Away wins at the double for the Cherries

Well done AFCB on a great victory yesterday at Hillsborough. I don't know about most of you Cherry fans but for me I was heart in mouth for the last 10 minutes, thinking no, no, not again after Sheffield Wednesday had managed to get a goal. But the boys stuck to the task and brought back three magnificent points to the south coast.

It was very important that AFCB did not lose that game as it not only would have given three points to a team we hope to finish above, but it would have given them a base from which to be inspired over the next few games. Instead it is AFCB that have the momentum now and that table isn't looking so bad now is it?

Grabban is back on hot form.

The team certainly play well with midfielders making runs off Grabban and joining in the attacks when away from home. Eddie Howe has cracked it with two away wins. But before we get too carried away, AFCB need to work out how best to play at home. The away set up simply does not work at Dean Court as we saw against Birmingham. But that is something Eddie has to work out for Boxing Day when Yeovil come visiting.

Away from home Bournemouth look a different team. They pass the ball well on the break and they find the space that they can't at home. Unlocking doors is much easier with their pace on the break and shots are more often on target when they play in this manner, as Sheffield Wednesday found out and Reading before them. While Sheffield Wednesday may not have been the toughest of opposition and a bit lacklustre, having played an hour in midweek, and deprived of their lead goal scorer, Bournemouth still had to do a job on them and they did that well.

Ritchie's quality is lifting the Cherries up the table.
He hit another fabulous strike om Saturday.

I have to say that Grabban is simply boosting his reputation to yet higher levels. People will be taking note of him now and Matt Ritchie as well. Both show that they have a knack for scoring goals and both are essential to the way AFCB play. AFCB can't do anything but rebuff any bids that come in for either of them, but I feel it is paramount that the board do everything to keep them both at the club if they want to build on the Championship start that AFCB have made.

This results only showed what we all knew. AFCB can be a top half team in this league but they need to cut out the mistakes and play consistently to a high standard with accurate passing and shooting. Add another couple of quality players to that in January or over the summer and the Cherries will keep moving forward.