John Lanari clearly like to keep Cherry Chimes' readers up to date with the tension of watching the season for AFCB many miles from Dean Court. Here is his latest offering in which he tells us that life as an AFCB fan is bound to be a bit nail-biting at times, it's all part of the fun!
While this performance is beyond our best hopes, we can argue that in some way, we should have seen it coming. Our first half was riddled with injuries, bad breaks, bad calls and some poor form. Like the stock markets and my golf game, things will typically revert to the mean over time. Even-Stephen is a fickle so-and-so, but he does usually show up. Since Christmas, we have seen a healthy squad (latest injuries to Steve Cook and Adam Smith are a bit worrisome, and hopefully short-term), great form, some good luck and a touch of magic. Eddie Howe has been masterful, setting up the team to take advantage of its assets, and on Saturday against Stoke, making adjustments on the fly after Cookie was removed.
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When things were gloomy, including the FA Cup disappointment, I observed some very curious comments from a few Cherries fans. One in particular went something like “if we are always going to be the kind of team that struggles for seventeenth position, I want no part of it”. This type of thinking mystifies me. As fans, we always live and die with the results, but it is just the third year in the Premier League. We cannot enjoy the struggle if we are not part of it. Was there any greater feeling than staying up after the first year, beating Liverpool 4-3 last year, or the current run? Even if there was some anxiety along the way?
If the season were to end today, the Cherries would have the twelfth longest tenure in the Premier League. Given that there are seven perennial teams, that is amazing stuff. With new facilities yet to come, how much more does anyone need to claim “it’s good to be Cherry”.
We cannot know how long this will last, and if anything were to cast a shadow on the horizon, it is the passage of time. Long-time Cherries' favourites are getting older, and if we hope to compete in Cup competition, we may eventually have to say good-bye. And, while by every measure Eddie Howe is a most loyal man, some team (or perhaps his country) will come to get him one day.
So, Up The Cherries, my friends. In the words of Billy Joel, “this is a time to remember, ‘cause it will not last forever, these are the days to hold on to”.
You can email John at: jlanari@rogers.com
In other News Cherry Chimes has been talking to the Express and Star about Benik Afobe
Daily Mail Fans Verdict is also out - AFCB 2 v 1 Stoke City
AskFans Match Report - AFCB 2 v 1 Stoke City
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| John has been enjoying watching AFCB's recent run across the satellite channels. |
With just about 20 hours of football left in the season, Cherries fans should be absolutely thrilled with recent events. We are on an unprecedented streak of seven Premier League games without a defeat. Our fifteen points since Christmas is bested only by Liverpool over the same period (with 16). That’s Europe territory, dilly ding. While still some ways off from certainty, we can be cautiously optimistic that a fourth year in the Premier League is on the cards. [Ed- maybe a bit early to celebrate yet, says Cherry Chimes!].
While this performance is beyond our best hopes, we can argue that in some way, we should have seen it coming. Our first half was riddled with injuries, bad breaks, bad calls and some poor form. Like the stock markets and my golf game, things will typically revert to the mean over time. Even-Stephen is a fickle so-and-so, but he does usually show up. Since Christmas, we have seen a healthy squad (latest injuries to Steve Cook and Adam Smith are a bit worrisome, and hopefully short-term), great form, some good luck and a touch of magic. Eddie Howe has been masterful, setting up the team to take advantage of its assets, and on Saturday against Stoke, making adjustments on the fly after Cookie was removed.
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If the season were to end today, the Cherries would have the twelfth longest tenure in the Premier League. Given that there are seven perennial teams, that is amazing stuff. With new facilities yet to come, how much more does anyone need to claim “it’s good to be Cherry”.
We cannot know how long this will last, and if anything were to cast a shadow on the horizon, it is the passage of time. Long-time Cherries' favourites are getting older, and if we hope to compete in Cup competition, we may eventually have to say good-bye. And, while by every measure Eddie Howe is a most loyal man, some team (or perhaps his country) will come to get him one day.
So, Up The Cherries, my friends. In the words of Billy Joel, “this is a time to remember, ‘cause it will not last forever, these are the days to hold on to”.
You can email John at: jlanari@rogers.com
In other News Cherry Chimes has been talking to the Express and Star about Benik Afobe
Daily Mail Fans Verdict is also out - AFCB 2 v 1 Stoke City
AskFans Match Report - AFCB 2 v 1 Stoke City
Well said indeed
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