AFCB get mentally attuned as the goals go in

It is a good job that Brett Pitman, Tommy Elphick and Ryan Fraser bagged some goals last night. Not just to win the match against Burton, but because the goals had started to dry up again just a bit. While Lewis Grabban only had a few moments on the pitch against Burton it was good to see that Rantie had his opportunity along with Pitman, and the two worked well especially in the first half to carve open the Burton defence on numerous occasions. Yet, Tommy Elphick will also be pleased to have got off the mark this season and playing with Steve Cook is something that AFCB fans will always like, as it reminds them of the promotion winning season last year.

Pitman gets a brace against Burton Albion.

Ryan Fraser also claimed another goal as he shows more signs of maturing. I believe he is a little diamond that Eddie Howe has done so well to unearth up in Scotland and his potential is only just beginning to be seen. If he can improve as much in the next half of the season, as he has in the first half, he will not be far away from being player of the season.

The pleasing thing for Eddie should be that the goals are being well spread around the team and Ritchie, Pugh and Grabban did not get on the score sheet last night. So a few others stepped up to the mark and they did not slip up, which was pretty admirable considering the appalling weather conditions at Dean Court.

Eddie Howe could not hide his pleasure at the performance, "I really enjoyed the first half. I really did. I thought we were electric at times and played some really good football in what was a difficult night condition wise," he said..."Full credit to Burton you can see why they have done so well this year and why they have gone so many games unbeaten."

"The second half was really scrappy, but I think conditions played that. They did deteriorate and the wind was swirling," he added.

"We are pleased with the mentality of the players and it is another game ticked off and obviously opens up another really big game for the fans and everyone at the club."