Cherries' glass should be half full not half empty

It is easy to get despondent when AFCB's last five results read no wins and four defeats. The Cherries can't feel down though after putting in the second half performance they did at St Mary's. If they had scored it would have been a wonderful second 45 and the fans would have been given more to sing about. But I think the pain of the two big defeats against Man City and Spurs made it absolutely vital for the players that they give a reaction to going 2-0 down at Southampton. They knew they would have to dig deep and they did, which should give fans a clear indication that the team is very much fighting to get more points on the board.  

Eddie Howe wanted the fans to be proud of the team in the derby and while they did not win I can't see any reason for supporters to not be encouraged by the fighting spirit we saw in that second half. Things weren't right in the first 45 minutes, but Southampton did not want the game to go the way it did after half time. Koeman was not impressed by his side's second half and he was quite right not to be overjoyed as AFCB bossed the half.

AFCB's players were caught off guard against
Southampton and Eddie Howe was not sure why. The second half was an amazing
turnaround though even if the Cherries did not score.

Yes we need to see that kind of performance for 90 minutes and not just 45 minutes, but against lesser teams than Southampton I feel the Cherries would have scored they way they played in that half. They must take that into the Newcastle game and look to control the game from the start. You forget that Southampton were at home and how do you think their fans felt about the second half at St Mary's. Their saving grace was that it took AFCB until the 87th minute to get a shot on target.

The positives were still many though despite another defeat for AFCB. Arter got another 70 minutes under his belt. Francis can fit in at centre back and Adam Smith was creative at right back, even if crosses from his side of the field led to Southampton goals. Eddie also now knows that he has to play with pace and I thought both Tomlin and Stanislas in particular came on wanting to prove that they were going to shoot whenever they could.

I was very sad to hear that an AFCB fan from Christchurch was badly injured after the match and ended up in hospital. I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

You can listen to a round up of the derby match with Southampton on All Departments now. Go to the All Departments' website to listen in or scroll down the panel on Cherry Chimes until you get to the All Department's sound bar.