It was a magnificent scoreline against Norwich in what could have been a very different day if the score had not gone AFCB's way and the Canaries had got an early equaliser. The three points were massive not only because AFCB moved three points clear of the relegation zone, after Swansea's win, but it helps heap the pressure on Norwich as it was a heavy defeat for them.
The pleasing factor that Eddie pointed out was that while the team found it hard to get the second goal they did not stop doing the things that had got them ahead in the first place. Letting teams back into games is never the plan, but it is not so easy to keep your foot on the gas and to play with the same intensity when you have the lead. To some extent it should have become almost routine for the Cherries to see a game out having taken the lead as they have been ahead in so many games scoring some eight times n the first 15 minutes of matches. But in so many of those games they have seen the opposition come back into the game, which is why the second goal against Norwich was so important last weekend.
AFCB have not been comfortable in too many games this season but it will have been a good feeling for the players to have been 3-0 up against Norwich with 15 minutes to go. Norwich did have three shots on target but it was never one of Artur Boruc's busiest of games and yet when he was needed he did his job well.
Despite the pleasing result I do think that AFCB need to get Afobe more involved in general play. He had easily the fewest touches during the game from a Bournemouth player point of view and that was in a game that the Cherries were dominating. The ball was mainly kept in midfield and while Marc Pugh and Harry Arter were players getting opportunities to shoot it took three-quarters of the game before Benik had the chance to finish cooly in front of the Steve Fletcher stand. I know that discounts the first half when Declan Rudd deprived Benik of a chance to score with his yellow card challenge, but he'll be hoping for more chances like that to put Sunderland away early.
FA Cup
It will be Pompey away in the fourth round for the Cherries! Portsmouth beat Ipswich 2-1 last night.
Meanwhile, Josh Wakefield is having his second day of a two day trial with Sean O'Driscoll at Walsall.
The pleasing factor that Eddie pointed out was that while the team found it hard to get the second goal they did not stop doing the things that had got them ahead in the first place. Letting teams back into games is never the plan, but it is not so easy to keep your foot on the gas and to play with the same intensity when you have the lead. To some extent it should have become almost routine for the Cherries to see a game out having taken the lead as they have been ahead in so many games scoring some eight times n the first 15 minutes of matches. But in so many of those games they have seen the opposition come back into the game, which is why the second goal against Norwich was so important last weekend.
AFCB have not been comfortable in too many games this season but it will have been a good feeling for the players to have been 3-0 up against Norwich with 15 minutes to go. Norwich did have three shots on target but it was never one of Artur Boruc's busiest of games and yet when he was needed he did his job well.
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| Benik will hopefully be less isolated when up against Sunderland. |
FA Cup
It will be Pompey away in the fourth round for the Cherries! Portsmouth beat Ipswich 2-1 last night.
Meanwhile, Josh Wakefield is having his second day of a two day trial with Sean O'Driscoll at Walsall.
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