For all the mishaps AFCB are still in the mix

It may have come as a surprise to some that AFCB are not already cut adrift in the table. If they keep on letting in a lot of goals of course they will sink lower, but the early part of the season proved that the Cherries are capable of winning games and they will do again.

Far from being down beat any fan that has been down in the dumps should take a look at the league table and have a look at the fixtures coming up for Sunderland, Newcastle and Aston Villa. I take little pleasure on seeing the Premier split into several different leagues, but there is a distinct gap in ability between some of the top, middle, and bottom sides and Man City and Tottenham won't be fighting it out at the bottom of the league come next May.

The wait for points grows, but a win against the Saints would be massive. 

AFCB's next really big game is against Newcastle at home on 7 November and that game could reboot some of the enthusiasm for this season again on the south coast. While winning is a habit that even Chelsea have found hard to retain this season, AFCB must keep their end objective in mind and not get too emotionally drawn into results that will also come to other sides near the foot of the division.

We have already seen Norwich get hammered by Newcastle and Sunderland put three past their derby advisories. These kind of games are the key ones and as we know AFCB have slipped up against Norwich and Aston Villa already in what look like teams that will be also struggling to get a finishing place above 18th.

There's 28 games to go and the onus will be on not getting too carried away with the results. Sam Allardyce had introduced calm and organisation at Sunderland and we have already seen what a positive effect that has brought for the Black Cats. AFCB should be trying to steady the ship and regain their foothold and there is no reason why they can't do that at St Mary's.

I heard that AFCB's last win over Southampton was in 1958 in League Three and the Saint's have never lost at home to the Cherries. Perhaps we are overdue not only this fixture, but also a win. Enjoy the game today - it's not every day we get a derby with Southampton. UTCIAD!

For those wondering what has happened with Christian Atsu, he is back at Chelsea receiving treatment for a stress fracture on his leg. If you are not sure if this game with Southampton is really a derby or not read my views on Rival Lines and send in your score predictions to @peterbell19 on Twitter.

Out today - Cherry Chimes' November Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus a special Newsletter article entitled Target 17 points by Xmas?

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