be the best way to give them a chance of an incredible escape. But how does Eddie Howe ensure that he gets a result similar to the last home game rather than a flop like the players had against Newcastle or Crystal Palace?
Bournemouth have work to do.The mood of the players has certainly changed and being in the right mindset counts for a lot. The players need to envisage the goals going in and playing confidently as they did when they last played Southampton. Of course, the Saints would like nothing better than revenge. Their fans don't call this a derby, well this weekend they will be happy to call it a derby if they send Bournemouth down. So, it will be painful to lose this game even if Bournemouth might get another chance against Everton to save themselves. Bournemouth must leave out everything on the pitch and look to do the double over Southampton.


Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!Eddie has to play his best team probably from the start in this one. Bournemouth have been coming on strong in the second half of games, but with survival at stake it may be too much of a risk to leave Callum Wilson and David Brooks on the bench again. If Eddie does go to attack Southampton for the off, he'll have to look to see how he can stop Southampton playing on the break with the pace of Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond. The free kick accuracy of James Ward-Prowse is another worry for Bournemouth.

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But this has to be a game about what Bournemouth can do. They don't have to think too much about what Southampton are going to do, if they can dominate the game as they did in the last 20 minutes against Man City. Getting the ball in the box and making things happen is what Eddie has to implore his players to do. Goal difference could be vital so, Bournemouth have to go at Southampton from the start and not only try and win but win well.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Should Bournemouth fans care about West Ham v Watford game?

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Should Bournemouth fans care about West Ham v Watford game?

Tonight there is a big game at the bottom of the table that doesn't include Bournemouth. The West Ham v Watford match could be pivotal for which of those clubs secure early safety, but if there is a loser, or a draw it could well open the door for a rejuvenated Bournemouth side to sneak past one of them on the final two games. So, should Bournemouth fans be eagerly watching the game or hiding behind the sofa?
Dare you look up and watch tonight's game?
Well, whatever Bournemouth fans or players decide to do tonight, they can't affect the scoreline. So the brave ones will watch the game and those who can't stomach seeing another team climb to safety had better stay well clear. The result matters as well as the scoreline with the goal difference possibly becoming more key as we reach the final few games.Advertisement


Most pundits have encouraged that a West Ham win would be best for Bournemouth survival hopes, and a thumping good win at that. If Watford win, Bournemouth have no doubt they'll need to get points from both of their remaining games as West Ham have a plus 10 goal difference on Bournemouth, as well as the three points. Watford are only three points and four goals ahead of the Cherries, and while the points won't get any closer after this game tonight, the goal difference could start to come back towards Bournemouth's total. 

West Ham's remaining games are better only, because they have Aston Villa to play as one of their remaining games, but there is nothing to say that Villa can't win that and West Ham won't be favourites against Man Utd. Watford would have to pull off a shock result against Man City or Arsenal to add to their points total after the West Ham match, so tonight's fixture is really a must win for West Ham and Watford.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!Bournemouth and Aston Villa will be ready to pick up the pieces. Villa are not out of it yet, if they can do something against Arsenal and West Ham in their final game. It is still two from four, but after tonight we may be saying two from three who will join Norwich City.

I think I'll brave watching the game and hope that West Ham knock up table tennis score against Watford.

Advertisement Coastal Garden Buildings In other news: Football Survey on local identity importance
The 2021/22 season will be the 30th season since the old first division was replaced by the Premier League. A research team from Sheffield Hallam University are studying the importance of developing local players and local identity in the English game from a supporter's perspective for a publication to mark the 30th season. To take part in the survey complete the following online survey (which usually takes 3-5 minutes). https://sircsurveys.com/f/1297295/6cbf/

For those who might like to participate on a opinions on key aspects of local players there is another six question survey https://www.sircsurveys.com/f/41504606/13fe/ and the option for short 15min interviews with some participants.

For once Bournemouth have impact players from the bench

The match against Man City was not only important for a small goal difference defeat, but I was impressed by the substitutions. Okay, we can argue about the timing of the subs and maybe Bournemouth played a bit reservedly first half, but when the subs came on the confidence was flowing.
David Brooks finds his touch.I was especially pleased, as Eddie Howe was, for David Brooks to score. He has been struggling with lasting a whole 90 minutes, and perhaps he is finding it easier to come on as an impact sub against tired legs at the other end. You can't deny he is a super finisher. He took his chance very calmly to beat Ederson. That goal could yet be priceless and it will do Brooks the world of good to get his first goal of the season.

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Callum Wilson also looked more dangerous than he has in recent weeks, and I am sure Eddie kept him on the bench for motivation to get him wound up like a coiled spring ready to explode when he came on. It almost worked and I still think Callum will have a crucial role to play in Bournemouth's last two fixtures, as he is most likely to have a chance fall to him. He knows he'll have to take the chances, if he is to get to double figures in goals this season.

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Eddie now has more idea about where the players are in terms of fitness and match ability for these last two games. He perhaps got it wrong for the first few games back. Bournemouth were well out of sorts. But with players like Sam Surridge waiting to come on and do a salvation job and Solanke believing he can score, there is every hope that the players will make an impact in the last two games, especially as they know they could have come away with points against Man City.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!I still think there is more to come from Josh King, Harry Wilson and Lewis Cook, but if they can grasp hold of the confidence that the rest of the team are playing with, then the unthinkable could just happen and Bournemouth could save themselves at the death. To beat Southampton and Everton is a worthy test to prove you are Premier League quality and there are only positive vibes coming from the players now whether they are starting of on the bench.

In other news, Aston Vill were close to getting three points against Everton, but Theo Walcott equalised in the 87th minute to keep Vila in 19th place. Brighton also got another point against Southampton which pretty much puts them safe with their goal difference.

Bournemouth have to take their chances in final two games

Bournemouth got on the score sheet against ManCity but it took them far too long to put any pressure on City. David Brooks took his goal well though, unlike Harry Wilson at the end of the Spurs game and to lose 2-1 to Man City is actually a good result for Bournemouth's goal difference, even if not in terms of points.
Better finishing is a must for AFCB to pick up points. The problem was that Bournemouth had chances to get at least a draw from the match with Man City and can count themselves unlucky not t do so. A bit better finishing and they would have taken a point. There wasn't much happening for Bournemouth in the first half except for a turn and shot by Josh King, and Junior Stanislas' free kick which would have gone in had it not been for Ederson being such a good keeper. But the chances really started to come in the second half, and Eddie Howe could have expected better finishing from his team.
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The first disappointment was Josh King's disallowed goal. He just timed the ran a fraction too early and was so nearly kept on side by John Stones. VAR had to check a few times, but Stanislas really did everything right for Josh King and the chance went begging.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!As we drew nearer to the end of the game, Bournemouth did net and that gave them another lift. It could have been a great scoreline, if Callum Wilson had taken his shot better on the edge of the box. But there were other chances for Lewis Cook and Lerma who were blocked. Sam Surridge also came close to nipping in. But it wasn't to be.

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Bournemouth have to take on board that they are creating chances though and are very strong in the second half of games now. If they do start taking their chances they could rack up a really big score in their remaining games, and I am just hoping they can at least do that and see where that gets them.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth put City all the way in 2-1 defeat

Bournemouth push City all the way in 2-1 defeat

Match ReportMan City 2 v 1 AFC Bournemouth15 July 2020 AFCB don' get the VAR decision but put in a great performance at the Etihad.Bournemouth went a goal down early in which was just what wasn't required. David Silva scored on from a well taken free kick, just six minutes in, after Lerma had given a way a free kick. Bournemouth then soaked up pressure well and created one or two chances with Stanislas going close, when he hit the post from a free kick and Solanke saw an attempt cleared off the six yard box. Jesus put Man City in the driving seat before half-time with a great bit of skill on the left side, and a clean finish in the bottom corner. It could have been worse when Lerma left his foot in against Jesus, but VAR did not give a penalty. Bournemouth could also have gone 3-0 down, but a Steve Cook's penalty decision was overturned by VAR, and from then on it was Bournemouth who looked most likely to score. Josh King had been unlucky thought to be ruled offside, when he though he had halved the deficit. David Silva misjudged ball that hit his arm in the box, but there was no VAR penalty decision in favour of Bournemouth. The energy of David Brooks and Callum Wilson were a big positive and David Brooks scored on 88 minutes. There was also a chance for Callum Wilson to get the draw in added time, and Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma had shots blocked, while Surridge almost got on the end of a free kick. In the end, Bournemouth just ran out of time in an exciting finish to the game.

Bournemouth made four changes for this game. It was a bit of a surprise to see Callum Wilson replaced by Josh King in the starting line up. Steve Cook also came in for the injured Aké and Billing made a start ahead of Danjuma, while Stanislas came in at wing back and Brooks was also on the bench.


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Match Description
Man City are keeping the ball and are inching closer to the Bournemouth goal, but Walkers' cross goes past everyone. Rico makes a cross and Gosling's header is at the keeper. Jesus is found by Ederson on his own, but the pass from Jesus goes astray.

Billing loses it in midfield, not strong enough. Lerma slides in on Silva and it's a free kick. David Silva hits it right in the top right corner, off the cross bar, 1-0 to Man City on six minutes.

Solanke almost gets on the end of a lose ball. Fernandinho with a shot from distance, goes just wide. A well hit shot. Rico down to Billing, but Gosling can't keep it play.

Bournemouth are getting penned in, but escape with a free kick for Gosling. The long ball upfield and Ederson beats Steve Cook to it. Lloyd Kelly picks up a card for pulling back Jesus on 17 minutes.

The passing in the middle of the park is crisp from Man City, but Bournemouth are finding it hard to get a sequence of passing going. It has been like a training session or a game of chess with Man City just looking to find gaps on the field. King was doing well helping out the midfield. Stacey put in a great cross, but Stones beats Gosling to the ball.

Bournemouth have a press on. City get a throw though. Solanke over hits a pass for Josh King. Lerma intercepts, but gives it straight back to City.

Gosling keeps a chance alive, Josh King turns but puts the shot wide. Encouraging for Bournemouth. Lerma make a sliced clearance for a Man City corner. Bournemouth clear.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!A long throw from Kelly and Billing knocks it on before Man City clear. It is still a pedestrian pace. Man City are taking their time and Bournemouth are doing all the running.  Every now and a gain Lerma or Gosling get a foot in.
Foden has a snap shot, but clips it over from Mendy's pass. Solanke takes the ball down well from a Ramsdale kick. Stacey crosses, but the Bournemouth players can't win the header. 
Solanke wins a free kick off Otamendi on 32 minutes. Stanislas is looking to take the kick. It's tipped onto the post at full stretch by Ederson. So unlucky for Stanislas, because the keeper didn't know where the ball was. It could have gone in off the back of his head.
Gosling crosses and King heads over. Bernado Silver shoots wide on the volley from a cross from the left. King to Gosling and Solanke is blocked on the six yard line by Otamendi. Another header goes over from Billing.
David Silva on the left and Jesus opens up the Bournemouth defence and fires in to the bottom corner cutting past Stacey and Steve Cook. It's 2-0 to City on 39 minutes.
King does ever so well, but doesn't shoot or pass at the need when Stacey was available. Ramsdale gets to a cross and juggles it, he's lost it. Lerma has to clear, but he has caught Jesus. VAR has not given a penalty. Few.
Two minutes of added time.

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Coastal Garden BuildingsSecond halfSterling and Garcia come on for Bermardo Silva and Carl Walker.  Josh King wins a corner. Rico takes the corner, but it's headed out and he doesn't find Billing.

Man City are keeping possession now. Kelly heads clear a Mendy cross. Bournemouth just aren't able to get forward. They are being hemmed in their own half. Ramsdale catches a City corner.

Mendy crosses again and King wins a free kick. A ball over the top for Jesus, but Stacey has it covered. The pace of the game has been noticeably ponderous in the second half.
Solanke does well to keep the ball. Stanislas does great work down the right and cut's back and King taps in, but is he offside? VAR will check. 60 minutes have gone and VAR says offside.
Billing is on the box but can't find a team-mate. Rico has a cross down the left, but it goes out of play. Stanislas puts in a cross from the right and Ederson spills it with Solanke coming in and Gosling spoons his shot wide - a real chance on 64 minutes.




Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!King gets in behind and goes down the byline and Stones is forced to give a corner away. Lerma tries to head it back but it's too strong.

Sterling fouls Kelly. Man City sub Gündogan for Rodri on 68 minutes. Callum Wilson and David Brooks and Lewis Cook are on for Solanke, Stanislas and Gosling.

Silva puts a ball in low from the left. Jesus in the penalty area is taken down by Steve Cook - penalty. VAR is checking. Maybe Cook got some of the ball. No penalty!

Sterling is trying to get in down the left. Jesus gets free on the left but shoots past the left post. Mahrez and Zinchenko come on for Mendy and Jesus on 76 minutes.

King is replaced by Harry Wilson on 77 minutes. Billing out to Harry Wilson and he's down in the box. Where is VAR? Oh, it was a dive.

City have a corner. Mahrez crosses but Ramsdale saves. Brooks on the right, pulls it back to Callum Wilson and he has squeezed it wide of the left post.


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Eight minutes left. Can Bournemouth reduce that goal difference? Garcia puts on a deep cross and Foden beats his man, but Ramsdale saves at the near post.

Kelly has a long throw. It hits David Silva's hand, but not a penalty! Billing and Callum Wilson but Bournemouth lose it. Bournemouth are pressing for this goal.

Rico a ball down the left  Callum Wilson and Brooks has turned it in on 88 minutes. 

Brooks and Callum Wilson now with a chance. He has hit it wide, off the defender. He snatched at it.

Six minutes of added time. Surridge is on. Billing is off, Callum Wilson is in behind. Lewis Cook doesn't shoot Lerma is blocked.

Free kick and the keeper might not get it, Steve Cook heads on, Surridge goes in but Ederson saves second time. Man City are hanging on the ropes.

Bournemouth get back to thwart Sterling and Mahrez. Garcia is carded for a foul on Harry Wilson.

Brooks puts in a cross too deep. Surridge on the chase, but Ederson wins the race. Kelly with a throw Cook heads on and Stones clears.

Summary
Bournemouth won't get any closer than this to making life uncomfortable for Man City. A 2-1 defeat was not perhaps justice for the chances Bournemouth created. The chances came right at the end, but Bournemouth couldn't convert them. Still, they did get one goal back from Harry Wilson and that could be vital when it comes to goal difference with Watford still to play Man City. Bournemouth made 14 chances which is the most of any team coming to the Etihad in the four years of Guardiola's reign. This is a team that is fighting and the fight goes on. VAR has again been cruel and Bournemouth aren't getting the strong referees that they need at times, but Man City is the toughest of tests and the remaining games will be easier for Bournemouth to try and win.


AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: 1 Boruc, 6 Surman, 13 C Wilson, 14 Danjuma, 16 L Cook, 20 Brooks, 22 H Wilson, 25 Simpson,

44 SurridgeAFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 5, Stanislas 7 (Brooks 6), Stacey 6, S Cook 5, Kelly 6, Rico 6,
Billing 6 (Surridge 5), Lerma 5,  Gosling 5 (L Cook 5), King 6 (H Wilson 5),
Solanke 5 (C Wilson 5)

AFCB MoM: Junior Stanislas

Ref Watch: Lee Mason 1/10 not very good at spotting penalties but Man City were already 2-0 up when he missed Lerma's foul. Then he thought Steve Cook had given a penalty away and VAR overturned it. Still, not sure why Davi Silva's handball was not given either.
Man City31 Ederson, 2 Walker (Garcia 45), 5 Stones, 30 Otamendi, 22 Mendy (Zinchenko 76),
25 Fernandinho, 8 Gündogan, 20 Bernardo Silva, 21 Silva (Sterling 45), 47 Foden, 9 Gabriel Jesus (Mahrez 76)
Man City Subs
7 Sterling, 11 Zinchenko, 14 Laporte, 16 Rodri, 17 De Bruyne, 26 Mahrez, 33 Carson, 50 García, 69 Doyle

Can Bournemouth get something against Man City?

Bournemouth have never taken a point off of Man City. The gulf between the teams in financial teams is massive and on the field City can always call on multi-million pound subs if it's not quite going their way. But there is a chink in this Man City side who have been dropping points all season and don't have much to play for, now that they are secure in second place and have more important FA Cup and Champions league games to come.
An unexpected three points would mean everything to the Cherries tonight.Eddie Howe won't expect City to take their foot off the gas though. They have scored 14 goals in their last four games and conceded just one goal to Southampton, who beat them. Raheem Sterling has been in particularly good form in front of goal and Guardiola might be able to rest a few of his star players and still believe he can beat Bournemouth with room to spare.


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In a way it would help Bournemouth for Man City to be overly confident. Bournemouth will have to play tight and try and restrict Man City, as goal difference could be so very important come the final day of the season. Bournemouth have been staying in games and coming on strong second half in their last few games, and I expect a similar plan for this game. You can't always win a game in the first 20 minutes, but you can certainly lose it and Bournemouth priority must be to try and get to half-time relatively unscathed.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!I expect Howe to play wing backs but to operate more as five at the back. He could flood the midfield with four players, but I fancy him playing three in the middle and two upfront to give the team a chance of hitting City on the break. Solanke is going to want to play and is inform, while we know Callum Wilson is our best striker, so why not play them both? Howe could also have Josh King back on the bench.

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Although the odds are against Bournemouth getting something from this game if they did hang in even for a point it would be a huge result in terms of confidence. Bournemouth need to put in a plucky performance, as West Ham and Watford can watch on and decide how best to play their game on the result of Bournemouth's match. Going first is not going to be easy, but a good result and and it could work very much in Bournemouth's favour.

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Possible AFCB Line-up AFCB Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Surman, Gosling,
Danjuma, L Cook, H Wilson, King, Surridge

Rival Lines: 'I’m expecting us to lose, but I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if we did,' says City fan

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Man City v AFCB
Blogger Interview: One football
T@FussballDan

I asked these questions before Bournemouth played Leicester City and wasn't too optimistic that Bournemouth would have passed the 30 points mark. I spoke with Dan at One Football who is a massive Man City fan and is looking forward to seeing silverware this season for the sky Blues - quite a different season from what AFCB fans are experiencing.

CC: What is the common feeling on how Man City have played this season?

OF:  It’s been hugely disappointing league campaign from City. Before the start of the season I backed us to pick up at least 95 points and probably win the title again, but the best we can now end up with is 81 points.

We’ve lost nine games (more than Manchester United!) and dropped some really silly points. The defeat away to Norwich back in September still irritates me greatly and I’m actually surprised Pep Guardiola hasn’t come in for more criticism for the way City have surrendered the title to Liverpool, because I think it’s been quite embarrassing frankly.

Injuries to key players like Aymeric Laporte haven’t helped, and I suppose it was probably a lot to ask for them to play at such a high level three seasons in a row, but I’m hoping for much better in 2020/21.

CC: Who has been City’s best player?

OF: It’s been Kevin De Bruyne by quite some distance, although Sergio Agüero also deserves an honourable mention.

De Bruyne is just sensational when it comes to pretty much every aspect of the game. He’s the best midfielder in the world and probably only behind Lionel Messi in terms of the best players overall on current form.

I think he will win the PFA Player of the Year this year, and deservedly so.

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CC: Would winning the Champions League this year make it the best ever?

OF: That’s a really good question because even though I really hope we win the Champions League this season, it won’t feel quite as good as it would have done if the games weren’t being played behind closed doors and we could celebrate it properly.

The fact it’s also going to be a truncated version of the competition with one-legged ties all played in neutral venues means it probably won’t be viewed as a “proper” Champions League win either.

So it will be lovely to win it, but it won’t come anywhere near to topping our first Premier League title win in my opinion.

CC: Where did it go wrong against Southampton?

OF: We didn’t put the ball in the net despite creating an incredible amount of chances. In fact, we had more shots against Southampton than Leicester did when they beat them 9-0 earlier in the season!

We’ve had a few games like that this season where we’ve dominated but not been able to score, and been beaten by a defensive error at the other end.

Given we’ve registered back-to-back 5-0 victories since the Southampton game, scoring goals isn’t something we’re overly concerned by at the moment, but Pep needs to put it right over the summer somehow.
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CC: Who are you most scared of losing?

OF: Monday’s verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that City won’t be banned from the Champions League means I’m a lot less worried about losing our best players this summer than I was.

The likes of De Bruyne, Agüero and Raheem Sterling seem happy where they are for now and though Leroy Sané’s departure was disappointing, it’s not the end of the world when all’s said and done.

It will be really sad to see David Silva leave this summer, though. The little magician is a bit past his best now but he’s arguably the club’s greatest ever player and it won’t be the same without him next season.

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CC: Who is the most popular player at City with the fans now - Phil Foden?

OF: To be honest Foden has been popular with the fans since before he even made his first-team debut. He’s a local lad, a boyhood City fan and he’s absolutely class. What’s not to love?

There have been concerns at times that he wasn’t being used as often as he should have been and I wondered whether he might get itchy feet and want to go somewhere else, as happened with Jadon Sancho.

But Guardiola seems to be putting a bit more faith in him these days and with Silva leaving in the summer, I think next season will be Foden’s time to truly shine.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!CC: Why have performances been so inconsistent?

OF: I really wish I had an answer to this question but I’m not sure even Guardiola himself could tell you.

I think failing to replace Vincent Kompany has been our biggest problem this season, especially after Laporte got injured.

The defence has been too flimsy, the midfield hasn’t been protective enough, and I think Sané’s injury deprived us of an extra option in attack.

That win over Liverpool was a great demonstration of what City are capable of, but the defeat to Southampton was the story of our season really.
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CC: Are you surprised Bournemouth are in trouble?

OF: A little bit yes, because you seemed to have established yourselves as a pretty comfortable lower mid-table club and I would have backed you to stay up pretty easily before the season began.

I must admit I haven’t watched a great deal of Bournemouth this season, but I did see the recent Newcastle defeat and I was pretty alarmed by your performance that night.

Before the win over Leicester I wouldn’t have given you much hope of survival, but now you never know.

CC: Did Guardiola bring in enough players?

OF: As I mentioned earlier, I think not replacing Kompany was a huge mistake and one they need to rectify as a priority in the summer. We probably also need a new left-back as Benjamin Mendy can’t be relied upon week in, week out.

And I’m wondering if it might be time to bring in a striker as I’m not convinced by Gabriel Jesus, personally. But apart from that we have a great squad that’s capable of beating anyone on its day.

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CC: Is there any hope for Bournemouth?

OF: Given City play Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, I think there’s a good chance of Guardiola resting players for the Bournemouth game, so there’s some hope for you there.

The fact it’s also a massive game in terms of Bournemouth’s survival hopes but a dead rubber for City could give your boys the edge too. I’m not saying I’m expecting us to lose, but I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if we did.


CC: Wow, a Man City fan who thinks it is possible for them to slip up against lowly Bournemouth. Thanks Dan, I'll take any hope you can provide in what has been a desperate position for AFC Bournemouth. I suppose even a weakened Man City team will have players trying to prove a point to the manager tough and I think that could be the danger in this game. Man City are a good team whoever they put out and it is all for Bournemouth to do. Still, being the underdog has never  shaken Bournemouth and they'll try and rise to this game like it was a final.

Please take a look at One Football for some more excellent Football views.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Stanislas is so underrated

Premier Talk - is the impossible escape on for AFCB?

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Stanislas is so underrated

There have been many seasons where Junior Stanislas has watched on from the sidelines with injuries. He has been a really unlucky player in some respects and yet the quality of his abilities can't be denied. He is perhaps the most talented Bournemouth player, we just don't get to see him often enough. But now he is flourishing again and he can't be ignored.

Junior is proving that he is one of the most talented players in AFCB's squadI was most surprised when Junior started on the bench against Leicester. He had played well against Spurs and most fans expected him to be starting on the left. Instead Eddie chose Danjuma and he had a pretty poor half. But when Stanislas did come on, Bournemouth suddenly had a player who knew exactly how to hurt Leicester and he did it with some tight close control and an eye for goal.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!The penalty that Stanislas stepped up to take was also an important moment. While Josh King was not on the field as our usual penalty taker, I was expecting Callum Wilson to take it, especially as he was fouled and is leading the goal chart for the Cherries. But Stanislas who had come on as a sub had no hesitation in wanting to take it. It must have been pre-planned that he would take a penalty, if one came up. I had no doubt he would score. Despite Kasper Schmeichel's antics before the kick, Stanislas just looked down and concentrated on the ball and the spot from where the kick would be struck. A few bounces of the ball an he was ready and slipped the ball casually down the middle of the goal. It could be Bournemouth's most important goal of the season I feel.

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While Stanislas might be annoyed that he didn't get the rights to his second goal and Bournemouth's third, he did everything to make the goal. He had Leicester defenders going backwards and on their heels, and while his shot was deflected he was always steering his way to goal and making room for the shot that in the end was struck well enough to find the net. He deserved a bit of luck and the deflection gave Schmeichel no chance of making a save.

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All this would be a great performance for any sub, but Stanislas was also playing as a wing back on the right side, which is not somewhere that he has played recently or in a while. But he embraced the position and wanted to do well. If Bournemouth do stay up, a lot of it will be because of Junior Stanislas just like it was in the first season when Bournemouth had to fight to stay in the Premier League.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes – How big a loss is Aké

Premier Talk - Is the impossible escape on for AFCB?

How big a loss is Aké?

The only disappointing fact to come out of the win against Leicester City was the sight of seeing Nathan Aké being helped off of the field after 40 minutes. Leicester City were already one-nil up by then and Aké's block, that forced him off, probably stopped Bournemouth from going 0-2 down. So while it was an important challenge, the cost to Bournemouth could be that Aké has played his last game for the Cherries with many clubs said to be keen for his signature this summer.
Aké has been fantastic, but it looks like
Bournemouth will have to do without him now.We were likely to see Aké bought at some point and it has been great to have seen him play more than 100 games for the Cherries. He is one of the best defenders in the league and he will go to a top six club if he stays in the Premier League. I would expect Chelsea would be most likely to go for him, but Man City could try and lure him to the Etihad.

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For Bournemouth fans the cost starts right now. Aké is most likely out for the rest of the season and Bournemouth are left with the three most important games in 2020 to go without him. The way Eddie Howe coped with Aké coming off against Leicester was to bring on Steve Cook and he is a natural replacement for the upcoming games. The big change though was at half-time and switching to three at the back. Jack Stacey and Junior Stanislas were superb in those positions, and playing three at the back is likely to be the best way in dealing with the injury list of defenders that are building up now.

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The loss of Aké will only matter if it gets in the players' heads. They managed to keep a clean sheet for the rest of the game after Aké went off, so they know they can defend well. The new system also suits Bournemouth going forward and should be a good way to play Man City who tend to overrun teams in midfield.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!Lloyd Kelly has had one wobble, but in general has acquitted himself well as a centre-back. He'll have to get used to playing with Steve Cook now and probably Rico as a back three. So, I don't see Aké's absence as a killer blow for Bournemouth, but obviously it is not ideal. Aké may well have done enough though to help AFCB stay in the premier league already. It will be hard to see hime go but in Lloyd Kelly, I think Bournemouth have another super defender in the making.

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