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Monday, 31 August 2020

A 2-1 first defeat for Tindall's AFCB

Jason Tindall's Bournemouth played their first friendly fixture of the summer. It was the first game under JT's management with Bournemouth going down 2-1 to Benfica. The Cherries played well, but couldn't keep the long range shooting of Benfica out. All the goals came in the first 21 minutes with Benfica's Adel Taarabt scoring first after 14 minutes. But Bournemouth equalised in the next minute, when Rico cut a ball back for Danjuma to slot home. Begovic was beaten a second time when Everton swivelled to score with a curling shot. It was Aranut Danjuma who sparkled for Bournemouth in a side that looked deprived of a fair few big names.
Danjuma played well enough to probably interest Benfica

The surprise pick of the team was to see Asmir Begovic as the first goalkeeper choice with Mark Travers left on the bench. Whether Tindall felt that playing a Champion's League team needed a n experienced keeper, or whether he was wanting to shield Travers in the first game under his reign is unknown, but it would be quite a statement if Begovic was keeper for Bournemouth's first game against Blackburn Rovers in a few week's time. Mark Travers did get to come on in the second half and did no harm to his campaign with a clean sheet.




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Callum Wilson was out with an Achilles injury and no doubt awaiting the phone to call from Tottenham, while David Brooks was said to have an ankle complaint, which might suggest that he is also expecting a call from Manchester United soon. The only regular to otherwise feel perhaps aggrieved with being on the bench were Philip Billing and Dan Gosling, as Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma started in central midfield. Adam Smith was also preferred to Jack Stacey at right back.

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While Lewis Cook was at fault for losing the ball ,before Benfica's first goal, Bournemouth managed a flurry of attacks and Danjuma looked a player who will be a big weapon for Bournemouth, if he can keep this kind of performance going. The central partnership of Steve Cook and Lloyd Kelly seems set, and Solanke and Surridge will look to build a strong partnership up front. Of the U21s drafted in, it was good to see Zemura, Anthony and Ofoborh get some minutes, but hopefully JT will be able to strength with a couple of signings before the season kicks off.
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AFCB: Begovic (Travers 45); Smith (Zemura 73), S Cook (Ofoborh 78(, Kelly, Rico (Simpson 63) Stanislas (Kilkenny 63), Lerma (Gosling 45), L Cook (Billing 45), Danjuma (Anthony)78, Solanke, Surridge.

AFCB Subs: Travers, Stacey, Simpson, Zemura, Billing, Gosling, Ofoborh, Kilkenny, Anthony.

In other news, Spurs are said to be in talks with Josh King, reports TalkSport.https://talksport.com/football/752872/tottenham-talks-sign-josh-king-talksport/


Chimes Newsletter - out tomorrow!
Cherry Chimes' September Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. The newsletter has a special story - What would be a good season for AFCB in 2020-21?

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Sunday, 30 August 2020

Tottenham move into pole position to buy Bournemouth striker

Callum Wilson has made no secret of his wage demands, if anyone is going to bid for him this summer. He may have frozen a few clubs out by asking for £75,000 a week, but Tottenham are willing to meet those demands, according to the Daily Express.
Is Callum's new home going to be at Tottenham? 
A move to a London club is ideal for Wilson who may not have to completely up root his young family to play at Spurs. Going to a top six club and playing his football under an established manager like José Mourhino would be a big step up for the former Coventry striker. There maybe difficulty for him in getting opportunities to play next to Harry Kane, but if Spurs dd look to play that way, it could really help Wilson's England claims, if he does well in the same side as Kane.


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What we don't know is how much Spurs are willing to pay Bournemouth to sign Callum. It could be £25m or above, but the deal could be lowered if Spurs say they are willing to pay his wages and Callum is keen to go there. It certainly doesn't look like Callum will be with Bournemouth much longer, and for our club it is best if the done is concluded quickly, so that Bournemouth have the funds to go and get a replacement.
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It is rather concerning that we haven't seem Bournemouth exercise any buying in the market yet and with 12 September not far away, I expect I am not alone in hoping for some action in the other direction. Bournemouth's bank balance is not going to win games if some of the money is not reinvested in players.
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I would think that Callum's agent has been pressing his move as we are also getting near to the start of the new season, and for any player it is unsettling if you don't know where you will be playing next season.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - The Disrupted Season 2019-20 - out next month

The Disrupted Season 2019-20 (ebook) can now be pre-ordered - click this link

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Saturday, 29 August 2020

The Disrupted Season (2019-20) - out next month

If you find it hard to believe the last season of football for AFC Bournemouth you will soon be able to read over it in some finer detail to see how things unfolded. The Disrupted Season (2019-20) captures events as they were happening, as I followed the Cherries through the optimistic first few months and then tried to puzzle out where things were going wrong, as the results started to slide away from the Cherries. Little did we know that COVID-19 would stop the Premier League and that Bournemouth would have a massive fight for survival with a dramatic last nine games.
The ebook is price at £9.99 and
has direct web links to Cherry Chimes.
My second AFC Bournemouth book will be released as an ebook for £9.99 on 12 September on Amazon and it will be in paperback format later in the month. I'll soon be providing links to where you can get hold of the book and will be sharing some of the text to give you more of an idea of what is inside.

 Like The Eddie Had A Dream book, I'll be donating 15 per cent of the earnings to the Julia's House Children's Charity for which Eddie Howe is the patron.

When I started writing the book I didn't expect it to be Eddie Howe's last season at AFC Bournemouth. I'd hoped it would be a great season with Bournemouth pushing towards a European place or at least on the verge of the top 10. Fearing the worst was always in the background of the games as they were being played out, and it taught me that as fans we do everything we can to instinctively try and hold on to anything that might turn results around.

 There were still plenty of high moments for me during the season, and I'll remember 2019-20 for being a very strange season more than anything else with the impact of COVID-19. There were a lot of arguments over whether the season should even have been completed behind closed doors. Picking over the non-football months were some of the most challenging chapters to write, but this extended season was unique for all of us and my aim was to capture the tensions and sense of hope that things would work out okay.

 Bournemouth fans soon found that every game became bigger and bigger towards the end. The pressure on Eddie Howe was felt by all Bournemouth supporters and however raw emotions were on 26 July 2020 when the season ended, I hope the book makes fans look back on the season and feel it was an important season to be recorded.

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I hope you enjoy the book. It gives fans a quick visual picture of the recent past Premier League games. I am sure we will compare last season to this new 2020/21 season and we will surely make comparisons between Jason Tindall's management and Eddie Howe's last year, no matter how hard we try not to. It will also put supporters back at Dean Court and remembering visits to some great football grounds in the country which we have enjoyed over the last five years.
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The main thing is we should be proud of our history and what the club has achieved. A fifth year in the Premier League was just another remarkable rollercoaster season for AFCB fans. We shouldn't forget those days.

 You can read more about the new book release here on the blog. Look out for more links to the new book in the next few weeks on Cherry Chimes.

 The ebook of the Disrupted Season (2019-20) can now be pre-ordered - click this link

 Previous post on Cherry Chimes - How might AFCB line-up for Benfica friendly?
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Friday, 28 August 2020

How might AFCB line-up for Benfica friendly?

It looks like AFCB are still living the Premier League high-life with a trip to Benfica in Portugal for their first pre-season friendly on Sunday. If finances were a concern, they are not being spared on pre-season training matches. But who will play for the Cherries in this game?
Sam Surridge has a big few weeks ahead of him.
With transfers still on-going, we could see some players rested if they are about to be sold. So it is an intriguing first line-up that we could see from Jason Tindall. We will immediately see if he is giving any younger players a shot at the first team and we could see who of Howe's old favourites are out of favour.
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While Begovic is back training with the team, it is likely that Mark Travers will be given the keeper gloves and perhaps Will Dennis in the second half. Adam Smith may be rested with potential interest in him reported, which would give Jack Stacey the right back spot. Diego Rico or Lloyd Kelly could start on the left side of the defence, while Steve Cook and Jack Simpson could be at centre-half, if Kelly is not used there. Chris Mepham was also back training but it might be too soon for him to play.
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Midfield should be very revealing into Tindall's thoughts with the season to come. Does he risk David Brooks who was injured in pre-season last year and with lots of transfer interest in him? International duties may mean we don't see David play just yet for AFCB, but JT could give Gavin Kilkenny a go who did well last year in pre-season. The middle of the park you would think would be occupied by Lerma and Billing, even if Aston Villa have shown interest in Billing. Dan Gosling is perhaps the choice if Billing is rested, but Lewis Cook may have to sit it out with Leeds United keen to see him come to Elland Road. There is also Nnamadi Ofoborh who could come into the reckoning if JT wants to see him up against top European players. Furthermore, Harry Arter is still with the AFCB, but perhaps will be over looked. Junior Stanislas we imagine would be the first choice for one of the wing positions, but Danjuma should get playing time I expect. Kyle Taylor could also be on the trip.

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That would just leave the strikers. It could be Solanke and Surridge to start if JT wants to push through sales of Callum Wilson and Josh King.

 There are a few decisions to be made which is what makes it curious for fans, but what we'd really like to see is a new signing unveiled. After much deliberation, I am guessing that this is a good balance between going strong and leaving some rather big names on the sidelines. Some of the players are also expected to be on international duty - this could mean Kelly and Travers miss out.
Possible AFCB line-up
Subs: Dennis, A Smith, Mepham, Simpson, Kilkenny, L Cook
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Has Bogvic been singing AFCB striker's praises?

 In other news,Turkish website Fanatik Sports reports Galatasaray are closing in on Jefferson Lerma's signing.
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Thursday, 27 August 2020

Has Begovic been singing AFCB striker's praises?

The news remains concentrated on who AFC Bournemouth will sell next and Italy appears that it could be the destination for one of Bournemouth's established strikers. I don't know if Asmir Begovic has been talking Josh King up but AC Milan, where Begivic was on loan this summer, are sad to be interested in the Norwegian strikers, reports the Daily Mail.
Josh King is expected to be bid for soon.
This could hurry up Josh King's sale as Man Utd and PSG are also said to be monitoring the situation. They are all big European clubs that will be in the Champions League next season and King may get the biggest move of the summer for a Bournemouth player in terms of pedigree of new clubs. If such clubs are interested in King it is a bit surprising that they haven't come in for him earlier with good bids. Josh has been highly valued by AFCB, but the quality of the player is now being seen by the clubs he is being linked to.

I think Josh King is very hard to replace because of his versatility. He is pretty much the complete striker and in a more powerful team I expect he could become an even bigger name. I hope he stays in England as I'd like to see him play more often than not, but the money will surely decide where he ends up.


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I see him as the perfect support striker for a number nine and he has been a great penalty taker for the Cherries. Losing him will be disappointing but I can't see how he can stay. Whether the mid-table teams like Everton or Newcastle can get a foot in to take Josh King I am not so certain. If Europe's elite are looking at him, he is likely to be playing Champions League football next season and I wish him the every best as he has been a great servant for AFCB.
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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Fraser and Wilson strike force to be kept together?
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Wednesday, 26 August 2020

Fraser and Wilson strike force to be kept together?

While Ryan Fraser has left Bournemouth already and had been expected to join Crystal Palace, the Sun has rumoured that Fraser might yet be picked up by West Ham, who are also looking to land Callum Wilson. The thought of repairing Fraser and Wilson is clearly seen as a positive for West Ham, but whether they could get Callum Wilson for the Sun's suggested £18m might be short of the mark.
Callum Wilson is expected to have different team-mates
soon but Fraser might be among his new colleagues.
Callum Wilson is expected to leave the Cherries and going to a London club would not mean such a major disruption for him and his family. West Ham are a good sized club and he would still be well seen if he played well there, which would help him in the England fold. He probably wouldn't mind joining up with Ryan Fraser again either.

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Whether the two players would hit it off though at West Ham, I am not so sure. Things worked well in 2018-19 but they had gone stale for a while at Bournemouth with the two players unable to create as many chances last season. I know that Fraser was clearly influenced by transfer talk, but I also think that both he and Callum played a fair few games and that burnout could also have been part of their problem.
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Getting the right price for Callum is what it is about for AFCB now. If Tottenham are said to be interested then I'd venture that Wilson would want to hold out for their offer and I don't suspect for Bournemouth it matters where he ends up, as long as they get a good fee for him. The Newcastle player and cash offer was intriguing but Bournemouth don't seem to be buying that one. 
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If the club can get over £20m for Callum then at least they would have recouped more than they shelled out for Dominic Solanke. While Callum hasn't played for England for a while, Bournemouth could perhaps force his price up to £25m as an international player. It's not going to be anything like the sums we had been talking about for Wilson about 12 months ago, but it is time to get the players that are looking to move out of the club and to concentrate on those that want to be there. 

 Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth defender may find Burnley hard to resist
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Tuesday, 25 August 2020

Bournemouth defender may find Burnley hard to resist

JT's comments that the club would not stop players wanting to leave may well have backfired, as more clubs see the Cherries as rich pickings for reinforcing their Premier League squads. The latest interest comes from Shaun Dyches' Burnley, who welcome JT's openness, and are now seeking to take Adam Smith to Turf Moor, according to the Mail Online.
Burnley show interest in Adam Smith.
I wouldn't say that Adam Smith had one of his best seasons in 2019-20, but his versatility was very much needed when Charlie Daniels was injured. Bournemouth seemed to have a good bit of strength in depth on the right side, when both Smith and Stacey are available. Now it looks like Jack Stacey might have pole position for the right-back spot in the Championship, if Burnley come in with a reasonable offer for Smudge.
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For Adam Smith it would probably be a good move to continue his Premier League career and to try something new. Whether Burnley would be his choice though is another matter. I hadn't expected interest to come in for Adam Smith, but it looks like any first team player in the Bournemouth squad is up for grabs at the moment.
At 29 Adam Smith still has a few good years left in him. He is under contract at AFCB for another year, so Bournemouth could make money on his sale which seems to be the common yardstick by which players are either staying or going at the moment. We may have seen Smith's best years though and to lose him would not be as bad as loosing Jack Stacey, so I suspect that if Burnley do make a bid it will be seriously considered.
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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Is Lerma too good for the Championship?
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Monday, 24 August 2020

Is Lerma too good for the Championship?

While there have been numerous rumours of bids coming in for Bournemouth midfielders, the noise around Jefferson Lerma is suspiciously quiet. Does this mean that no clubs fancy taking on the Colombian international with his heavy disciplinary record? Or should we not be worrying about this, and thanking our lucky stars if AFCB can hold on to Lerma in the Championship?
Lerma would be a powerful force in AFCB's central midfield in the Championship/
Personally, I don't think Lerma draws much attention to himself. While we know his merits as Bournemouth fans, he was perhaps less well tracked than others, when he was in the Premier League, and he could well go under the radar, if Bournemouth are to accept bids for other more well-known players.
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I don't think Lerma would have any problems in the Championship. He would like the physicality of it, and I expect he would be able to show that he is a level above it by finding more time on the ball than many of his opponents. Getting Lerma up for the challenge of the Championship would be a massive feather in JT's cap. A team can be built around hm and we could see more of a leadership role for Lerma, if he sees it his mission to help the club get back to the Premier League.
If offers did come in for Lerma, I expect they would be considered, but to keep him really would be a bonus if other midfielders like Philip Billing and Lewis Cook attract more attention.
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Sunday, 23 August 2020

Is it wise for AFCB to sell Lewis Cook?

Football Insider has claimed that Bournemouth have put a £15m price-tag on Lewis Cook as Leeds United are said to be interested in bringing him back to Elland Road. This would be a £9m profit for Bournemouth compared to what they paid for him, but would it be the right time to let Lewis Cook go out of the door at Dean Court?
Lewis Cook will surely be tempted to rejoin Leeds Utd.
I believe Lewis Cook would be the perfect English midfielder to help get Bournemouth into the play-off positions next season or even better. He has never let AFCB down and is tenacious in the tackle and insightful at finding through balls. For me, he'd be a player that fits the bill for making Bournemouth a class above many other Championship sides.

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The boot is on the other foot now though Leeds United have the financial clout to meet the asking price and Lewis Cook would surely enjoy a return to his previous club and to keep playing Premier League football.
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For Bournemouth's point of view, they ave to be careful who else leaves from central midfield. Andrew Surman has already been released and you have to worry about Lerma wanting away, while Billing and Gosling are perhaps the central midfielders who we might expect to be part of things at AFCB going forward although Aston Villa are thought to be interested in Philip Billing. S too lose Lewis Cook would leave a bit of a hole and I'd say £15m is not enough to put top clubs off picking him up. Lewis Cook was always under played I felt during Howe's reign and could easily want off himself.

 Of course, Bournemouth will have been impressed by what Nnamdi Ofoborh did at Wycombe Wanderes last season, and it could be in JT's mind to give him a run in the Championship. So perhaps the central midfield area is not looking so bad, especially if Lerma doesn't move. I think Bournemouth fans would be pleased to keep one of either Lerma or Lewis Cook. To lose Lerma, Billing and Cook would certainly be a major rebuild for AFCB.

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Saturday, 22 August 2020

Fixture excitement at the challenge ahead for AFCB

I was waiting with anticipation, not about the fixture release, when it came through, but for the reaction form Bournemouth fans. The mood was quite chirpy as for many they could see Bournemouth striding through some of the games, and for once we might even see some clean sheets. But the Championship is a long race and the first three fixtures look pretty tough to me.

A full fixture list ahead with or without supporters.
Playing Blackburn Rovers at home for the first game is a good way to judge what shape Bournemouth are in, with Blackburn Rovers finishing in a mid-way 11th position last season. A home game always gives your club a chance to make a good start and, with Middlesbrough away and Norwich City at home to follow, Bournemouth would put themselves in a very strong position, if they can beat that kind of quality in their first three games.

Easier said than done though. Watford and Derby will be big matches in October and November looks a particularly good month with some grudge matches against Reading and Nottingham Forest and a tough visit to Sheffield Wednesday. Whether fans are getting to games by this point we just don't know, but the December games are certainly ones that fans will want to enjoy with so many games. I am expecting Swansea away to be a hard match along with Preston at home, as both sides did well last season. Boxing Day should be fun with Millwall in attendance and Brentford, just before New Year, will be a great time to see their new stadium.

I am not sure how many will want to brave Stoke in January, but the crazy ones will take on the weather and I think January could be a crunch month with the quality of fixtures. Watford and Cardiff will be big matches to try and win at home in February and there are long journey's up north to Preston and Huddersfield in March. April looks like it could be a strong month for the Cherries as a the run-in goes and a finish at home to Stoke City could be a great way to go up. Let's think positively.

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