AFCB have been treading water

AFCB have been up against it ever since Adam Smith was injured in the first part of the season. The injuries to Smith and Simon Francis occurred at a time just before the hard run of fixtures and AFCB never really recovered. While there was the odd win against Chelsea that flattered AFCB in showing they could win without Callum Wilson, it has been a dreadful last few months for Eddie Hoe and his team.

AFCB have to find it within themselves to start winning games again.

There has been a slow decline in confidence and AFCB keep looking for things to get a pick up from. It was thought that the return of Callum Wilson would be the magic ingredient and for a short while it certainly helped, but even he has now become overly concerned about hitting the target and is snatching at chances in front of goal.

Eddie though that it was the goalkeeper situation that needed looking at and when he put Boruc in goal there was a better confidence about the defence. That was blown away when Boruc was dropped and Begovic came back in. Now the back four is unsettled as well as the keepers. The stability has been broken.

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There are also rumours of players perhaps leaving this summer such as Ryan Fraser and Nathan Aké. The talk does not do anything for team spirit, while those who have injuries have to not only pick themselves up but also try and help their teammates who aren't winning games at the moment.

The pressure has been on for a while. We have all seen it as fans and while the away win at Huddersfield might have signalled a return to normality, it proved to be only a brief interlude. AFCB are on that cliff edge where they need one win to feel good about themselves again. But the defeats keep coming and Howe doesn't look any closer to finding answers yet. The analysis needs to be better to send these players out n the pitch with a belief that they are still the AFCB that can win games in the Premier League. Then the players have to execute the plan that has been given to them. They'll try again at Brighton and it's important that the fans try and help them now rather than getting on their backs if we want them to get that win. UTCIAD!