I was shocked to think when reading the programme up at Newcastle that some home fans had expected Matt Ritchie to get a bad reception from the Bournemouth fans. Okay, he left rather unexpectedly and decided to drop down a division, but Newcastle is historically a much bigger club with a fabulous fanbase and with a great manager, so you could see why Ritchie saw it as a move he'd like to make. Of course, the Bournemouth fans were very good to Ritchie when he ran on at St James' Park and he was highly applauded. It was only at the end that AFCB fans perhaps, more in relief and jest than anything else, had a bit of fun by asking Ritchie what the score was. Well, it's always nice to win isn't it.
Matt was magnificent in the first half and I think Bournemouth fans knew that there was one Newcastle player on the pitch who was likely to cause trouble. Matt peppered the Bournemouth goal with two fantastic strikes in that opening 45 minutes and the job that Daniels and Aké had to do was immense at keeping Ritchie from scoring, let alone Begovic in goal.
I think if Ritchie had scored there would have been a bit of grudging respect owed and while Bournemouth fans would have been quiet, everyone knows when you are watching a great player. In reality, we should be pleased that AFCB's staff helped Ritchie get to that level as a winger. He shoots early and has such a presence on the football field that he must be a delight to play with in your team. I wish him all the best for the season, but still hope he finds it just as hard to score when he comes down to Dean Court next year.
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| Ritchie's quality is still missed by AFCB. |
I think if Ritchie had scored there would have been a bit of grudging respect owed and while Bournemouth fans would have been quiet, everyone knows when you are watching a great player. In reality, we should be pleased that AFCB's staff helped Ritchie get to that level as a winger. He shoots early and has such a presence on the football field that he must be a delight to play with in your team. I wish him all the best for the season, but still hope he finds it just as hard to score when he comes down to Dean Court next year.
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I was asked the other day whether AFCB had replaced Matt adequately. To be honest, I don't think Eddie Howe has, and while Jordan Ibe is the clear understudy that AFCB have taken on, it is possible Ryan Fraser that is getting closest to what Matt Ritchie has to offer. As a fellow Scottish international, Fraser will get to see a fair bit of Ritchie still and I'd like to think they will get on well and share a few laughs including this latest encounter, even if Fraser did not make it onto the pitch.
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