Many AFCB fans would have hoped for four points from the games against Watford and Southampton but not so many would have thought it would come true. With other results going pretty much as hoped for on Tuesday and Wednesday night, there is now a more confident and killer instinct about the team as it prepares to head up north to play Newcastle Utd.
Eddie Howe openly stated that he had targeted these games to get the points required and the team has succeeded by being very energetic and asking more of themselves in these vital matches. It's made the difference. There has always been that inner belief that the team would be okay, but it is far better now that the points can clearly be seen up there on the table now. A total of 32 points from 28 games is well on target for survival and the task now is to finish the job by taking the points off of Newcastle Utd in return for how they virtually stole the points down at Dean Court.
The only drawbacks are the new injuries to Harry Arter and Josh King. Both seem to have problems with their Achilles and could be a doubt for the match up at St James' Park. However, AFCB have plenty of numbers in midfield and Dan Gosling could slip in well as we saw against Southampton. The most important run out on Tuesday night may well have been the return of Lewis Grabban, seeing as Josh has a problem and may also want to spend some time with his new born son, Noah.
So we could see some changes for the game at Newcastle. Max Gradel has also played another 85 minutes and Eddie Howe said he wanted to manage the winger's time. Well he did not get much of a rest against Southampton. Marc Pugh will be on call though if needed and Juan Iturbe may be back in the squad to go up to Tyneside.
Whatever the team though, AFCB know they must not let things slip now. They can overtake Crystal Palace and start looking to catch WBA and Watford in time for the return of Callum Wilson. UTCIAD!
Possible AFCB Team
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Pugh, Grabban, Afobe
Subs
Federici, Distin, Elphick, Iturbe, MacDonald, Gradel, Murray
Eddie Howe openly stated that he had targeted these games to get the points required and the team has succeeded by being very energetic and asking more of themselves in these vital matches. It's made the difference. There has always been that inner belief that the team would be okay, but it is far better now that the points can clearly be seen up there on the table now. A total of 32 points from 28 games is well on target for survival and the task now is to finish the job by taking the points off of Newcastle Utd in return for how they virtually stole the points down at Dean Court.
 |
| It's time for Lewis Grabban to perform. |
So we could see some changes for the game at Newcastle. Max Gradel has also played another 85 minutes and Eddie Howe said he wanted to manage the winger's time. Well he did not get much of a rest against Southampton. Marc Pugh will be on call though if needed and Juan Iturbe may be back in the squad to go up to Tyneside.
Whatever the team though, AFCB know they must not let things slip now. They can overtake Crystal Palace and start looking to catch WBA and Watford in time for the return of Callum Wilson. UTCIAD!
Possible AFCB Team
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Pugh, Grabban, Afobe
Subs
Federici, Distin, Elphick, Iturbe, MacDonald, Gradel, Murray
No comments:
Post a Comment