Cherries will keep intensity levels high

The result at Ipswich might well have been guessed as really by both sides considering that it has been a drawn outcome the previous three encounters, but anything can happen and slipping 1-0 down so early in the game was a bit unusual for the Cherries. It was mission comeback and it so nearly didn't materialise despite all the clever passing and good movement of the players. Ipswich stuck to their task and made it difficult as they so often do.

After the match Eddie Howe was talking about keeping the intensity levels high for the next six matches. We know from last season that the last few games are no guarantee of points and everything the players scrap for will not be given to them lightly. For the Ipswich  match I was pleased to see that the players did not change their style in the first half and kept playing positively from the back. Things didn't all go right. There were misplaced passes and a few misunderstandings even between Francis and Ritchie which is unusual. It has also been a while since Ryan Fraser has started and he had big shoes to fill with Marc Pugh being absent. The work rate from everyone though was good and even if some got a bit frustrated the points will come if they can keep their heads and concentrate on their game.

Ritchie will be looking for better finishing against Birmingham.

Against Birmingham it will still not be easy. AFCB need the crowd to lift the pressure and to get behind the team  as well as they did when Middlesbrough visited. Win the game and AFCB will be in a strong position with another match gone. It is all about the players in from of AFCB and causing that team as many problems as they can. Do that and this team is good enough to open teams up as we have seen in the past. I expect more chances at home and if they can get the early goal this time it would be great to see AFCB play with a bit of freedom - that's what we are after now.  Enjoy the game and - UTCIAD!