I don't know all the ins and outs of why Matt Ritchie was unable to shake off his dead leg in time to play in the game against Norwich City, but it is as well that he finely has been given a rest after all the work he has put in this season. It has been much to his credit that he has played in all but two of AFCB's matches since August, having only not played some minutes in the Capital One Cup game against Preston and missing out against Norwich last weekend in the Premier League.
As an outfield player that is a heavy workload and Matt perhaps needed a bit of a break with the goals for him starting to dry up a little. Eddie Howe suggested that he could be back for the match up at Sunderland and to have a fully fit Matt Ritchie on the pitch is always a bonus for the Cherries. The transfer talk on him has dropped a little in the last week or so and it is maybe also wise to keep him out of any rumours, as it is well known at the club that he is essential for the club's survival plans and he is not a player they can afford to lose.
I was surprised the other day to check on the stats and to see that AFCB have not actually scored from a free kick yet this season. Matt and Junior Stanislas are the two main takers in that situation, so I am hoping that they can do some work on that in training this week. We have seen some great set pieces though from corners and in games where there could be little differences between the sides it is the ability of players like Ritchie to create something special that Eddie Howe is counting on.
Matt did exactly that against Sunderland in the reverse fixture at Dean Court when he chested the ball down from a corner and volleyed it in from some 20 yards out. It may be asking a bit much for him to do something similar again, but Matt never seems to be quiet for too long and by having a rest now he could be the man to star up at the Stadium of Light.
Score Prediction competition
Win yourself a new AFCB zipped wallet just by predicting the correct score line of the game between Sunderland v AFCB. Tweet your prediction to @PeterBell19 and follow.
Many thanks to Cherry Chimes sponsors for enabling us to offer some competition prizes with their continued support - Natterjacks Vets, Broomhill Garden Buildings and AltamiraDeco. Make sure you mention Cherry Chimes and have a good chat about AFCB when visiting these local businesses.
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| Matt should be fresh for Sunderland match. |
I was surprised the other day to check on the stats and to see that AFCB have not actually scored from a free kick yet this season. Matt and Junior Stanislas are the two main takers in that situation, so I am hoping that they can do some work on that in training this week. We have seen some great set pieces though from corners and in games where there could be little differences between the sides it is the ability of players like Ritchie to create something special that Eddie Howe is counting on.
Matt did exactly that against Sunderland in the reverse fixture at Dean Court when he chested the ball down from a corner and volleyed it in from some 20 yards out. It may be asking a bit much for him to do something similar again, but Matt never seems to be quiet for too long and by having a rest now he could be the man to star up at the Stadium of Light.
 |
| New AFCB Wallet up for grabs. |
Win yourself a new AFCB zipped wallet just by predicting the correct score line of the game between Sunderland v AFCB. Tweet your prediction to @PeterBell19 and follow.
Many thanks to Cherry Chimes sponsors for enabling us to offer some competition prizes with their continued support - Natterjacks Vets, Broomhill Garden Buildings and AltamiraDeco. Make sure you mention Cherry Chimes and have a good chat about AFCB when visiting these local businesses.
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