Time for a clean sheet

The Cherries have been looking to topple some teams that are ahead of them in the table but the clear problem that is getting in the way is the amount of goals they have been letting in. A clean sheet is a bit like the Holy Grail for AFCB at the moment, despite the improvement in defensive performances. The last home shut out was back in September against Barnsley and it's something that must be seriously looked at now. AFCB have to be less defensively frail if they are to get the three points on offer more often.

The constant change in keepers have not made it easy for the Cherries. Charlie Daniels has also been out of the team for some games and even the centre backs have seen a change when Elliott Ward had to miss the Bolton match through suspension. Is it only because of the changes that Bournemouth have been conceding regularly? I don't think so. At home in particular the boys have not been getting their noses in front and have gone behind fairly early in some games which is giving them a mountain to climb. Still, perhaps things might start to change now.

Charlie Daniels featured in the clean sheet against Barnsley, while Ian Harte played
in the 1:0 home win against Wigan Athletic.

Ian Harte lines up a shot.

The fans must play their part in getting behind the team right from the start. It is the first half when AFCB have been struggling at home and we can give them the best atmosphere to go and play their football with confidence. There have been mistakes at the back and in midfield with passes going astray, but there's also been a lot of attacking flare on display. While that is the way Bournemouth play, they have to try and find a way to be a little less wasteful when they have possession. Eddie Howe won't be critical in public, but I am certain he will be working on such weaknesses to try and make the team stronger. They may be small things but we know that is all the difference is in many games. 

There are already some good signs in that AFCB have stopped conceding from free kicks and throws, and often the goals they do let in are against the run of play. While we want to win our home games the first thing I hope we see at AFCB on Saturday is no goals against. That would be a good way for Lee Camp to sign off his loan period and the back four should be settled enough now, so hopefully they can go and record their third home clean sheet of the season. UTCIAD!