Was Cherries Bristol U21 side a for-runner for Millwall Cup fixture?

The U21 game against Bristol City was an outing for quite a few players that may well have the chance of running out on 7th January against Millwall in the FA Cup. It was no surprise that Eddie Howe was attending to see how the players got on with a Bristol side that found the Cherries a bit too tasty considering it was a 0-7 drubbing.

While the African Cup of Nations is going to take Max Gradel and Benik Afobe out of the squad for an unknown period of time, depending on their respective team's progress, it was noticeable that Stephen Purches' side was still mainly made up of players that have been unable to get a run in the first team of late. 

Will Eddie rotate the squad when it comes to the FA Cup?

AFCB line up v Bristol U21 yesterday
Allsop, Lee, M Wilson, Mings, B Smith, Gradel, Hyndman, Worthington, Mousset, Ibe.

Subs: Jordan, O'Connell, Surridge, Grabban.

Will Eddie give Ryan Allsop a run out instead of Federici? I imagine Ryan has been working hard and he should be keen to get a game against a side that is a League One side. It is where he has been playing last season so it is the sort of challenge he should be ready for.

Last season we did see Jordan Lee play in the FA Cup third round against Birmingham and I felt he had a very good game that day. I like the thought of Tyrone Mings and Marc Wilson perhaps teaming up as a central pairing as well as Wilson will have the experience while Mings will be learning his trade as a centre-back. 

Advertisement

The midfield may see some tweeking yet though before the Millwall Cup tie. Emerson Hyndman has not really got his Bournemouth career going so it will be fantastic to see how he goes in a cup game, although I fancy he may be partnered with a wise head like Andrew Surman. Surman spoke to me before the Southampton game and said he would be back training this week so there is a good likelihood that he could be available by 7th January or even for the match away at Swansea. I also saw Junior Stanislas pre-Southamton down in the dugouts and he was certainly moving about without too much discomfort so he could also be ready for the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

I have heard that Lys Mousset may have been murmuring to the French press that he has not been given enough game time, but this will be his chance to make an impact. It is a time when he needs to bring his best football out as with a couple of players away on international duty there will be spaces in the first team up for grabs. Do your talking on the pitch would be the message I'd give to Lys.