AFCB needed a win for momentum

The pressure was probably on the AFCB players more than the fans will ever know at Rotherham, having recently slipped up against Norwich at home. It would have been easy to have felt sorry for themselves having not made the most of a home game, but they went back on the road to take on a team that had been reinforced with much stronger players in the January window, so that the Rotherham team was virtually unrecognisable from the team that the Cherries dismantled in the cup two weeks earlier. It needed a professional performance and a league leader's mentality to get the three points.

If the match had not gone the Cherries way there would have been a lot of nervous tension to take into the Leeds game on Tuesday and the thought of coming back to Dean Court with no points would have been on the player's mind before the FA Cup game against Aston Villa. Now, if they can find their relaxed rhythm against Leeds and secure three more points then the Aston Villa match can be enjoyed for what it is.

An exciting week ahead for AFCB.

Against Rotherham there was less swagger than we have seen in some performances from the Cherries, but I think we can say they did a job. We have often seen teams do a job on the Cherries and it was good to know that Eddie Howe's teams can use their qualities to hold off teams well at arms length and in such battles they can come out winners. The confidence of being at the top of the table is starting to sit a bit easier with the players and it is all about kicking on now. Other teams are recognising that AFCB are the team that play attractive football and can turn on the style at any time during the 90 minutes. When in top gear they are very difficult to stop and unlike previous AFCB teams they find ways to win games.

While other teams are starting to take points off each other, AFCB can start to get a real grip on the Championship. It's about the players now and their desire, because there is a big prize waiting for them and they need to keep believing that it is there for them if they can keep the wins coming.

Check out All Departments' latest podcast that reviews the 0-2 win at Rotherham Utd. You can visit the All Departments' website or scroll down the panel on Cherry Chimes and listen by clicking on the sound bar for All Departments.