Beating Man City is not impossible

AFCB always like to try and achieve the impossible and the weekend's game will be seen by a good many football followers as almost a free game for the Cherries away to one of the real elite of English football. But AFCB have to play the 11 on the pitch as their equals and not as the star studied names we know they have. Man City will be confident of getting the win - let them be confident. Any kind of result for the Cherries though at the Etihad could define their season.   

There are some factors that may give the Bournemouth lads more reason for optimism than normal when taking on one of the big names. The blue side of Manchester just is simply not as good when they have an injured Vincent Kompany (okay, he could make a return in this game), David Silva and Sergio Aguero. In their last two home league matches they have conceded. Surely, Pellegrini has to tinker with his team which could just upset the balance a bit - yeah, I know, I'm starting to grasp at straws. All Man City's players are world class as we are likely to see the likes of Wilfred Bony, Fernandinho and Samir Nasri looking to get their share of the headlines. Still, can you imagine what a draw or a win at the Premier League leader's ground would do for the confidence of this Bournemouth side? And why can't they do something special? 

Can Matt Ritchie producer another stunning goal at the Etihad this time?

It only takes a second of something extraordinary like we have already season from Matt Ritchie this season to get a goal and to transform a game. The pitch still has a goal at either end and the Cherries should be looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere and the test. All they'll need is a Jeff Mostyn speech in the dressing room and to be shown the way onto the pitch.

I see no point in dwelling on the fact that the last side that went to the Etihad got battered 6-1 having scored first. AFCB are not Newcastle and having given Liverpool and West Ham difficult games away, Eddie Howe needs to find a way of getting back to that and standing up to the big teams. Play with confidence and there just might be a surprise result. It would also give teams above the Cherries a bit more of an uneasy feeling while it would demoralise those sitting below AFCB in the table. So far from seeing this as a free game, I see it as a chance to do some real damage to the confidence of other teams. If AFCB can make Man City wobble, they can do it to any team in the division.

What are your score predictions? Send them in to @peterbell19 if you want them up on the blog. For once, I would not be disappointed with a 0-0 draw.

Man City Home Form
WWLW

AFCB Away Form
LWLL

Reading around reports today it looks like Eddie Howe has signed up until at least the summer of 2020 which is terrific news and longer than I think most fans could dream of him committing himself to the club.

You can now see my answers that I gave to questions from Typical City Blog. Former Cherry Darryl Flahavan has also signed a deal with Crawley Town until January.