Francis needs to put in a captain's performance

Simon Francis is going to reach 250 games for AFCB if selected to play against Arsenal and he has been one of the best players for the club in the Premier League when you consider AFCB have not one a game in this league without him. But this season he has not hit top form frequently, and while he has had to play a dual role in both centre-back and right back positions, he has perhaps missed the satisfaction of just playing on one position and getting his game right.

Francis can up his game.

It is unusual to see Francis struggle but that is what we have had to come to terms with in this third Premier League season. It is a problem because as captain he needs to do well to enshrine the confidence and authority he wants to impart to the team on the field. But when your captain is making mistakes it is hard to nowhere to look when you need some leadership.

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I still think Francis will improve in games this season as he works so hard and is one of the players that has a winning streak running through him. He, like many of the other players has worked too hard for many years to reach this point not to give up without a fight. Perhaps the changing of positions has made it harder for him and with Bournemouth fluctuating between a back three and a back four it has been a more unsettling season.

Still, Francis will probably lead the team out against Arsenal and will want to see something better than the Cherries produces at the Emirates. I just want him to have a really good game and to get that under his belt, because when Francis plays well AFCB usually win.

In other news, Get Football France claims AFCB have had a EUR12m bid for Rennes star Firmin Mubele rejected, quoting Goal France reporter Julien Quelen.