Good signs for AFCB

It's well known that Bournemouth can win games with their pretty football. Now they are showing another side to their game in that they can roll their sleeves up and go to away grounds and boss games, even when they are not able to fully play their smooth passing game. Mixing it is not something that Eddie Howe probably set out to do, but you have to show a tougher side to your game when you visit grounds where teams are scrapping for every point at the bottom of the table.

The run of 14 league games unbeaten did not feel under threat at Millwall. AFCB created 19 shots during the match with five shots on target. It felt that the Cherries were even more dominant than that and that is probably because Millwall could only record three shots all game. Much of the possession was Bournemouth had was causing Millwall to foul frequently and 23 fouls against the Cherries shows what Bournemouth players, especially Adam Smith had to cope with.

Tommy Elphick helps AFCB keep another clean sheet - this time against Millwall.

I also thought that Tommy Elphick was busy in defence despite Bournemouth's control of the game. He did make one big slip up that could have led to a goal, when he lost the ball on half way, but he also made some great tackles and blocks that gave the team another clean sheet. Whether Tommy can keep his place when Elliott Ward comes back will be a big contest that I'm looking forward too. Steve Cook is still looking confident and calm at the back and is now probably the best central defender in the league, especially when bringing the ball out of defence.

Will Tommy lead the team out against Rotherham? Or is he due a rest?

With an FA Cup game up next, the league is looking very good for the Cherries. There are some pressures to come though, as the transfer window looks more of an annoyance than a blessing to teams already doing well, while I am still touching wood that the Cherries can get through this winter without any injuries to key players.

Tomorrow I will release the Cherry Chimes' January Newsletter where we look back at the most viewed articles that featured on the blog last month. It was a surprise that the League Cup tie against Liverpool was not among the top viewed stories, but you certainly like to read about transfer news.

The special story on the Newsletter asks:
Is 2015 to be the breakthrough year for AFCB? 

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