Cherries are ready to go again

It was great to see that the lads were back in training this week and a few faces I did not expect to see turned up on the photos on the AFCB official website. I expect the mood is pretty good with a whole new league campaign ahead of the players and a pre-season training camp to come. It can't be easy resting if you are a professional football player, especially when you can see a World Cup going on. A chance to stretch the legs and start kicking a ball a game will surely be welcomed by many of the players even if the exercise runs and repetitions might not be so popular.

AFCB players are ready to start running again.

It is an interesting time right now with no huge pressure or expectations but a time to illustrate your passion to be involved and general fitness. There are so many opportunities for those who might have felt they could have done better last season and within a few weeks we might hear of the squad numbers being announced which always gives an early indication of who the main contenders for the starting places could be.

While training is probably quite light in these first few weeks it is not long before the friendlies will be here and the pressure will soon ramp up as we near the start of the season. It is okay to aim high but it is another to prepare for being right for that first game and Eddie Howe will be well aware that he has to get minds focused on the hard work before the showpiece of the first Championship game. 

Seeing the players train and getting back into the swing of things and having a smile on their faces is a signal that all is well, but other teams are also coming back into training and whether Bournemouth do well or not next season will start to shape place in the next few weeks. There is no euphoria of having been promoted like the season before last, but the 10th place finish last season should act as motivation and a confidence boost. 

The players will know even the little things matter and that everything is being designed to help them to finish even higher come next May. How much that rests on new signings is hard to tell at the moment, but I can't see AFCB standing still because other teams won't. It's all about building for the start of the season now and we should start to see things taking shape fairly quickly.


World Cup Chimes previews the Italy v Uruguay decider in Group D against and Kyle has a player profile of Costa Rica's  Joel Campbell.

World Cup viewing
De Vere's Urban Village Hotel in Bournemouth are sponsors of Cherry Chimes and are getting ready for England's final game. 

Tuesday 24th June, England’s last match v Costa Rica
- Live DJ, Balloon Artist, children’s face painting & Balloon Artist.
- Entertainment commencing from 16.00, kick off at 17.00

Food service extension
- The Victory will be serving food until 22.00 for the entire duration of the World Cup.

Download the complete game planner for the Victory pub and kitchen.