Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 25

Solanke has arrived at AFCB

When you look at an AFC Bournemouth team sheet and see the name of Dominic Solanke, the first thing you may think of is, we must be short of fit strikers. It hasn't all been Dominic's fault. He just hasn't had any luck in starting his goal scoring at Bournemouth - that is until last night!
I'm so pleased for Dominic Solanke to finally get off the
 mark for Bournemouth in a Premier League game.The first half was pretty poor even by Bournemouth's recent standards since the restart. The team wasn't really doing well enough. Who do you expect to get the goals in the second half for Bournemouth? Well I expect you could have counted the number of Bournemouth fans who would have thought it should be Dominic Solanke.

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But we know Solanke is good with his feet and can beat players. He just hasn't shown the finishing quality that he would have liked. Against Leicester he kept calm when he got through on goal, and even though Schmeichel nearly saved it, and the ball bobbled, and slowly dribbled over the line - it went in. I suppose that was always how Solanke was going to score, and the way it annoyed Leicester was evident in that they lost their composure.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!To score a second goal as well on the night is going to be even bigger for Solanke. He will feel that he is on a roll. And the way he scored his second was also pleasing for him as it was a gamble. It was just a moment of inspiration to follow the ball going back and to nip in and score, by rounding Bennett and putting the ball through Schmeichel's legs.

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It was a shame Solanke didn't score in front of the home fans. But if he keeps scoring in the next few games he will get the biggest thank you from Bournemouth fans. Solanke has been an enigma. I don't know why he has been such a goal shy striker. But scoring against one of the best teams in the league should give him the leg up he needs to believe in himself.

Previous post ob Cherry Chimes - Solanke sores twice  for AFCB to win 4-1 against Leicester City

Solanke scores twice for AFCB to win 4-1 against Leicester City

Match ReportBournemouth 4 v 1 Leicester City12 July 2020
It was great to finally see a remarkable fightback from the Cherries last night. Leicester came and played like a top four team in the first half. There looked no way back at half -time, after a Jamie Vardy goal had put the Foxes ahead on 23 minutes. Bournemouth were out of it. But things changed at half-time. The team set up with wing backs and started to win possession. A poor goal kick that hit Ndidi's backside opened the door for Bournemouth. Callum Wilson raced in and he was taken down by Ndidi, a penalty resulted. Stanislas scored and Bournemouth were up an running. Solanke hadn't scored a Premier League goal for Bournemouth, but he took on Leicester's right side and stuck a shot under Schmeichel's legs to make it 2-1. With Söyüncü sent off for swinging a kick at Callum Wilson, Bournemouth had the momentum. Stanislas was setting the pace and his step overs confused the Leicester defence and his shot went in off Johnny Evans. Solanke rushed in for his second with a nutmeg and Bournemouth were 4-1 up. Bournemouth suddenly will need some stopping!
Bournemouth pull off a remarkable win over Leicester CityBournemouth made three changes to the line-up with Arnaut Danjuma, Diminic Solanke and Jack Stacey coming into the team. Out when Adam Smith, Joshua King with a hamstring problem and Junior Stanislas. was moved to the bench. Jack Simpson and Philip Billing also made the bench.

Match Description
Leicester City kicked off with the pitch under the Main stand in shade. Kelly had the chance to put the ball out for a corner, but hesitated and gave Leicester the ball in a dangerous right wing situation.

Callum Wilson stretched to try and get on a right wing cross from Brooks, but it was too deep. Bournemouth push down the right again, but Callum Wilson fouled Evans.

Kelly goes for a long through but Aké doesn't win it. Danjuma runs out of room on the left touchline. Bournemouth clear well form their box. Pérez down the left. Vardy gets a shot and is blocked.

Aké just gets a chest in the way to clear ahead of  Iheanacho. Ramsdale got nowhere near the cross. Corner to Leicester, Pérez chips the ball over. Fuchs gets a cross in. Bournemouth don't clear but Iheanacho, shoots over on 10 minutes.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!Kelly deals with  Iheanacho well. Solanke does a great turn on Albrighton, but it's been given as a foul.

Ryan Bennett comes on for Albrighton. Brooks runs out of room near the corner flag. Pérez gets the ball in the box, but used his hand.

Vardy puts a low cross in but Ramsdale gets down to make the save. Aké does well clearing up Callum Wilson fouls Ndidi on half way. Rico makes a mess of a ball back, Vardy has a chance but is blocked.

Danjuma is hounded but gives the ball away.  Vardy shots but it's looped up for Ramsdale. A cross from Bennett from the left.

Gosling has lost the ball on the right Kelly tries to clear and Vardy is there in the six yard box and scores on 24 minutes. Awful attempt at a clearance form Kelly. 23 minutes gone.

Gosling has a head injury. Bournemouth free kick. Iheanacho  gives Ramsdale another save to make low to his right. Iheanacho makes space for another shot but it's easy for Ramsdale. Gosling is booked for a foul on Pérez.

Callum couldn't get passed Söyüncü on half way. Rico does well to find Solanke. The cross comes back to Brooks but he can't get a shot away. Leicester on the break and Rico blocks Justin's cross.

Danjuma has give the ball all the way back to Vardy and luckily Vardy can't get past Aké. Great block. Aké has an injury. What was Danjuma doing? Aké can hardly walk.
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Steve Cook is coming on for Aké. Steve Cook heads the corner away. A long shot from Ndidi goes wide. Callum Wilson is feeding off of crumbs. 

Kelly puts a wild pass out of touch. Gosling gives the ball away.  No shots for Bournemouth tonight so far. Bournemouth, just an't keep the ball well enough when in Leicester's half. Brooks loses the ball to Ndidi.

Five minutes of added time. Lerma turns well. A shot from David Brooks is pushed out for a corner by Schmiechel. We have waited 46 minutes for that. Schmeichel catches the ball from the corner.

Bournemouth are having to defend. At least Brooks' shot might help lift the players. Corner for Leicester. Ramsdale has tipped another shot behind from Justin for a corner.

Long shot from Fuchs, but it goes wide. Another corner. It's cleared this time by Lerma.

Bournemouth on the attack. A cross for Solanke, but he is beaten to the ball by Schmeichel.

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Second Half
Danjuma and Gosling are subbed and Stanislas and Billing are on. Iheanacho is off and  Praet os on.

Bournemouth change to three at the back. Stacey and Stanislas are playing as wing backs, but on the opposite wings to normal. Brooks is playing behind the front two.

Stanislas played it into Solanke in the box, but he lost control. 

Brooks plays Wilson but it's a bad first touch. Still, Bournemouth look like they might create something. Solanke has it but runs into a teammate, David Brooks.

Praet in the box has lost it to Kelly. Shot from Pérez is straight at Ramsdale. Callum Wilson goes down but nothing doing. Söyüncü just used his weight.

Stanislas tries to find Brooks but Brooks is unbalanced. It's 38 games since Bournemouth last win a game from being behind.

Brooks tries to find Stacey but it's been cut out. Bournemouth look much better set up this half. Callum Wilson is offside.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!Billing is injured. Bournemouth have a free kick in Leicester's half. Brooks mis-hits the ball, Steve Cook hits it across the box and Callum Wilson didn't shoot - he just couldn't get to it.

Ramsdale catches a Vardy cross well. Kelly blocks from Tielemans.

A goal kick is right at the defender Ndidi. Callum Wilson, and he's been brought down in the box - penalty! Stanislas to take. 1-1 on 66 minutes. Only a yellow card for Ndidi, even though he was last man.

Ball over the top. Wilson misses the header. Down the left ad Solanke has scored on 68 minutes. Callum Wilson goes to get the ball and catches Söyüncü who lashes out with a kick at Wilson and is sent off.

Barnes comes on for Pérez. Stanislas puts a cross in and its cleared by Leicester. Stacey gets a ball in but Wilson can't get a shot off.

Bournemouth haven't won from being behind since August 2018. Barnes but Kelly blocks the pass. Steve Cook blocks a ball going to Vardy.

Stanislas and Brooks, Brooks has won a corner. Some great skill by Bournemouth's number 20. Billing is down. Brooks puts a good ball in but Schmeichel is there. 10 minutes to go.

Brooks is subbed for Lewis Cook. Lerma makes a long pass for Stanislas. Stanislas makes some step overs and it's deflected in on 83 minutes. Stanislas buried it, off Evans' legs.


Advertisement Coastal Garden BuildingsStanislas is getting a lot of the ball. Great interception from Solanke and he is on goal, around Bennett, 4-1 on 87 minutes. Through the keeper's legs.

Surridge is on for Callum Wilson on 90 minutes. Surridge is through and he's hammered it off the cross bar. Evans made a poor header and Surridge was in. It could have been five.

Stanislas plays a free kick in and Surridge heads over at the far post. Barnes has a shot and Ramsdale saved with his feet. Corner to Leicester. Wow, full time.

Summary
A game of two halves - absolutely! Bournemouth were outplayed. Leicester City were cruising. Aké was injured and limped off. What happened at half-time? Eddie changed the system to wing backs and Brooks went through the middle. It didn't have an immediate impact but a bit of luck from a badly hit goal kick, and the game turned around completely. Bournemouth found there scoring boots and Dominic Solanke was on fire. A double from him, one from the penalty spot from Stanislas, and an own goal off Johnny Evans, from another Stanislas shot and goals were suddenly easy to come by, as Leicester went down to 10-men. It is still likely that Bournemouth have too much to do, but what will this win do for confidence. Anything is possible and Eddie How loves a challenge - they don't come bigger than Man City in the next game.
AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: 1 Boruc, 3 S Cook, 25 Simpson,
6 Surman, 16 L Cook, 19 Stanislas,
22 H Wilson, 29 Billing, 44 SurridgeAFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 5,  Stacey 7,  Aké 8 (S Cook 6),  Kelly 6,  Rico 5,  Brooks 5 (L Cook 5),  Gosling 4 (Billing 5),  Lerma 5,   Danjuma 3 (Stanislas 7), Solanke 9, C Wilson 4 (Surridge 5)
Cherry Chimes MoM- Dominic Solanke closely followed by Ndid'd bottom!

Raf Watch: 8/10 Stuart Attwell - had a good match and took the responsibility of sending Söyüncün off with no hesitation
Leicester City
1 Schmeichel, 2 Justin, 6 Evans, 4 Söyüncün (sent off 67), 11 Albrighton (Bennett 16),
25 Ndidi, 8 Tielemans, 28 Fuchs, 17 Pérez, 14 Iheanacho (Praet  45), 9 Vardy


Leicester City Subs
5 Morgan, 7 Gray, 12 Ward, 15 Barnes, 20 Choudhury, 22 James, 24 Mendy, 26 Praet, 29 Bennett

Leicester will test Bournemouth more than Spurs did

Bournemouth can be pleased with their clean sheet against Spurs. The run the club has been on has been abysmal, and to finally keep a clean sheet is proof that work has been done to make this improvement. But Spurs don't have a good away record, and while they have Harry Kane and Lamela, they didn't really have much to worry Ramsdale, In fact Spurs managed no shots on target.
Bournemouth are now six points from safety with four games to go.I don't think it will be quite the same when Bournemouth play Leicester City. Leicester have been scoring consistently and in their last three away games, the Foxes have scored three goals. It isn't a big total, but they have had two draws out of those games. Jamie Vardy in particular is finding the net regularly and AFC had a nightmare against him earlier in the season. He's leading the golden boot race and will be hungry to increase his total. A bit of hope is that Leicester have not won one of their last five away games.


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Leicester also have plenty to play for as they try and hold on to their fourth place in the league. They have only lost nine games all season, so there is no reason to believe they will be anything but a very big challenge for the Cherries. In recent meetings Leicester have got the better of AFCB, but Bournemouth need this game to have a very different outcome.

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For that to happen the defence will have to be even better than it was against Spurs. Leicester will punish mistakes, and that is what ACB have to guard against. Leicester will chase down the ball and try and box defenders in, and we have seen what the pace of Vardy does when the long ball is played over the top. This game is a huge challenge and requires the utmost concentration. While I don't think it will be a problem in bringing Jack Stacey into the back four, Bournemouth have to get their defence right  this game to have any chance of winning.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!There may not be many changes but Jack Stacey is expected to come in for Adam Smith who was injured against Spurs and Harry Wilson could come in for David Brooks who has shown a loss of form. With West Ham and Watford winning yesterday, the situation already looks beyond AFCB to stay up but they will fight to the end.

It was a sad day yesterday with the passing of Jack Charlton, RIP big Jack!

AFCB home form
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Leicester City Away form 
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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Where are the goals coming from?


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Where are the goals coming from?

Bournemouth have played five games since the restart and have scored just three goals in that time. The shots have slowly started to creep up and Bournemouth have started to get more shots in target, but it has been a grind.
Will Harry get more big chances in the coming games and will he take any of them?Callum Wilson can count himself unlucky with his last minute goal that was disallowed against Spurs. While he took that chance well, it is hard to remember any other chances that Callum made and that is a worry for Eddie Howe. If Callum is not getting the service, then who is going to score the goals?
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Josh King also had a goal disallowed and we might have expected Josh to have seen some goal action playing up next to Callum, but he again didn't trouble Lloris very much in the Tottenham goal. It was Stanislas and Harry Wilson who were perhaps just as likely to score and while Stanislas had a snap shot that almost caused trouble on half-time, it wasn't until added time that Harry Wilson got his chance. The problem with it coming so late is that Harry knew it could be a winner, and he just didn't take it well enough to beat Lloris.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!While Bournemouth had a lot of corners, they didn't get any of their big defenders' head to the crosses, and the crosses were pretty weak all game. Crossing is certainly an area that could be improved. The attacks could have been a bit more direct as well, but I think Howe has to play Danjuma to get that direct pace in the team.

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While fans also enquire about Surridge, it looks like Eddie won't give him any more game time unless the clubs position is confirmed. When it's all over bar the shouting is probably when Surridge will get a go. I can't see why Howe didn't give Danjuma or Surridge on for the last 10 minutes against Spurs, but fresh legs were not introduced. Eddie Howe will need to find goals from somewhere through in this next game. Let's hope he uses his subs well as the players had a hard game against Spurs.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Time is running out for AFCB

Time is running out for AFCB

Another game and one point on the total. Bournemouth tried valiantly against Tottenham to create chances but they couldn't score a valid goal in the 90 minutes. Eddie Howe will know that here were chances and big chances to win the game, but luck and quality deserted Bournemouth's players when they had the opportunity to score.
Josh King had a goal ruled out against Spurs.While Bournemouth have closed the gap marginally on West Ham and Watford, they still need that win to get back on level terms. To put some pressure on those above them it looks like the Cherries will heave to win against Leicester, and take their chances of not getting beaten too badly by Man City next week. It is going to be tough and we had no doubts that it would be.

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The other teams have some winnable games, but if fate is as cruel to West Ham or Watford as it has been to the Cherries then one of these teams may not picking up anymore points. Bournemouth need the door to be opened slightly as they are constantly playing catch up now. The goal difference is going to act like another point against Bournemouth as well at the current rate of events. It looks like West Ham have the best fixtures and Bournemouth need them to take points off of Watford, when they play each other, as Watford seem to have the harder fixtures.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!Eddie Howe was clear that stopping the losing run was vital. Getting a clean sheet was a bonus, and he'll need to convince his players that they can keep any team out if they can get a clean sheet against Spurs. Concentrating on getting the better of their opponents is the key. They can't afford anymore dropped points, and Bournemouth can only apply pressure to Watford and West Ham by winning games. Being an underdog has always suited the Cherries. The race is nearly over, but a home win against Leicester City would start to see a few nervous bookies who had already written Eddie Howe and his team off.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth have no luck in goalless draw with Spurs

Bournemouth have no luck in goalless draw with Spurs

Match ReportAFCB v Spurs9 July 2020How is your luck? Bournemouth couldn't have hoped to face a more woeful and shy-shot Tottenham Hotspur side, but Bournemouth couldn't get the goal they needed to win the game. Bournemouth almost gave a penalty away, when King bundled into the back of Kane, but it was a strong first half performance by the Cherries with Stanislas going closest to scoring with a low drive on the turn, which Lloris just kept out. Spurs were much better coming forward in the second half, but Bournemouth had chances to win the game. Josh King thought that he had scored, but Stanislas was offside. And on 90 minutes we thought Callum Wilson had scored, but the ball had brushed off Josh King's arm on the way in and was disallowed by VAR. Worse still, Harry Wilson had a chance to win the game in added time and couldn't beat Lloris one on one. One point will be taken, but it's probably not enough. Adam Smith was also worryingly stretchered off with a head injury.
Adam Smith could be out for a while after a nasty head injury. Bournemouth dropped Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook to the bench to allow Callum Wilson and Dan Gosling to come into the side. Diego Rico and Lloyd Kelly kept their places, while Andrew Surman returned to the bench, but there were no places for Chris Mepham or Philip Billing and Jack Stacey was left on the bench, rather than replacing Adam Smith who I had expected to be dropped.

Spurs brought in Vertonghen for Dier, who was suspended and Lamela replaced Son Heung-Min, who moved to the bench.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!Match Description
Bournemouth don't look very settled in the first few minutes. Lerma fouls Lamela and Gosling also leaves a foot in on Kane. Adam Smith can't get his cross in and Brooks fouls Davies. 

Aurier puts a ball all the way across the box from the right and Adam Smith has to put it behind. Kane is clattered by King and VAR is looking at the incident, but no penalty is given.

Spurs are dominating possession. Bournemouth already look second best. Adam Smith gets forward well and wins a throw. Lerma puts a deep ball in but King and Stanislas can't get a shot in. King wins a corner off Lamela.

Gosling is winning possession and Rico's early ball in is cleared. Lo Celso fouls Callum Wilson.it's a bit far out for Brooks. Rico and King are over the ball and it's hung up for Lloris, too easy.

Both teams are giving the ball away. Stanislas passes through to King but he's lost control on the edge of the box.

Rico tackles Aurier cleanly. Callum Wilson is fouled by Lamela on the right side of the box on 18 minutes. David heads away, Bournemouth have a corner but Kelly can't get the ball back in.
AdvertisementGosling is fouled by Lamela. Lerma heads it at the far post but Kane clears in the six yard box for a corner. Two corners follow for Bournemouth. Brooks crosses but can't find his man.

Adam Smith is fouled. Bournemouth keep up the pressure. Gosling does well up the left.  A long throw. Callum Wilson turns and shoots but can't get a clear hit. King can't reach a cross and Lloris picks it out of the air.

Tottenham's attack on the right is blocked by Aké bravely ahead of Lamela. Another corner for Spurs and another. Ramsdlae catches the corner ball.

King does well and Brooks into King but Spur's clear. Lerma and Sissoko go head to head and Adam Smith comes in. Sissoko and Lerma are booked on 31 minutes. Aké almost gets on the end of the free kick.

Davies gets behind but Bournemouth clear with Gosling. Gosling is giving some steel to midfield. The ball breaks for Stanislas and Brooks has a pop at a long shot, corner. Stanislas takes the corner. It's too high.
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King keeps losing the ball. Gosling is the saviour again. Rico has to block an Aurier cross for a corner. Ramsdale catches cleanly. Lamela fouls Rico. Good position on the left for Bournemouth. It comes in low but straight at the keeper.

Brooks already has his socks around his ankles. Aké blocks well. Lamela goes for a long shot but t's well over. Bournemouth were slow to close him down.

Rico's cross. Stanislas forces a s save low on the turn from Lloris, corner. Spurs clear. Two added minutes go up.
Gosling has a superb game.Second half 
Son Heung-Min and Ndombele, are coming on for Bergwijn and Lo Celso. Stanislas is fouled. Brooks almost bursts through. Spurs pick up possession. Sissoko is fouled. Lerma fouls Lamela right in front of the box. A dangerous place to give a way a free kick.

Kane is looking to take it. Adam Smith takes the blow in the wall, lower chest. He's okay. Rico is down now. Stanislas through to Callum Wilson, who goes down under pressure from Vertonghen, no penalty.

Adam Smith takes another blow, this time to the head, from Davies. Stacey is coming on for Adam Smith on 63 minutes. Winks skies a shot from distance. 

Harry Wilson is coming on for David Brooks on 66 minutes. Stacey gets a few passes away well. Aké clears from Aurier's cross. Corner to Spurs. Bournemouth goal kick.

King is in behind but it's off Davies for a corner. King puts the header wide at the back post. Callum Wilson does well to win the ball, but Harry Wilson gives it away cheaply. Kelly stops a ball to Kane on his six yard line.

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Spurs are subbing Sissoko or Lucas Moura on 75 minutes. Ndombele makes a good run, then over hits a pass. Gosling gets in ahead of Kane. Kane to Davies and Bournemouth scramble it away. Another cross and Lamela can't quite direct it in target.

King on the right, and Harry Wilson loses it. Spurs are improving. Rico gets a saving tackle in on Moura and Spurs come a gain and have a corner. Lerma wins the header, Stacey then clears under the bar.

Another shot from Aurier and it's a corner. Moura turns and shots, deflected for a corner. Aké gets it away. Spurs rack up another corner. Lerma gets it out.

Callum Wilson is caught late, Stanislas races down the left and crosses for King to score, but Stanislas was offside. The goal won't count. Ndombele is carded for the foul on Callum Wilson. 

Bournemouth only have a free kick. Gosling is booked. Another free kick to Bournemouth. Wilson has a shot and Lerma heads, Callum Wilson has clipped it in with an overhead kick on 90 minutes! VAR check, did it hit Callum Wilson's arm?  No goal.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!12 minutes of added time. Spurs sub Aurier for Carvalho Fernandes. Corner to Bournemouth. Lloris catches the ball.

Stacey up for Callum Wilson, but Gosling can't get to the ball. 

King makes a cross field pass, Harry Wilson is through on Lloris and the shot is saved! What a chance missed. Six minutes to go. Will Bournemouth get a better chance than that?

Spurs win a corner. King brings the ball out. Ramsdale has cramp. Bournemouth clear their box. Gosling went in on Moura but no foul was given. 


Harry Wilson blows his big match winning chance.Summary
Bournemouth had chances to put this game to bed, but they just couldn't score despite some major incidents. It feels like two points dropped, and yet it is great that Bournemouth finally have their fifth clean sheet of the season. They are now three points from safety with games running out and move ahead of Aston Villa in the table. The good point is that it was against a top half team, but Tottenham looked as clueless as Bournemouth in front of goal. Harry Wilson will have nightmares about his late chance, but he'll have to live with it. This game was calling out to be won and even though Bournemouth had the ball in the back of the net a couple of times, they just haven't had any luck. Let's hope Adam Smith recovers quickly as well.

AFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 7, A Smith 5, Aké 7, Kelly 6, Rico 5, Brooks 5, Lerma 5, Gosling 8, Stanislas 7, King 5, C Wilson 5


AFCB Line-up AFCB Subs: Boruc, Stacey, Steve Cook, Lewis Cook,
Surman, Danjuma, Harry Wilson. Solanke, Surridge.Cherry Chimes MoM - Dan Gosling

Ref Watch: Paul Tierney 2/10 - lots of late calls and perhaps he should have given Spurs a penalty early on.

Tottenham
1 Lloris, 24 Aurier (Carvalho Fernandes90), 4 Alderweireld, 5 Vertonghen, 33 Davies, 17 Sissoko (Moura 75), 8 Winks, 18 Lo Celso (Ndombele 45), 11 Lamela, 10 Kane, 23 Bergwijn (Son Heung-Min 45)

Spurs Subs:  6 D Sánchez, 7 Son Heung-Min, 19 R Sessegnon, 22 Gazzaniga,
27 Lucas Moura, 28 Ndombele, 29 Skipp, 30 Carvalho Fernandes, 53 White

Have Bournemouth got any hope against Spurs?

The game against Spurs could well seal Bournemouth's fate. It won't be mathematically impossible to claw out of trouble if Bournemouth lose the game, but we will just be waiting for the 'fat lady to sing' as they say. But could a shock be on the cards?
Bournemouth try again tonight o get a home win at Dean CourtTottenham's form has been sporadic. They did the job against West Ham, even if they didn't look fully in charge, and they were well beaten by a Sheffield United side who themselves were searching for form. Even the win against Everton was only a 1-0 victory. The swagger of Spurs seems to be a long time in returning, but they will believe that with Son and Kane back on the pitch they can rip Bournemouth apart.

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Bournemouth need to frustrated and do all they can to repel and annoy Spurs. If Spurs can't get an early breakthrough, Bournemouth will grow in confidence. But let's face it, Bournemouth haven't been good at doing that. The players will know that another defeat now though pretty much puts them out of contention being four points from safety.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!They have to just concentrate on the game they have. Bournemouth need to try and win it and move on to the next one looking to win that. If they think too hard about what the table is at the moment, they will be beaten before they even go onto the field. We could of course find that now they know they are in a terrible position they unlock the shackles and play without fear. We can only hope they play like they can and give the fans something to smile about after some wretched performances since the restart.


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Cherry Chimes answers questions from Leicester Til I Die ahead of AFCB v Leicester City.

Possible AFCB line up AFCB Subs: Boruc, Francis, A Smith, L Cook, Gosling,  H Wilson,
Danjuma, Solanke, Surridge.Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Howe still has hope


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Tottenham Away Form
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Eddie Howe still has hope

The pre-match interview of Eddie Howe for the Spurs match was a difficult watch. I felt for him as he is clearly dumfounded why he hasn't managed to turn things round already and yet he still believes he can save the club from relegation. The bit that got me was his love of the club and the fact that he always believes he has more to give. But his belief just hasn't transmitted to the players well enough yet.
Eddie still believes, but do the players?If we had 11 Eddie Howe's on the pitch, AFCB wouldn't just be in the Premier League they'd be storming it. He has an unbelievable drive and his single football desire is for the Cherries to reach an elevated level in the football world. Time and opportunities are running out, but Eddie still thinks a single win could change the Cherries' season.


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If Watford and Aston Villa don't pick up points this week, following West Ham's defeat to Burnley, and Bournemouth beat Tottenham, the odds would still be against Eddie Howe keeping the Cherries up. Yet, Eddie won't throw in the towel, and he finds it hard to get the words out that the players haven't been able to score when going behind in games. 

The first goal in the match against Tottenham will be vital again for confidence and yet Bournemouth also have to find a way of defending better than they did against Man United if they do get the lead. It is difficult to find positives and Eddie is hanging on the fact that the team did score two goals in their last game. Eddie knows he can only try and win the games to come, and won't waste time or energy thinking about anything else. It is hard to be that focussed. Eddie is special if he can do that.


Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!Being in the Premier League means everything for Eddie and doing it with AFC Bournemouth clearly means more to him than anything. Now he is facing not being there next season and even this season he will remember games in this league. It shouldn't be a sad season, it is about taking on the best. Eddie expects the season to be reignited, but we have been waiting for it since the restart, and it is hard to see what has changed for AFC Bournemouth to get them over the line in games.

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If the Cherries did beat Tottenham though, fans would begin to wonder if the impossible is possible. Good luck AFCB and Eddie. We want you to win, even if are faith has been shaken. UTCIAD!

Cherry Chimes answers questions from Leicester Til I Die ahead of AFCB v Leicester City.


Previous post on Cherry Chimes - AFCB give a performance but still need a result

AFCBTV match preview

AFCB give a performance but still need a result

Bournemouth have probably got the the level of performance now that they needed to find when they began the restart. They have been sleepwalking towards relegation and it may well be too late now to wake from their sleep. The annoying feeling is that it has been a missed opportunity to try and stay in the division. After the home win over Brighton, the crowd really felt that the club was together and going to give the last few games a real go,. But we have seen a flat AFC Bournemouth since the restart and it is likely to cost them their Premier League status.
It's time for a clear out.The defeat to Manchester United could have been a very different result if the penalty had not given Man United a way into the game and even at 3-2 Bournemouth could have drawn level at 3-3. The belief was not really there from this team though, and it was not a big surprise to see Man Utd claw their way back and start to extend their lead.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!Bournemouth are a team that have gone on a win less run for nine games in the league which is relegation form by anyone's book. Four clean sheets all season are simply not enough, and while we have now seen a performance, it is wins that we needed. For a while the other teams around Bournemouth have given them a chance by not picking up points, but now Bournemouth look consolidated in 19th place.

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Picking the club up is going to be a big project before next season. The board needs to get the players out quickly that they are going to sell, and to bring in some good young layers that are ambitious. Bournemouth need players that have the same hinger and desire as we saw back in 2014-15 and it may take a while to find that calibre of player. My worry is that many of those players were not actually bought by Eddie Howe, but in the Paul Groves era. So, Howe still has to show that he can buy better than he has in recent seasons.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Better defending still needed for the Cherries

Better defending still needed for the Cherries

Junior Stanislas admitted that the team as a whole needed to defend better in his post-match interview after the Man Utd game. He did well at sowing up most of the left side, although Rico still found himself tested occasionally. It was the right side that was real problem area for Bournemouth against Man United, and I do think switching Adam Smith back to right back has not really worked.
Adam Smith has been run ragged.Adam Smith was unlucky with his handball I suppose, but you have to be careful in the penalty box, and he did rush in. On the plus side he did make the cross that led to Bournemouth's goal in the opening few minutes of the game. But you have to look at Adam Smith again for the first goal that Greenwood scored and the goal just on half-time, when he didn't get anywhere near Martial when he cracked in his goal. Adam Smith certainly had a torrid game, but he didn't get a lot of help.

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Bournemouth don't seem able to react in a game when they are being overrun on one side. They need to sense danger better and look to make themselves harder to beat, as Stanislas says. The work rate was better against Man United, but not enough of the players wanted to do the dirty work of tracking back and helping the defence. It was all a bit hopeful that someone would win the ball so they could go straight on the attack.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!The problem this season is that Bournemouth haven't got the balance right. They have left themselves too open and haven't forced enough shots when they do go forward. They don't look capable of a clean sheet, and if you haven't got that in your locker than the team is always going to be on the back foot. 

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Howe can change the players and try different formations, but ultimately it is down to the players to work hard for each other and to be more determined not to get beat. Bournemouth have had a soft under belly this season and even West Ham and Watford are showing that when it comes to the death, their players are going to fight tooth and nail even for a point. I just don't see that in AFCB's players, but I hope I am wrong and that they can up their game against the best sides in the last five games.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Does Brooks need a rest?