AFCB know all about Ritchie

The game has come around where AFCB will meet up again with Matt Ritchie. Ritchie was very much apart of AFCB's success in getting promoted and staying in the Premier League in that first season and he will get a good reception from the Bournemouth fans who will be hoping he does not show us all his quality up at St James' Park.

Matt is likely to have some mixed feelings playing AFCB.

Matt is undoubtedly enjoying his time up at Newcastle and he has quickly become a favourite there as well. I felt that when Bournemouth signed him from Swindon it was a massive coup and Newcastle felt the same when he left Bournemouth. We know all about his style and his excellent deliveries into the box and he'll be a tough one to try and mark out of the game.

Eddie Howe also knows some of Ritchie's weakness as well though and Bournemouth will want to try and get him defending as much as they can. His low centre of gravity makes him a difficult bundle of energy to stop when he is shooting up the wing, but the Cherries must be careful that they don't give him too many free kick opportunities. Ritchie will be only one of several problems for AFCB but for us fans it will be good just to see him play even if it is not for AFCB.

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Bournemouth's players have to concentrate on Newcastle as a whole though and their many individuals who can change a game. Bournemouth have to make a big performance in this game because the Geordies will see this as a game they must win at home, casting AFCB into even more trouble. If AFCB can stop Ritchie that will be one part of the game plan carried out successfully, but AFCB will need to show much more with the ball than we have seen in recent games to get past this Newcastle side under Benitez who has them playing well.