Bournemouth have pleased and disappointed in equal measure this week. While the same players have not been involved in the two matches, the feeling of a quick exit from the FA Cup sticks more in the mind than the fabulous comeback against Arsenal, and it seems frustrating that fans, and probably the players are in need of a lift only a few days after one of their best ever wins in the Premier League.
What Eddie has to do is get those players performing. Another flat performance like we saw in mid-week would throw AFCB back into more trouble and it is important new to keep collecting points with a difficult match against Chelsea just around the corner. Against a side like West Ham, Bournemouth have to show fighting qualities. The defeat in mid-week could actually have a positive affect, if Howe can show how annoyed he was on the night and get the players bursting to play well.
Back-to-back wins have been a rare commodity for AFCB and that must worry the manager. In fact, AFCB have not won away in the league in their last five games. This last week has also been just like a microcosm of the season as a whole - up and down. Trying to get a bit of calm breathing space seems just out of reach, but a win against West Ham would at least make the FA Cup exit a ripple rather than a chasm which it currently feels like.
AFCB Away League Form
DDLLD
West Ham Home League Form
DWDLW
Visit West Ham Till I Die to read a Question and Answer session with Cherry Chimes previewing the West Ham v Bournemouth match.
Competition - Win a T-Shirt Send in your score predictions on a Tweet for your chance to win a Cherry Chimes T-Shirt. We will pick one winner if more than one fan predicts the correct score. T-Shirts are adult size Medium or Large. It's free entry.
Send your Score Tweet for #WHA v #AFCB to @CherryChimes before 10 am on Saturday 20 Jan 2018.
 |
| The Cherries seek only their second back-to-back league wins of the season on Saturday. |
Still, I am a realist. Given the choice before last week wold I ave been pleased with a cup exit and yet three points against Arsenal in the league? You bet I would. It was the manner of the defeat against Wigan that has made everyone angry and while preparations for the league matches have to take priority, I wonder if the magnitude of how the team would feel after defeat against Wigan was really ever considered. Eddie Howe took a late flight up to the game fro Southampton on Wednesday, so he could stay behind and work with the players who would be featuring against West Ham this Saturday a little while longer. It's that big a game this weekend.
What Eddie has to do is get those players performing. Another flat performance like we saw in mid-week would throw AFCB back into more trouble and it is important new to keep collecting points with a difficult match against Chelsea just around the corner. Against a side like West Ham, Bournemouth have to show fighting qualities. The defeat in mid-week could actually have a positive affect, if Howe can show how annoyed he was on the night and get the players bursting to play well.
Back-to-back wins have been a rare commodity for AFCB and that must worry the manager. In fact, AFCB have not won away in the league in their last five games. This last week has also been just like a microcosm of the season as a whole - up and down. Trying to get a bit of calm breathing space seems just out of reach, but a win against West Ham would at least make the FA Cup exit a ripple rather than a chasm which it currently feels like.
AFCB Away League Form
DDLLD
West Ham Home League Form
DWDLW
Visit West Ham Till I Die to read a Question and Answer session with Cherry Chimes previewing the West Ham v Bournemouth match.
Competition - Win a T-Shirt Send in your score predictions on a Tweet for your chance to win a Cherry Chimes T-Shirt. We will pick one winner if more than one fan predicts the correct score. T-Shirts are adult size Medium or Large. It's free entry.
Send your Score Tweet for #WHA v #AFCB to @CherryChimes before 10 am on Saturday 20 Jan 2018.
 |
| Stephen models the shirt but I promise you, you'll have a brand new one he's already walked off with this one! |
As a hammer, I appreciate your football and Bournmouth's character. You deserved the point at your place, if not more. I'm not sure West Ham are the finished article yet, and our win against Huddersfield flattered to deceive: Arnautovic's goal 11 s into the second half took the wind out of their sails, but up until that point, they had been well in it. They press, as you do, and we don't like that... I wouldn't be surprised if you got 3 points this weekend. Hopefully, from our point of view, we'll play like we did in the second half against Huddersfield, rather than the first. Cheers.
ReplyDelete