Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 49

A fourth round home draw against 13 times FA Cup winners for the Cherries

It's Bournemouth v ArsenalThe live Draw on BBC One saw AFCB get drawn at home against Arsenal or Leeds United - the live match last evening. Either team would have been a great occasion, but it's Arsenal and Mikel Arteta that will be revisiting Dean Court between 24-27 January 2020.
It is hard to see Bournemouth naming a complete first team for the game with the match coming at an important time, when Bournemouth will still be looking to get away from the foot of the Premier League, or making sure they are putting distance between themselves and the bottom positions. Arsenal drew at Dean Court in December 1-1 but were behind for much of the match, so Bournemouth will at least be confident that they can hurt the Gunners, even if there will be many more Arsenal supporters at the game than when the two teams last met.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!The importance of the FA Cup has always been stressed by Eddie Howe, but the onus may not be on progression this season. The team selection is going to be revealing and while Bournemouth needed a boost in the third round, it is hoped that AFCB will have had a good January and may well be seeking to replace a few players at the end of the month.


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To beat Arsenal though in the FA Cup would be one of the biggest results for the Cherries in their FA Cup history, and if they did get through the tie they would be looking favourably on another home draw to have the best opportunity to get from the last 16 into the last eight.

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How seriously Arsenal take the game also has to be considered. They will know that European football is something that is not going to be easy from their league position and a cup win could be their best chance. Arsenal are the record holders for the most FA Cup wins at 13 and it is a competition they tend to take seriously.

In other news
Cherry Chimes spoke to The Score for an article about Eddie Howe last week.

Half-term Guardian/Observer Report on AFC Bournemouth

Will Brad Smith get a second crack at AFCB?

Last week we heard that Brad Smith was back training at AFCB having been on loan at Seattle Sounders for the past couple of seasons. The left back never made the grade first time around, but has been quite a success over the other side of the Atlantic. With Eddie Howe's injury problems, the addition of Brad Smith to the squad is certainly good timing if he stays after January.
Can Brad Smith be a useful addition to AFCB's squad for the run-in.While Eddie Howe says, he needs to work out what is best for AFCB and for Brad to see if Brad Smith goes out on loan again or not, the left back position has been a problem all season. Diego Rico has done excellently well filling in, but he is going to be playing a lot of games and when he was suspended it was difficult to replace him.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!Brad Smith would be a natural replacement whenever Howe might like to give Rico some rest bite. The bench has looked short of left back defenders with Lloyd Kelly and Charlie Daniels being absent, and Brad would surely be serving AFCB much better if he could be part of the squad for the rest of the season. He has lots of experience and knows the Premier League. It would just be a case of assessing whether Smith is up to speed or if the game for a return.
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I'd like to see Rico given some competition for a starting place. Eddie usually likes every position to be competed for, and while Rico has played well he hasn't had someone really rival him of late. Everyone is going to have to be on their toes to play in the team with so many crucial games coming up. Bournemouth don't look like they are going to be lavish in their cash sending in January, and Brad Smith is ready-made to fit straight back in - it would be like a new signing.

AFCB fans back Eddie

Eddie Howe can finally be pleased with a week's work.The end scenes after the FA Cup win over Luton Town meant an awful lot for the fans and for Eddie Howe. The connection was reaffirmed that the fans want Eddie and want him to do well and leave the club to safety in the league. It was a big moment in AFCB's season and a bit of forgiveness on both sides in those moments, so that the team can now finally kick on again.

Nobody likes criticism and Eddie Howe and the players have taken a lot of it in the days following the defeats at Brighton and West Ham. The Luton game provided an opportunity for everyone to put the league problems behind them for a moment and just concentrate on playing well. The game was by no means perfect. Luton should have got on the score sheet a couple of times, but the passion and the effort as well as some quality started to flow back through the football veins of the Cherries. Now the players need to remember that feeling to exact further punishment on the teams they have to play next.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!While the thought of the management not doing well enough in games had hit fans hard, there is a deeper feeling that the fans don't want this relationship to end. We would find it hard to see anyone else leading AFCB, and there is so much more for Eddie and Jason to achieve with the fans at AFCB. If the club can get over this torrid season and retain their Premier League status, it could be the springboard to a special period when the club does go up another level and tries to enjoy its Premier League status even more.

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We have to support the team to do well now and remind them constantly how much we want them to do well and climb the league. If that filters through to the players then AFCB have a good chance of beating the drop, but we must be united and push on from here. Bournemouth can't afford not to pick up the form now after this win.



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Meanwhile, the Bournemouth Echo has reported that AFCB have been linked with Tino Kadewere of Le Harve.

Top Billing for Cherries in FA Cup win

Match ReportAFCB 4 v 0 Luton TownFA Cup Third Round4 January 2020Attendance: 10,064 Bournemouth regain some pride with a strong FA Cup win.This was a match that many fans thought Bournemouth didn't need, but it ended up being very good medicine. The Cherries finally found some form and with Philip Billing getting his first two goals for the club and Dominic Solanke getting his first competitive goal for the club. It was also a return to goal scoring form for Callum Wilson who netted for the first time since September. Luton Town did miss a penalty, but were never really able to repel Bournemouth's possession and dominance. Bournemouth will be ball number 14 in the next round.
The teams come onto the pitch.Eddie Howe named a stronger side than expected with Billing, Solanke Harry Wilson and Ryan Fraser all getting starts. Callum Wilson and Sam Surridge were on the bench along with a well strapped up Jefferson Lerma.
Both sets of players stand with mental health awareness campaign.Match Description
Francis won a corner in the first minute. Diego Rico then put Dominic Solanke in but his shot was turned round the post by the for a second corner. Solanke had looked on to score. 

Mepham tried to pick Fraser out but just over hit his pass. Rico then got down the outside and Harry Wilson shot over. Fraser added a third Bournemouth corner in an impressive opening few minutes for the home team.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!Fraser crossed for Solanke but the header was not strong enough and was misdirected. Diego Rico goes down the left again, picks out Billing and he volleys it down and into the back of the net 1-0 on eight minutes. A great star for Bournemouth.

Sheehan takes the first shot for Luton but hits it well over.

Surman is getting time on the ball and is picking out some good passes. Francis wins a corner on 15 minutes. Solanke heads it in 2-0. There is a VAR check no goal. It looked like Harry Wilson was standing on an offside position near the keeper. It has been disallowed, which is a pity for Dominic Solanke who still awaits a first goal for Bournemouth.

AdvertisementRico works another corner which the keeper collects. Billing has misplaced a pass and Cornick is through against Mark Travers, but the keeper saves and Mepham clears. Mepham is injured but after treatment is okay to continue.

Solanke gets up the left but Billing has his shot blocked.

Sheehan was fouled but the free kick is right down Travers' throat. Simpson gets hold of Cornick. before Harry Wilson tackles Sheehan. Butterfield then has a shot over from outside the box.

Harry Wilson wins a free kick. Fraser whips it on but its well defended. A cross from the right is brought down by Lee, but his shot rises over the goal.

Fraser wins a corner. Cornick runs at the Bournemouth defenders, but is stopped on half way.

Fraser chips in a good ball. Luton may have a hand ball against them from a pass from Billing but it's just a corner.
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Rico's cross is saved. There is a coming together - Billing is involved and is booked as is Jones. Fraser is fouled on the corner, and it's punched out by the keeper to Stanislas and deflects for a corner.

Four added minutes are held up. Billing and Fraser don't find enough space to get a shot away.

Harry Wilson gets in but the keeper blocks for a corner. Harry Cornick then wins a corner for Luton. Pearson goes down in the box with his foot getting trodden on by Billing - penalty! VAR check.

Penalty. Sheehan hits the bar from the spot. Harry Wilson goes down in the follow up.


Bournemouth survive a late scare at the end of the first half to go in 1-0 up.Second half
Fraser puts in a cross that Billing hits but is blocked. Fraser to Rico and the cross is out for a corner.
The corner goes over Solanke and Harry Wilson fires it just wide of the right post.

Luton have a fee kick. Fraser kicks it and Lee fires over.

Solanke passes through to Stanislas but he's lifted it over. Lee goes for goal from a long way out but the curling shot is over hit by a whisker.

Harry Wilson goes for goal after a Luton throw but by the keeper saves to his left. Bournemouth have a corner but lose it by taking it short. Billing shoots wide after a long build up. Fraser shoots, but hits one of his own players.

AdvertisementFraser is caught offside. Stanislas is subbed for Callum Wilson on 66 minutes.

Pearson makes a mistake and Harry Wilson is on it and the pass to Callum and its 2-0 on 68 minutes. Luton sub Butterfield for Berry and Moncur for Bolton.

Fraser almost gets in but the keeper comes out. Billing has a shot blocked by Pearson. Sheehan is subbed for Bree and Rico is replaced by Steve Cook on 78 minutes.

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Harry Wilson crosses to Philip Billing and his shot deflects in off Daniels for 3-0 on 79 minutes. Francis is subbed for Dobre.

Callum Wilson crosses from the left and its broken for Solanke who has scored! It dribbled over the line but its in 4-0 on the 80th minute.

Simpson almost gets on the end of a Francis cross. Dobre wins a corner. Billing doesn't shoot, much to the home fans' disappointment. One minute of added time.
A big scoreline and some confidence restored.Summary
A very welcome win for Bournemouth. Eddie Howe can be very pleased to finally get a result, even if it is in the cup rather than the league. The pleasing thing is players that needed to score did and the team kept a clean sheet. Luton might not have been stiff competition, but Bournemouth found their rhythm to some extent which has been absent for a while. Billing was the central figure in the game, sometimes making mistakes but ultimately coming up with the goals to get Bournemouth through the tie. Dominic Solanke will also remember the game fondly having had a goal chalked off and then finally breaking his duck just before the end. We can only hope it is the start of many more goals for AFCB.


AFCB line up AFCB Subs: Ramsdale, S Cook, Lerma, Kilkenny, Dobre, C Wilson, SurridgeLuton Town
12 Simon Sluga, 6 Matthew Pearson, 28 Lloyd Jones, 44 Alan Sheehan (Bree 77), 11 Andrew Shinnie, 29 Jacob Butterfield (Berry 68), 33 D Daniels, 16 G Rea, 20 George Moncur (Bolton 68), 10 Elliot Lee, 14 Harry Cornick.
Luton Subs
4 Ryan Tuncliffe, 8 Luke Berry, 26 J Bree, 22 Luke Bolton, 19 James Collins,
25 Kazenga Lua Lua, 36 James Shea
Ref Watch: Darren England - 5/10 Not sure why there was not more time added at the end of the second half after several VAR delays and subs.

Cherry Chimes MoM: Philip Billing

AFCB Ratings: Travers 6, Francis 6, Mepham 6, Simpson 6, Rico 7, H Wilson 6, Surman 6, Billing 7, Fraser 6, Stanislas 5, Solanke 6.

What can we expect from AFCB in Luton cup game?

The AFCB team to play against Luton Town in the FA Cup could be a very experimental eleven. Eddie Howe has full license not to pick players who have been playing with knocks and who need the rest before the all important home game against Watford next weekend.
Bournemouth will have a keeper change today.I am not sure if I want Bournemouth to do that well in the FA Cup which seems criminal. But if the club's Premier League status is under threat, then it is important to protect the players that don't need to play in the Luton game. For once defeat would be accepted if it meant a win against Watford the week after.
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But Eddie Howe has to pick a team no matter what. In goal it could be Mark Travers or Artur Boruc, but it is probably wisest to give the younger keeper the game for the experience. I'd be inclined to leave Simon Francis at right back, but Jack Simpson could come in to partner Chris Mepham, and perhaps we will see an U21 player at left back. Andrew Surman is the only central midfielder that Howe has with experience who has not been getting games and I'd expect him to start, perhaps with Matt Butcher. Gavin Kilkenny is surely also a right wing starter for this match, and the left wing is another position where an U21 could come in. It looks like Sam Surridge will start up front along perhaps with Alex Dobre, as Dominic Solanke probably needs to be protected with Josh King out and Callum Wilson needing rest.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!I am not optimistic of a win for the Cherries, but we are certainly going to see some young players and perhaps the fans will enjoy that rather than seeing the regulars struggle again. Luton Town are bottom of the Championship and were beaten 3-1 by Millwall last time out and have not won an away game since 28 September, when they beat Blackburn Rovers 1-2. They have had just one win in December against Wigan, but it's one win in seven games.


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Form aside, Luton Town do have some senior professionals like Marek Stech in goal and Kazenega Lua Lua who is perhaps well-known from his Brighton years. Bournemouth may have to be more aware of James Collins who has eight goals this season and former Cherries Academy player Harry Cornick who has six goals. Callum McManaman is another winger who has scored three goals this season and has played for Wigan, WBA and Sunderland.


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A win would be a bit of a morale boost, but little more than that. If Luton had any form, this could be a great game for them but I imagine they are the best team Bournemouth could have drawn at this stage if they were going to get a Championship team. But lose to Luton Town and it is probably another invitation for the papers to tarnish Eddie Howe and the players for this season. 

Let's get behind the players today and try and start the recovery. We have had our moan and it's time to try and give the players something to work with. UTCIAD!

AFCB Home Form
WLLLD

Luton Away Form
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In other news Sam Surridge has signed a new four and a half year contract with AFCB - he is likely to be a massive player next season for the Cherries.

AFCB TV Preview

An extra story
I spoke with the Liverpool Echo about Dominic Solanke since his move to AFCB. I wish Dominic had't struggled at AFCB but he has.

Heavy defeats are taking their toll on AFCB

It's six goals conceded in the last two games now for Bournemouth. Losing to Brighton and West Ham were bad defeats because they are the teams around them, and Bournemouth have just given them both a boost to stay up while damaging their own chances.

Eddie Howe needs to change the mentality quickly to stop AFCB losing games.The defence has not been able to shut up shot and now I even wonder if the run of defeats could be damaging for Aaron Ramsdale. It may be time that Eddie has to take Aaron out of the firing line in Premier League games and put Artur Boruc in goal just to give Ramsdale a break. For the FA Cup match it is likely to be Mark Travers who gets the keeper's gloves.
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The back four are leaking goals. Nathan Aké is a huge miss, but he alone can't quickly recover and turn this around. While it would be great to get Aké back, he's not going to be available for a few weeks, and if clubs don't come in for him in January, we can be sure he will be taken in the summer if AFCB can't beat the drop.



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Even with three central midfield players trying to plug the gaps against West Ham, Bournemouth couldn't do the job as well as they did against Chelsea. There has to be some reason for that. West Ham's attack is not as good as Chelsea's and yet there was more fight and defiance against Chelsea. Bournemouth have run out of energy it seems. It's a bad problem to have and perhaps the FA Cup match will give AFCB a chance to recover some players who are playing when they really need a rest. Luton, I am sure, will fancy their chances against the defence AFCB put up at West Ham, but it's likely that the defenders will be much younger for the FA Cup match. AFCB fans should be pleased if Eddie makes 10 or more changes for the FA Cup match this season, as for once a run in that competition probably won't help matters.

Where is AFCB's goal threat?

Bournemouth are not only out of sorts, they don't have anyone who looks like they will score at the moment. Bournemouth toiled for 95 minutes against West Ham, but they only managed three shots and two of them on target. Callum Wilson wasn't even the player to have the shots and the best Dominic Solanke could do was hit the post from three yards.
Who will step up and get the goals to keep AFCB up?Eddie Howe needs solutions, but if his best option is just to recall Sam Surridge from his loan at Swansea City for the FA Cup game, AFCB look short of goal power. The prospect of bringing a forward in on loan seem remote with Eddie suggesting it is hard in the January window. The message may well be that AFCB can't afford to spend further and if that mean they have to go down to the Championship, perhaps it was a mistake to let Lys Mousset go. Other Premier League teams might be able to deal with such a big injury list as Bournemouth have as they are bigger clubs with more payers of a high standard. If Bournemouth can't compete with those teams then perhaps they are fighting above their true position and Howe was bound to be caught out at some point with a smaller squad.
Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!The lack of goals is the factor that has been most alarming this season. From a team that was scoring freely in previous seasons, we now have just three main strikers that have managed nine goals in 21 games. The team as a whole has managed 20 goals in this time only Watford and Crystal Palace have scored fewer goals with Newcastle also on 20 goals.

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In previous seasons, AFCB have had four strikers to pick from most of the time and the cover just hasn't been there this time. Even with King coming back, have Bournemouth got enough striker power to get themselves out of trouble?

AFCB out of energy, out of players and out of luck

It was another hard watch to see Bournemouth flounder against West Ham. The game was over in the first 35 minutes when West Ham raced into a 3-0 win. Bournemouth's players looked like lost lambs and they had no way of getting back into the game. We can look at bad luck in the first goal, but from there on in, there was nothing to suggest there was anything but another defeat on its way.
Another bad day for EddieTo lose 4-0 away from home is bad at any time. To lose to the team below you in the table and to fall into the bottom three might be seen by some fans as a capitulation. While Eddie Howe keeps referring to the injuries and we know any team with eight or nine regulars out will suffer, Bournemouth have not been able to recover and the players on the outside of the usual starting eleven are not capable of upping their game enough at this level. Eddie also says players have injuries but are playing on.
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From the outside looking in, there is little optimism for a quick turnaround in results. Lose to the teams in January that AFCB have in the league and they could be cut adrift by February. Bournemouth have been lulled into the relegation battle and it's hard to see what capacity they have to get out of it. There are plenty of games to go, but if Bournemouth are relying on players coming back and being excellent when they do return, it may be clutching at straws.


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Perhaps five years is a good run for a small team in the Premier League. If so, then we have had a good time, but it's hard to believe the club has gone through what it has to get to this position now. It is almost as if things are conspiring against AFCB and Eddie Howe with other teams winning when they had looked in real danger. Bournemouth now have to make sure they do keep in touch with the clubs above them and that work has to start immediately. We have four immediate cup finals against the teams around us after next weekend and then we have a dog fight to try and say up in March and April. If  are not safe by May, it's likely to be bad news. Finding winnable games has never looked so hard as this.

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AFCB reach the bottom three with 4-0 defeat at West Ham

Match ReportWest Ham United 4 v 0 AFCB1 January 2020Attendance: 59,917 The London StadiumThe trap door is open large and wide for AFC Bournemouth now. They fall into the bottom three and find their way there on the back of a pitiful performance at West Ham. On 17 minutes Mark Noble fired West Ham ahead seeing his shot deflect off Lewis Cook. It was 2-0 when Haller smashed a volley into the net from Frederick's cross, and a clumsy challenge by Harry Wilson on Snodgrass gave the Hammers a penalty for 3-0 before half-time. Things didn't get better when Anderson beat Francis in a foot race to make it 4-0. Creswell was the recipient of the red card that never was, as his foul on Ryan Fraser was reduced by VAR to a yellow card. Bournemouth are in big trouble.
This was a relegation all right and Bournemouth named as strong a side as they could with Simon Francis coming into the right back position. Lerma and Lewis Cook came into the starting eleven along with Callum Wilson. Injured was Jack Stacey and Josh King, while Fraser, Billing and Stanislas were dropped to the bench. It was a game neither side dared lose as it would mean a place in the bottom three.

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Match Description
It was a patient start by both teams with AFCB just happy to keep possession. Rico put a good cross in but no Bournemouth player gets close to it. Mepham did well to cut a ball out.

Solanke wins a corner on three minutes. Bournemouth's first chance to get something on target. Lerma has made a mess of his pass.

Mepham and Haller in a race and Mepham may have hand balled it. Corner to West Ham but Ramsdale takes it. Lewis Cook loses control in the middle.

Still, Bournemouth are pushing on. Anderson comes forward looking for support but the Cherries get back in numbers. West Ham have a corner on eight minutes. West Ham are enjoying some possession, but have no end product.

Noble into the box and Fornals shoots over. Bournemouth are dropping back. Harry Wilson has taken a knock. Free kick to West Ham as Harry used his arm to block a cross. Gosling clears.

Creswell has an injury. on 15 minutes. Some poor passing from Bournemouth. Sondgrass gets in behind and there's a goal from Noble it's deflected in, 1-0 to West Ham. Lewis Cook clipped the ball and Bournemouth are a goal down on 17 minutes.

A push on Harry Wilson in the box and no penalty. VAR is checking. Nothing doing. Lerma has lost the ball in the middle. West Ham have a corner. The header goes wide by Ogbonna.

Steve Cook gifts the ball to the opposition. Gosling has lost it now. Snodgrass is fouled by Rico who is carded. Rico kicked out his legs. Just too many mistakes by Bournemouth at the moment. Snodgrass' free kick is out for a corner.

 Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!A cross from Fredericks on the right and Haller has buried it in the bottom left corner 2-0 on 26 minutes. Great Volley for West Ham.

Lewis Cook drives through to Callum Wilson and his shot is saved, but the flag is up for offside. Francis on the overlap can't get his cross in.

Francis, he only hits Creswell with a cross. Harry Wilson can't get his cross in deep enough. Bournemouth can't clear from their own box. A corner to West Ham.

Noble is in behind and Harry Wilson has clipped his heels in the box - penalty! 34 minutes gone. This is game over if this goes in. Noble sends Ramsdale the wrong way 3-0.

Bournemouth are all over the place. It's getting embarrassing. Haller versus Mepham. Mepham gets back but Haller had a yard on him from a long ball - same old weakness for AFCB. No shots for Bournemouth yet and we have had 38 minutes.

Steve Cook has overrun it. Mepham covers. The confidence is shot for Bournemouth players.

Rico has a shot which is parried away. At least AFCB have had a shot. Just a minute to half-time. Corner to Bournemouth. Three added minutes.

3-0 down at half-time.Second half
Fraser and Stanislas are coming on for Harry Wilson and Diego Rico. Ryan Fraser was ill overnight but is okay to come on as a sub. Stanislas is on the right.

Francis gets an early cross in. West Ham win a corner and Fraser comes away with it. The ball is coming back at Bournemouth just as soon as they try and play it up field. Gosling is the latest player to lose it.

Solanke comes forward. Fraser and Gosling join in. Steve Cook is beaten by Haller in the left back spot and Bournemouth are lucky to get away with a corner. Lewis Cook made a saving intervention. Ramsdale catches the corner.

Anderson tries to trick his way though the box but is just stopped in time. Solanke beats Noble but can't keep hold of it. Francis and Lerma loses it.

Haller beats Mepham, Snodgrass is held up. Anderson's cross is cleared. Lewis Cook fouls Snodgrass. Creswell hits the free kick miles over. The whole game has become very slack. The passing is pretty appalling as neither team are capable of keeping the ball for long.

Bournemouth manage to get the ball up to Solanke but he's faced with two West Ham players. Bournemouth have to defend another corner.

Anderson is in the clear but hits his shot against a Bournemouth player. A good chance for 4-0. Rice with a long ball out to the wing, Anderson is in this time against Francis and it's 4-0 on 67 minutes. VAR is checking for offside.




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The goal is given and Anderson is subbed for Lanzini. Gosling is subbed for Jack Simpson on 68 minutes. West Ham have a free kick. Mepham pulled a shirt.

Stanislas gives a free kick away. Callum Wilson on the right is stooped by Ogbonna. 17 minutes to go. A red card for Creswell, Fraser is down injured. Creswell went right through Fraser on 75 minutes. The decision has been overturned by VAR to a yellow. How has Creswell got away with that?

Great ball in the box by Bournemouth but West Ham defend well. Solanke is down in the box after bumping into Creswell. Stanislas to Fraser and the header from Solanke comes off the post and straight into Fabianski's hands! Ridculous, that should have gone in.

Stanislas is taken off the ball by Rice. West Ham break. Snodgrass is stopped. West Ham come again a cross from the Hammers and Lanzini saves it on the line as Steve Cook is out jumped.

Sondgrass is subbed on 83 minutes for Masuaku.  Creswell on the left pulls it back for Fornals but the shot is saved by Ramsdale. Lewis Cook is booked.

Bournemouth are losing the ball as soon as they get into the last third. Can't wait for the final whistle. Masuaku's shot is held by Ramsdale. Wilson to Fraser and it's a tame shot to the keeper.

Four minutes of added time and West ham waste a chance to make it five with Fornals shooting over. A ball over the top to Callum but he can't get it down.

Summary
Bournemouth look flatter than flat. They had nothing to offer in this game and their current form is deserved of the bottom three. Eddie Howe has an injury crisis and a relegation place. How Bournemouth are going to get out of this I don't know.  The team had literally nothing in the tank.


AFCB AFCB Subs: Boruc, Surman, Stanislas, Fraser, Simpson, Billing, DobreAFCB RatingsRamsdale 4, Francis 3, S Cook 3, Mepham 3, Rico 3, H Wilson 2, Lerma 3, Gosling 3,  L Cook 5, Solanke 3, C Wilson 3
Cherry Chimes MoM: Lewis Cook - he kept trying.

Ref Watch: Graham Scott 5/10 - Not totally convinced abut the penalty decision and I thought he was correct to send Creswell off for the manner of the challenge on Fraser. 
West Ham United: 1 Fabianski, 24 Fredericks, 21 Ogbonna, 4 Balbuena, 3 Cresswell, 41 Rice, 8 Anderson (Lanzini 68), 11 Snodgrass (Masuaku 83), 16 Noble, 18 Fornals,  22 Haller
West Ham Subs: 13 Jimenez, 5 Zabaleta, 10 Lanzini, 15 Sanchez, 23 Diop, 26 Masuaku, 27 Ajeti

Rival Lines: "Moyes has been there and done it before," says Hugh & Claret

Rival Lines
Match Preview: West Ham United v AFCB
Blogger interview: Claret and Hugh
Twitter: @ClaretandH


I spoke with Hugh at Claret & Hugh over the Christmas week about West Ham United's form. Most of these questions were asked before West Ham's defeat to Leicester City, but then Manuel Pellegrii was sacked shortly afetr and I thought I'd better get back to Hugh for one more question.

CC: Do you agree with Ian Abrahams (West Ham fan & TalkSport broadcaster - The Moose) who has been saying Manuel Pellegrini is a manger can't doesn't inspire his players - and if so who would be best to inspire the Hammers?

C&H: It's always difficult to tell from a distance, but one has to bear in mind the man's calm approach not only to football but life itself. There was no problem last year when we were safe from the usual relegation worries by Christmas playing a brand of football for which we had been crying out for years. He lost key players in Hammer of the Year Fabianski at your place and word is he'll be back for the Bournemouth game. Antonio, has been colossal since his return, and the Chelsea and Saints wins were really all about him.. Non-inspirational Pellegrini? Jury still out on that, but I don't believe it to be the case.

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CC: What was West Ham's biggest transfer mistake of last summer - either in or out?

C&H: Absolutely no question about that one. Goalkeeper Roberto was entirely inept and responsible for conceding 14 goals in six PL games and another four against Oxford in the Carabao Cup. At Burnley he came to punch clear and planted in the back of his net. He's been a disaster and probably responsible for the shortage of confidence right through the squad until being replaced.

CC: Where will Bournemouth and West Ham finish this season - are there three worse teams?

C&H: I don't see either team going down and reckon the Hammers have enough quality to be much closer to or within the top 10. The aim was always top seven for us but without some tweaking in January that's a tough call. The Cherries are a tightly knit unit and Eddie Howe will sort the form out. I'd see us alongside each other.

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CC: No wins in your last five home games - what's been the main problems in the way you have been conceding goals?

C&H: Well of course we had a comedy goalkeeper between the sticks with Fabianski injured and although he had been replaced by the time Arsenal arrived, we were hurt by a team that looked very poor but had players who could hurt you which they did with three goals in ten minutes. Beyond the Spanish stopper we have been very weak at set pieces.


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Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!
CC: If you could shoes a Bournemouth player to buy in January, who would it be and why?

C&H: A striker is a top priority in the summer and the club is apparently looking everywhere. Callum Wilson has been regularly linked but not sure he's a £70 million player. I've always liked Josh King - he'd do for me. Quick over the ground, eye for goal. I like the bloke.

CC: Score prediction for WestHam v AFC Bournemouth?

C&H: Hmm... we owe you cos you did the double over us last time so I'm gonna be loyal and go for a 2-0 on the basis that Fab is back along with Lanzini. But Antonio is the man to inspire a win.

AdvertisementThe extra question
CC: What are your first thoughts of Pellegrini's sacking and the re-appointment of David Moyes at West Ham United?

C&H: I was a huge Pellegrini fan like most others when the appointment was made but the change unquestionably had to be made. He completely lost his way and the club needed to appoint someone quickly. There was no time for negotiations with employed managers and Moyes has been there and done it before. He knows the club and has a better squad than last time and I believe the right decision has been made. I think the first thing he will do is go three at the back which is where he started last time. I feel more confident now than I did ahead of Leicester City.

CC: I also wrote some answers for Claret & Hugh so do have a look on that website to see my thoughts ahead of the game. They should be up on the site at some point today.

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