Pitman is turning in top performances

Okay, it wasn't quite a perfect boxing day for Brett. A missed penalty never looks good on the match report, but there was so much more to Brett's game against Fulham that was positive that it is hard to dwell too long on that. I wondered at times if I was watching the same Brett Pitman that we have come to know over the years because he was central to most of the early play in directing the ball to Ritchie or Surman and playing little triangles to expose Fulham's back four. He did it time and time again and even won most of the headers he battled for. It was a great performance by AFCB's number 10.

When the goal came it was all rather quick and simple. Ritchie's corner caught out Fulham's marking completely and Brett had a golden opportunity to score with his dash to the near post and he took the chance cleanly. AFCB are not a strong heading team in front of goal, but it just shows that Brett can finish such moves just like Yann Kermorgant when he attacks the ball. Yann is more powerful for sure, but the first goal was all about the timing of the run and Brett judged that perfectly to put the Cherries ahead.

Brett's link up play was so good that even Eddie Howe
mentioned it in his post-match interview.

Eddie has made it clear that while the team is winning it is hard to change the team around. I thought Kermorgant would ease his way back into the team fairly quickly, but Brett is starting to score regularly now and it is great for the team. Whether Brett needs to think about a bit more variation in his spot kicks is something that I would expect Eddie Howe to say to him at some point, as AFCB are being keenly watched now at the top of the table. Any advantage other teams can find they will use against AFCB and perhaps a penalty blasted down the middle is a good option now and again. I'm sure Brett has that in his locker.

Brett is now on eight goals for the season and he is starting to catch Callum Wilson at this rate. It is all looking pretty good at the moment, but the Millwall match a few weeks ago is a reminder that even when AFCB go ahead in games it is not a simple task to kill off games, and Brett will want to be among the goals again on Sunday to see if he can help AFCB to another three points at the New Den tomorrow.