Thursday 20 September 2018

AFCB can hang in there at the top of the table

Eddie Howe stressed that the win against Leicester was an important three points and I agree that it was more important than the win over Cardiff City and possibly even the away match at West Ham. Leicester are not a side that make it easy for teams and Bournemouth ran them ragged from the first minute of the game. While Leicester had their chances, Bournemouth defended in the main well and with some luck you could say. But Begovic's saves and the blocks from Steve Cook were just as helpful as Fraser's goals, and Bournemouth are building into a team that are starting to believe they can live with the top six in this league.
How long can Bournemouth keep up their average of two pints a game?
Beating Leicester was a big step. In the past these games have usually been draws but AFCB are trying to better themselves at every point and the targets they are setting themselves are simply to win the next game. With Burnley up next, Ryan Fraser was quick to admit that Turf Moor will be tough, but also stressed that Bournemouth won their last season and 'we are better now'. It's not arrogance, but confidence and it's not just coming from Fraser, but you can see it in all the players.

Why might it be different this season? I believe it is the impact that the new signings have made. David Brooks shouldn't be that good that he can take to the Premier League so well and yet he has managed it, and fits into the team perfectly. He will blossom more when he gets his first goal. Jefferson Lerma is a man mountain in the middle of the park and while he reminds me of a past Marvin Bartley, he is calmer under pressure and showed a great sense of maturity against Leicester with his decisions. Diegio Rico is also providing major competition for the left-back spot and he will learn from leaving his foot in for the late penalty against Leicester City.
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If Bournemouth can hang in there with the likes of Leicester and Everton then they will be knocking on the door of the top six. The fixtures are lined up so as to give Bournemouth a chance of staying amongst the leaders, if they can get results against teams that have mediocre starts such as Burnley and Crystal Palace. The programme is already building for a strong season and Bournemouth could have a mouthwatering tie against Watford in a few weeks time to see which of them can give the top six a run for their money.  

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