Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 42

Come on Eddie stop the rot

The one thing Bournemouth fans have been clinging on to in this poor season is the fact that we have stuck with Eddie Howe. We know he is the best chance Bournemouth have at surviving a relegation battle, but Eddie is himself starting to look perplexed at the inability of his team to get the wins they need to get out of trouble. We need Eddie to stop the rot.
Winning seems so hard at the moment.In his post-match interview, Eddie Howe was not as flat as he has been in some other chats after a Bournemouth defeat. The game against Burnley was end to end and did have its moments for Bournemouth fans to get excited, but ultimately it was a bit of a tragedy the way the game was taken away from the players in the second half. There is a tendency for Bournemouth fans and players to feel sorry for themselves, but we can't escape the fact that the Cherries made mistakes and that contributed to Burnley's win.

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Eddie needs to get to the root of these problems. He has had most of the season to work out solutions, but because he has had so many injuries to players he never seems to get a break. But he has to get results from what he has now and we can't keep expecting something better if the players are going to give the ball away and switch off. Burnley scored their first goal with one long ball and Matej Vydra running at Simon Francis. It didn't take much to bypass nine of Bournemouth's players. We can argue about VAR forever, but the two early second half goals for Bournemouth completely sunk Bournemouth. There was no way back, and to lose a third goal was just a mark of how Burnley were enjoying the moment and were able to compound the misery of our players.

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We have had too many games that have ended quickly once Bournemouth have gone behind. There needs to be a change of fortune and if all of Bournemouth's remaining bad luck came in this game, then we can look forward to something better in the next few weeks. Let's hope that Eddie really can stop the rot, because Bournemouth aren't looking capable of picking up points away from home.

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Premier Talk - Liverpool 3 v 2 West Ham Utd - A let off for Bournemouth

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Another weekend a another defeat, what now for the Cherries?

Another weekend another defeat, what now for the Cherries?

It is easy to get down after watching Bournemouth at the moment. We are constantly hanging on the results of others to see if our plight is going to get worse. The disappointment for me is not that Bournemouth are simply losing games, but that we know the players are much better than what they have been producing.
Disappointment hits AFCB fans again.The more the players get caught up in the pressure to play well though, the worse they seem to get. We had some hope with the wins over Aston Villa and Brighton, but on the road the Cherries have been pretty toothless, scoring just one goal against Sheffield United since the start of the year at away grounds. The thing is that Bournemouth have been really in games. They could have got something at Bramall Lane and they could have got something at Turf Moor, but they aren't picking up points.

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The teams Bournemouth are playing are often not even playing decisively better, but Bournemouth are almost expecting the worst and unfortunately it's happening. I think that is just what happens when you are near the foot of the table. It's not that the players are not trying, but they haven't got their game together and they are starting to believe the worse could happen.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!The players need to snap out of their plight and start seeing that they can change things. They can keep feeling down about their situation or they can come out fighting. The fans will get behind them if the come out and try to raise their game. It's painful to see players that have done so well in the Premier League look like they have forgotten how to play well.



AdvertisementBournemouth's problems are probably mainly in their heads. The players still have the talent but they have too many negative thoughts in their heads. I say that because when things went against them at Burnley, we didn't see them managing to up their skill. Instead they got more tetchy and we saw bookings and aggression rather than calm heads and clear thinking. Pressure does strange things to us all, but Bournemouth have to find away of coping with it fast.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - We celebrated twice, but there was no joy at Burnley

We celebrated twice but there was no joy at Burnley

There is no doubt that VAR has changed football in the Premier League. You won't get clearer evidence of that than the defeat that Bournemouth suffered at Burnley. Matters conspired against the Cherries in some dramatic moments but it is becoming hard to celebrate goals these days when we know that VAR can take them away in a matter of minutes.
VAR took away potential points for the Cherries.That is what happened at Burnley. I thought the goal that King thought he had scored was particularly unlucky in that Billing was not looking at the ball, but was turning away from it when he was judged to have handled it with the ball coming off his shoulder before king rushed in to score. There is no doubt thought that Billing's contribution was key in the goal being scored and if the ball was redirected towards goal because of his intervention from a part of his body that is technically up for scrutiny in the rules, then you can understand why the VAR decision was made. There was no intention from Billing and it was perhaps ball to shoulder rather than shoulder moving towards the ball. The shoulder is not actually considered part of handball, so Bournemouth were very unlucky.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!The second decision for the handball from Adam Smith was much harsher. It not only ruled out a goal for Bournemouth but gave a penalty to Burnley as well. A two-goal swing if you like made by VAR and not the referee. Mike Dean didn't see any problem with Adam Smith's clearance at the time and whether it was a clear and obvious mistake by the referee was sure to be questioned by Eddie Howe. Sadly, any criticism of the officials and, more than ever VAR, has to be put aside and Bournemouth have to recover their spirit.

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For both goals Bournemouth fans thought they had got closer towards safety and it was cruelly taken away from the team. But these knocks can make Bournemouth stronger. The players will feel that they deserve more from games and they'll be even more fired up for the next match.

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Previous post in Cherry Chimes - VAR sickener for the Cherries at Burnley as two goals disallowed

VAR sickener form the Cherries at Burnley as two goals disallowed

Match ReportBurnley v AFCB22 February 2020Attendance: 18,227 Another big day for VAR.VAR had the biggest say in Bournemouth's match against Burnley. Chances fell to Callum Wilson and Matej Vydra in the first few minutes, but the shock of the first half was to see a Bournemouth Josh King goal ruled out by VAR for the ball previously coming off Billing's shoulder. Vydra had other chances to score as Francis struggled to keep him at bay, but so did Harry Wilson and Jack Stacey who couldn't beat Nick Pope, so it was 0-0 at half-time. That was nothing to the second half with Vydra putting the Clarets in front before Harry Wilson thought he had equalised, only to find that Adam Smith had made a handball in the build up and a penalty was awarded to Burnley with Jay Rodriguez making it 2-0. The game had gone and Burnley made sure with a late third goal from McNeil which was the pick of the goals. Even VAR hates Bournemouth now.

More bad news on the injury front saw Jefferson Lerma out with a back injury and Nathan Aké missing out having been concussed in mid-week training. Bournemouth really weren't helping themselves, but Steve Cook was back, while Rico was dropped to the bench to enable Jack Stacey to come in with Adam Smith moving to left back. Josh King also replaced Ryan Fraser on the left wing.

Burnley had their own problems with Chris Woods and Ashley Branes missing out but they brought in Jay Rodrigues and Matej Vydra.

It was a really gusty day at Turf Moor and Bournemouth could expect to be tested under the high ball with plenty of crosses aimed at Rodriguez. A former Burnley player' Brian Pilkington's life was celebrated with a minutes applause.

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Match Description
Bournemouth started well enough with plenty of touches at the back. Gosling played a good ball into Callum Wilson and he crossed for King, but was just kept off the ball. A snap shot from Calum Wilson is just saved by Pope's outstretched foot. Great start from the Cherries.

King is getting plenty of the ball on the left but is held up by two Burnley defenders. Adam Smith is bringing the ball out well. Bournemouth are looking to pinch the ball whenever they can. McNeil to Rodriguez and Francis blocks for a corner.

Stacey does well to stop Burnley's McNeil on the left wing. Stacey puts a cross in but Billing doesn't connect well.

A mess between Bournemouth defenders, Billing and Stacey looked at each other and Cork has a shot from 20 yards saved by Ramsdale. Sloppy from Bournemouth.

Francis gets it all wrong against Vydra who is in behind and beats Steve Cook but Ramsdale makes an amazing save on 11 minutes, down to his left. Bournemouth were far too open and we know Vydra has the pace to trouble Francis.

Harry Wilson does well to win possession. Simon Francis and Steve Cook look nervous at the back though and concede another corner. Surman puts it out for another corner. Bardsley goes through the back of Callum Wilson and is lucky to get away without a card.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!Stacey has a head injury. Harry Wilson as a drop shot but it's well wide on 18 minutes. Billing flows forward and has a shot deflected off Tarkowski for a corner on 21 minutes. It's in the cross from Surman went right across the six yard box and as it got flicked on by Billing and King could stab the ball home 0-1.

No, it's disallowed by VAR. Looks like Billing's shoulder but a very harsh decision on Bournemouth. It looked ball to shoulder and not shoulder to ball.

Cross from King and Harry Wilson heads it straight at Nick Pope! Bournemouth have had three great chances to be ahead, but haven't taken any of them. Bournemouth have at least been making chances.

Stacey wins a corner. Surman has a shot blocked. Callum Wilson can't get a shot away. Surman makes a mistake with Stacey on half way but McNeil can't make the most of it.

Gosling just gets back in time to take the ball off of Vydra as he cut in past Steve Cook. Bournemouth are starting to lose the ball in areas where they are under little pressure, it's careless. King wins a free kick against Bardesley.

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Billing tackles back but has given a free kick away. Steve Cook struggles to get the ball away with the ball flicking off the defender's right hand. Vydra is offside with a ball over the top.

King in the left to Stacey and the shot is saved by Pope at his left post. At the other end Ramsadale has to come out to stop Vydra, Francis headed it backwards straight to Vydra.

Ramsdale makes a punch. Burnley getting some possession as the first half come towards a close. Francis is booked, taking down Vydra, two minutes to half -time. The ball is deflected for a corner. Ramsdale catches cleanly.

A long shot from McNeil is held by Ramsdale. More blocks by Bournemouth defenders. It's a free kick to Bournemouth. Just one minute of added time.

AFCB possession 60%, Shots 8, Shots on target 3, Fouls 2
Burnley possession 40%, Shots 7, Shots on target 4, Fouls 4

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Second half
Francis skies a clearance. The wind is against Bournemouth this half. Gosling wins the ball well. Adam Smith gets a cross in which is knocked behind by McNeil for a corner to Bournemouth.

Taylor wins a Burnley corner. Surman heads it out on the near post. Bournemouth clear again. Callum Willson wins a soft foul. Bournemouth needed some possession. Pope punches clear.

Vydra on the break has cut inside Francis and shoots past Ramsdale it's 1-0 to Burnley on 52 minutes. VAR is reviewing the goal for a possible offside. The goal has been given. Francis just out played and over committed.

Bournemouth have to come out now. A shot from Gosling is held by Poe low to his left. Tarkowski now plays for time to slow the game down.

Callum Wilson breaks free and Harry Wilson has scored through the legs to make it 1-1 on 57 minutes, it's another VAR check. Did Adam Smith handball it? The goal has been disallowed and it's a penalty to Burnley. Ramsdale is beaten by Jay Rodrigues from the spot 2-0 on the hour.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!Bardsley is booked for a foul on Josh King. Bournemouth prepare a double sub. Fraser and Stanislas are coming on. A shot from Westwood is held by Ramsdale.

Burnley win a corner off Steve Cook. Surnam and Josh King are replaced on 70 minutes. Billing concedes a free kick and Ramsdale saves from Rodriguez, down to his right.

Ramsdale against Rodriguez one-on-one but Ramsdlae wins the battle and stands big.  Steve Cook was beaten by the pass and Rodriguez should have scored.

Harry Wilson is subbed fir Solanke on 74 minutes. Solanke makes a block from Jack Cork. Another chance for Burnley and Vydra has missed at the far post. Hendrick made the play from teh right and it came across the box and it was a tap in for Vydra really.

It's becoming end to end now.  Just 10 minutes to go. A strike from McNeil and he's hit the post from 25 yards. Burnley sub Vydra from Lennon on 82 minutes. Lennon is carded for fouling Surman.
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Lennon gets a cross in, but Bournemouth get it clear. Billing loses the ball. Bournemouth keep losing possession and this time they are punished as McNeil breaks and fires in a third on 87 minutes 3-0 to Burnley.

Another yellow card is handed out to Hendrick on Fraser. It's all kicking off with Adam Smith going in on Tarkowski. A yellow card to Adam Smith.

Burnley sub Cork and McNeil and on come Brownhill and Bradey on 90+1 minutes. Four minutes of added time are being played. Stacey is in and crosses and Callum Wilson has fired wide from six yards!

Solanke is taken down by Ben Mee on the edge of the box. Mee is yellow carded. Stanislas will take the free kick. It goes wide and that's it.

Summary
Bournemouth won't have many more painful games than this one. The score line was unjust, but Bournemouth didn't take their chances and VAR came in to sweep the game away from the Cherries. At the end of the day the Cherries had no luck and while as fans we can be encouraged by the first half performance. Football is cruel sometimes and Bournemouth simply have to recover better than they did in this game.


AFCB Starting line up AFCB Subs: Boruc, Rico, Simpson, L Cook, Stanislas, Fraser, SolankeAFCB Ratings:
Ramsdale 8, Stacey 6, Francis 3, S Cook 5, A Smith 6, H Wilson 5, Gosling 4, Surman 5, Billing 4, King 7, C Wilson 5

Burnley
1 Pope, 26 Bardsley, 5 Tarkowski, 6 Mee, 3 Taylor, 13 Hendrick, 18 Westwood,
4 Cork (Brownhll 90+1), 11 McNeil (Bradey 90+1), 19 Rodriguez, 27 Vydra (Lennon 82)

Burnley Subs: 
20 Hart, 7 Gudmundsson, 8 Brownhill, 12 Brady, 23 Pieters, 25 Lennon, 28 Long

Cherry Chimes MoM: Aaron Ramsdale


Ref Watch: Mike Dean 5/10 A hard game to referee but the decisions were largely taken out of his hands. A few more yellow cards may perhaps escaped him though.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can Bournemouth get their first away win of 2020?

Congratulations Tyson Fury - WBC, Ring and Lineal Heavy Weight Champion of the World!

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AFC Wimbledon are trying to get back to Plough Lane. They have launched the PloughLaneBond scheme to try and raise funds.

Can Bournemouth get their first away win of 2020?

Burnley are sitting proudly in 11th place in the Premier League on 34 points and just a couple of wins away from gaining safety. Their fans will expect three of those points to come this Saturday against Bournemouth. But is there a case for the Cherries getting a win against the form book?
Have AFCB got the game to upset the Clarets?Burnley have won three more matches than Bournemouth and have scored four more goals and have let in just one less goal. Several of those extra wins have come in recent weeks and Burnley have started 2020 like a train picking up three points against Leicester City, Man Utd and Southampton. It is easy to see why they will be big favourites to add to their wins at home, but they have slipped up at home against Aston Villa in January and against Norwich in the FA Cup. It leaves the door slightly ajar in that they can be out played at home, and Eddie Howe needs to find out why Burnley didn't do so well in the games against lower league opposition.
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Burnley are averaging 1.15 goals a game and are averaging 324 passes per match. Bournemouth are averaging 1.00 goal per game and are averaging 406 passes per game. It doesn't indicate that there will be much between these two sides. But Bournemouth have been coming under more pressure n games to protect their goal with 81 shots blocked compared to 56 blocks for Burnley this season. Burnley have also had nine clean sheets compared to Bournemouth's four.

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What gives Bournemouth a chance is the number of interceptions they make. It's as high as 353 compared to Burnley's 269, but it matters what Bournemouth do when they do win possession and how high possession is won, up the field. Importantly, Bournemouth's shooting accuracy is marginally inferior at 31 per cent compared to Burnley's 33 per cent.


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The game at Dean Court was close with Burnley winning with an 89th minute goal. Bournemouth could count themselves unlucky that day, but they can't afford too many more unlucky days and they need their first away win of 2020.

Possible AFCB line up AFCB Subs: Boruc, Stacey, S Cook, L Cook, Stanislas, King, SolankeBurnley Home Form
WLLWD

AFCB Away Form
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AFCB TV Preview
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Rival Lines: 'It's our home form that usually keeps us up," says No Nay Never.

Rival Lines: 'It's our home form that usually keeps us up," says No Nay Never

Rival Lines
Match preview: Burnley v AFCB
Podcast Interview: No Nay Never
Twitter: @nonaynever

I caught up with Burnley podcast site No Nay Never this week. Matt gave me some views about whether Burnley are a long-ball team and if they are does it matter? While Bournemouth languish near the foot of the table, Burnley are in 11th and looking at a top 10 finish, and possible European football next season. So what exactly has Sean Dyche got so right?

CC: With Burnley riding high in the top half of the table and European football becoming a possibility - would the club be better equipped at a European campaign next season and what would you need in the summer to cope better?

NNN: The squad is certainly stronger than it was 18 months ago, however this summer is looking like it is going to be an important one in terms of incomings and outgoings. Starting a European qualifying campaign in late July coupled with some players featuring in Euro 2020, it wouldn’t leave a club that does it's business as ‘cautiously’ as Burnley with much time to strengthen further. Last time, Dyche played almost two different 11s for Europa and PL games and our lack of depth of quality was exposed.


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CC: Burnley still have to play many of the lower half clubs, so do you think the club could achieve its record points total in the Premier League this season?

NNN: It’s certainly possible. We are currently 20 points behind 2018’s final total, however the points seem to be being shared a lot more this year with the middle of the table getting quite congested and lots of teams still in the running for those European places.

CC: Sean Dyche's team gets accused of long-ball football, but do you see more adaptability in the current squad?

NNN: There have been moments this season when we have found different ways of a getting a result, which is something we haven’t necessarily done consistently before, with Dyche being criticised for having no plan B. The team does sometimes adapt it’s approach to suit the opponent, being guilty at times of showing too much respect to the likes of City [Ed - we'd suggest that is Man City, calm down you Norwich and Leicester fans!] and Liverpool, but at the same time will come out strongly at home against teams around them in the table and look to get ahead in a game and then see it out.

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CC: Does Nick Pope get the credit he deserves in goal, considering he has had nine clean sheets?

NNN: Not entirely. He’s probably guaranteed to be part of the England squad this summer, but if you look at his stats, he should also be the number 1 keeper. The issue is whether Southgate is brave enough to drop Pickford. I think the test will be the games in March, if Pope features in them then he could have a good chance of being England’s no. 1 this summer.

CC: Burnley have had some unexpected wins of late. Why are the main reasons for the upturn in form compared to the start of this season?

NNN: I’ve said for a while that this team is a team of runs. They are almost always on a bad or good run. The question when they are on a bad run, as happened over Christmas, is where the next win will come from and how they will snap out of it. By all accounts, the squad simply go back to doing the basics well and stay positive and supportive of each other and once 1 result comes, others follow.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!CC: How do you feel about the home form, having drawn with Arsenal but lost to Norwich in the cup at Turf Moor?

NNN: We’ve come to accept that Dyche clearly prioritises the league over any potential cup run as that’s what keeps us financially stable. He sees the ties as opportunities to give the rest of the squad playing time and as he rarely changes his starting 11 in the league it means that the cup teams haven’t had much game time together to gel and it quite often shows. Our home form is usually what keeps us up, as we generally don’t do as well on our travels, but this is improving, with 4 away wins this season already.

CC: Has there been a particular VAR decision for your team that you were pleased with or really annoyed about?

NNN: The most annoying one that sticks in my mind is the one away at Leicester where Johnny Evans was chasing lost cause, a shot from Chris Wood that Schmeichel hadn’t managed to stop, into his own net and felt the slightest of touches on his heel and went down like he’d been shot. Naturally VAR had a look and because there had been the tiniest accidental contact, ruled it out. Madness.

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CC: What's the best thing about being a Burnley fan?

NNN: Firstly, the history. Founder member of the football league that has sunk right to the point of almost falling out of the league and then risen back to the top flight and is surviving in the toughest league in the world.

Secondly, the community. Burnley is a town team. Regular attendances of 20,000 from a town with a population of a little over 80,000 shows how much the club means to the people. Walk down the street and you’ll see more Claret replica shirts than any other. The club is the town.

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CC: Burnley have got the better of Bournemouth once already this season. Do you think Burnley are better suited to playing Bournemouth than a lot of other clubs in the Premier League?

NNN: As I mentioned earlier, we adjust our approach according to our opponents and I guess we see ourselves very much as an equal of Bournemouth, small clubs, punching well above their weights, so the matches are always going to be close.


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CC: Who has been Burnley's most improved player of the season so far?

NNN: That’s a tough one. There’s a number of players who have maybe stepped up a level from last season, but to single one out, it may have to be Chris Wood, for his consistency of finishing chances that are created for him, or Nick Pope, for returning to the number 1 slot and generally dominating that area.

CC: How do you expect to line up against Bournemouth?

NNN: Dyche doesn’t change a winning team if he doesn’t have to, so assuming Chris Wood isn’t fit enough to start it will be: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Rodriguez, Vydra.


Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!CC: What is your score prediction?

NNN:  I think the momentum is with us and we have the ‘finish line’ of 40 points in sight so I’m going for a 2-0 to Burnley.

CC: I can't argue with the confidence that Matt speaks about his beloved Burnley. They have certainly raced up the league in recent weeks and are now only looking upwards. It is going to need something special to slow their progress and it could be considered an upset of Bournemouth did get a win at Turf Moor. But Burnley don't always beat Bournemouth twice in a season and we'll just hope that Burnley have a few problems at home in this game so we can claw a few points back on them and some other teams.

Make sure you check out the No Nay Never site for all things Burnley FC.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Turf Moor is always a ground where Howe has to prove himself

Turf Moor is always a ground where Howe has to prove himself

It might not have been the best of times when Eddie Howe lead Burnley in 2010-12. He would have wanted a better run of results than those he achieved, and yet many of the Burnley faithful have given him a generous welcome every time he returns, perhaps because the man who followed him has done so well for the Lancashire club. Eddie needs a win.Sean Dyche has done amazingly well at Burnley and is clearly a great fit for the club. We can argue why it didn't quite work for Eddie and Jason at Turf Moor, but I reckon its the ground where he most feels under pressure to prove himself even today. That could be a good omen for Bournemouth because they need the points more than ever now. While Burnley push for a European place, Bournemouth are battling to stay in the league and if Burnley is the start of the recovery for the Cherries, Howe will have perhaps the biggest smile of anyone on Saturday.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!I imagine it is a strange feeling when Howe and Jason revisit Burnley. They have been back a few times now and while some things change the noise of the crowd and most of the surroundings will remain the same. It is hard to imagine that Eddie Howe doesn't give himself a few minutes of reflection of what might have been, whenever he revisits the club and rubs shoulders with those who knows so well.

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That time has of course gone and Eddie Howe knows he has to do a job on Burnley. It is a challenge that he didn't succeed in during December, when Dyche's men came out on top, but Bournemouth have won at Burnley in recent seasons and Howe has to believe his men can find a way to do it again. While Burnley have been on a good run, they do only have two less defeats than the Cherries, and even though catching Burnley may be beyond the Cherries this season, taking three points off them would be one of the best results of the season for the Cherries.

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Chimes to Camera: Sheffield Utd 2 v 1 AFCB

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Stanislas is a top option for Turf Moor

Stanislas is a top option for Turf Moor mission

It has been a difficult road for Junior Stanislas to get back to playing football. He has missed half of the season, but is now back and refreshed and made a cameo appearance at Sheffield United. Now he could find himself a little more in the picture for selection and visiting one of his old grounds may be the inspiration he needs to hit top form.
Junior could be hyped up more than most for a visit to Turf Moor.Junior spent a couple of seasons at Burnley and it was Eddie Howe who took him there, before resigning him for AFC Bournemouth. The winger is perhaps one of the least seen players on pitch these days, but on his day he can win games and Eddie Howe needs match winners more than ever now.
AdvertisementThe battle Stanislas has will be with Harry Wilson, who hasn't done much wrong in his short time at the Cherries. Against Sheffield United, Harry was one of the quieter players so it wasn't a big surprise when he was subbed first. Stanislas had to wait for Ryan Fraser to come off, but at least he got a few minutes in an away game. It may be that Eddie wants to give him a few more minutes next time.

Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!Stanislas is quick and crosses well. He could be a good supply route for Callum Wilson and he is another free kick specialist like Harry Wilson. So it wont be such and easy decision for Howe as to who to start with and the fact that Junior is so well acquainted with Turf Moor could mean that he is a surprise starter for the next game.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - How do Bournemouth get back to clean sheets 

How do Bournemouth get back to clean sheets?

Bournemouth haven't had a clean sheet since their 0-1 away win against Chelsea back in December. Only in the FA Cup have they seen a clean sheet in 2020 and it has to be one of the main reason why the club has not been winning enough games.
AFCB haven't had a clean sheet since their 0-1 away win at Chelsea on 14 December.Eddie Howe has to look at why teams are getting the opportunities they are to score against the Cherries. Defending from corners is one of the areas where the team can improve. The first goal that Sheffield United scored was a goalmouth scramble, but it all came from a corner and a missed punch from the keeper and a failure to clear the box.

AdvertisementThe goal that Aston Villa scored through Samatta might also point towards a failure for Aaron Ramsdale to get their first, but the ball could have been better blocked first of all when it came up off of Francis. More worrying was the way Watford carved Bournemouth open at home and score three without reply. Ramsdale was injured for that game and it didn't help the team do any better with Mark Travers in goal. So it is a problem that the back four and keeper are all accountable and at times I feel Bournemouth simply defend too deep as a group and just heap pressure on themselves.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!I still feel the best way for Bournemouth to defend is to attack. They need to find players quicker in their own half when they win the ball back and play the ball out wider quicker to get attacks going. Even if it is Ramsdale looking up quickly and banging a ball upfield quickly, I don't think the die-hard Bournemouth fan is going to grumble at this stage of the season if the team tries to get on the attack quicker.

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Keeping the ball away form our own goal is now more important than ever and there has to be a better concerted effort to stop opposition in their own half when possible. Whether Steve Cook returns to the starting 11 or not, the 11 players on the pitch have to make it more of a priority to get a clean sheet. Even 12 draws would give Bournemouth a more than average chance of beating the drop. It is not that the players should look for a point from the start of games, but they have to look to take something from games, if they get to that stage being level, with 10 minutes to go.
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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Could earlier second half subs help AFCB's game

Could earlier second half subs help AFCB's game?

Bournemouth's second half performances have been a bit flat of late and it's something that could be linked to how Eddie Howe is using his substitutes. The goals in the second half of games just haven't been coming, and it's hard to know exactly why, when Bournemouth have started to get the first goal in games.
AFCB have the subs but are they sing them at the best times?We have to go back two games to the match against Brighton to see a second half goal for the Cherries at home, not counting FA Cup games and yet Bournemouth haven't scored two goals at home in the second half since the 3-1 win against Everton in September 2019. For away games, you have to go back to December to the Chelsea game for a second half Bournemouth goal and November for the Spurs match to find two Bournemouth away second half goals. In the whole season the Cherries have scored just 10 second half goals in the Premier League from 26 games.

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Bournemouth are becoming a bit of a first half team and if they don't get a good lead they struggle. So is Eddie using his subs effectively enough? This calendar year I'd say the subs are being delayed too long and Eddie is reacting rather than being proactive. Against Sheffield United we had to wait for the 72nd minute for the first of three subs, there were no subs used against Villa despite going down to 10-men and Brighton was the 85th minute before two subs. The Norwich game saw an early technical sub, as Steve Cook was sent off but in the second half it was 78 minutes before the first of two subs. It was better against Watford with three subs and two on 59 minutes and Eddie can argue it didn't work from then when the team were 0-1 down at the time of the subs and went on to lose 0-3. Similarly Bournemouth were losing 3-0 to West Ham United when Eddie made a double substitution on 45 minutes and another on 68 minutes, and the team still went on to lose 4-0.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!To be more proactive in the second half Bournemouth need to be in games in the second half and I felt they were against Sheffield United at 1-1, despite being overrun at times but Eddie didn't make the change on the hour and we'll never know if that could have changed the game although King couldn't make the difference when he did come on 18 minutes later. Howe probably thought the chances that fell to Fraser and Aké in the second half meant that he didn't need to chase a second goal, but by sitting back and hoping for a good counter-attack, it just gave Sheffield United more impetus to go and get their winner. Ironically, they scored the moment just after Bournemouth made a substitution with Junior Stanislas came on after 84 minutes.

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What we can see is that even when Howe makes late subs in the last 20 minutes, Bournemouth are still often conceding in that last part of the game. It's happened against Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Brighton and Watford since 1 January 2020. The Cherries are certainly at their weakest in the last 20 minutes of games.

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