AFCB fans might have expected Tommy Elphick or Sylvain Distin to be included in the starting 11 at Watford having seen how well they played at Everton. Eddie Howe though went back to putting Simon Francis in central defence while also calling back Steve Cook having rested him since the Stoke home game.
While Franno is arguably AFCB best player at right back his transition to central defender appears to be a project that is not going to stop any time soon. While the Everton match saw him back in his old right back slot, he clearly sees himself as a player that can play at centre back now and in the coming years. Eddie has perhaps decided that Adam Smith has also deserved his spot in the side at right back and he should be kept in the team.
It does seem a pity though for Distin and Elphick who have been working to be match fit and now have to wait while not getting games. The centre back area has been one of the areas of the team where fans might have expected to see a new face in January as the amount of goals that the back four have conceded is amongst the highest in the division. In the summer we might see that addition, but by playing Steve Cook as much as he can this season. Eddie Howe has given the ex-Brighton player a good taste of what is required in the Premier League and he will surely be better for that next season.
In the short term it is all about staying up and if that means putting in experience, then Sylvain Distin is there and he may still be called upon if the Cherries start to find points hard to come by during the run in. It is Cook and Franno that have the shirts at the moment though and it may be that Tommy Elphick is the player that will need the most picking up if he continues to sit on the bench while Franno captains the side and plays in his position.
Send in your score predictions for AFCB v Southampton to @PeterBell19
We will give away the AFCB beer mat to the correct score winner. If there are more than one correct score we will draw the winner from the hat.
The Cherry Chimes Newsletter will be out tomorrow.While Franno is arguably AFCB best player at right back his transition to central defender appears to be a project that is not going to stop any time soon. While the Everton match saw him back in his old right back slot, he clearly sees himself as a player that can play at centre back now and in the coming years. Eddie has perhaps decided that Adam Smith has also deserved his spot in the side at right back and he should be kept in the team.
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| Steve Cook keeps a step ahead of Tommy Elphick and Sylvain Distin in central defence. |
In the short term it is all about staying up and if that means putting in experience, then Sylvain Distin is there and he may still be called upon if the Cherries start to find points hard to come by during the run in. It is Cook and Franno that have the shirts at the moment though and it may be that Tommy Elphick is the player that will need the most picking up if he continues to sit on the bench while Franno captains the side and plays in his position.
Send in your score predictions for AFCB v Southampton to @PeterBell19
We will give away the AFCB beer mat to the correct score winner. If there are more than one correct score we will draw the winner from the hat.
Cherry Chimes' March Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Afobe underlines lower league quality
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