A new found confidence to the Cherries' play

There were not a great deal of changes in terms of personnel to the team that took on Watford to that which lost narrowly to Stoke City, but there was reason to be pleased with further development in the performance of the team that look more confident and at ease when playing at home now. The win against Sunderland had probably settled the players a little when playing at Dean Court, but the need to try and beat another newly promoted side was clear to see when the Cherries upped their game for the visit of Watford.

The Cherries have not looked out of place in the Premier League.

I believed that the Watford match would be the most difficult of all the games played by AFCB so far. It wasn't just that Watford had been getting good results against other teams, but the day was going to be an emotional one with what happened in the Championship last season and the keenest to play their best in a fitting tribute to the memory of Mick Cunningham. The players rose above the pressure and played what I thought was their best football of the season in the first half. 

Dan Gosling has now played a few games in central midfield and is contributing with Surman to a more effective midfield and Simon Francis is making his trademark runs again with real evidence that he can deliver the kind of crosses that will provide goals for the team again.  King and Murray will have to work at their partnership but there were good signs with Murray holding up the ball and King running at defences. 

While Watford did score, if you take away that moment, there was little to trouble Boruc in the first half and even in the second 45 minutes the chances for Watford were limited mainly to a shot from Anya that Boruc saved and a long distance shot from Watson that hit the bar. Considering that Watford had been a team that was creating many more chances against other teams the Cherries did well to restrict them to two shots on target. It was a solid point and could have gone even better so there is good reason to look forward to the Cherries coming back after the international break.

I see it is all change when it comes to match timings for Chelsea away and Man Utd at home as SKY are looking to see the Cherries do something special in December. Three 5.30 kick offs,  with the Arsenal match also now being later, might not be great news for everyone but at least the dates have not altered.

Finally, I hope there is a big turn out to say farewell to Mick Cunningham today. Well done for all those who can make it. I'm sure everyone is thinking about Mick today wherever they are. UTCIAD!