Eddie is focused on performance

Eddie is as clear and concise as ever in his post-match interviews with Kris Temple at BBC Radio Solent. I love the way that Kris humbly asks his questions and waits to see how Eddie bats them off with consummate skill and often a bit of wit and a glint in his eye. This week, after the Huddersfield game, came the question: "How much is this a marker today to the other teams in the Championship?" To which the reply from Eddie was, "I'm not bothered about the other teams in the Championship. We're pleased to have won by the scoreline we have. We are pleased to have won by the manner we have. What other people think of us, I just don't care."

Totally focused on the job at hand, Eddie speaks his mind and leaves you in no doubt of where he stands and where the team is in its performance. It's refreshing and no less than fans want to hear from a manager. Such words though are not just put to work on media journalists trying to get a piece of Eddie's thoughts, but it is also shared with the players and his staff who must find Eddie Howe a fantastic professional to work with. I can imagine what Mr Temple and others have going through their mind when they need to ask an awkward question or two, but Eddie has that sparkle about him that is infectious, even when he is quick to turn a question back at you.

Eddie Howe enjoys the first day win at Huddersfield.

I do wonder where he gets his inspiration from because he seems to be able to dip into the bucket and constantly come out with a refreshing attitude and great motivation. It is often said "In Eddie We Trust" and I can't think of a better slogan for the club at this present time, because he certainly leads and we follow.

The Championship is long and there will be many games that don't go AFCB's way while there will be plenty that hopefully will. Not getting carried away is simple for Eddie, because he has an awful lot to think about and every day brings up new challenges for him, as it does for every Championship manager. He'll no doubt be checking on any possible player injuries this week and working out the balance of the team for the next game for the first team in the Capital Cup as well as the Brentford game. But he'll also be aware that there is another three weeks in the transfer market and that the game never stands still. I am sure he believes he has the players that can deliver for this club now, but the Championship is a long race and he needs a sustained effort from his players to get AFCB into the best position possible to meet his high demands.  

Ahead of this week's Capital One games, Kyle Cotter takes a sneak preview at one of the ties of the 1st round as MK Dons take on AFC Wimbledon. There's no rivalry quite like this one -see Kyle's Cups.

Allsop likes the colour yellow

It has not escaped many fans or the manager's attention that Ryan Allsop has suddenly become a bit of a yellow card magnet. In the last few games he has rather pushed his luck with regard to time wasting, although commentators have suggested that he is coached in this respect by the chief time wasting master, Elliott Ward. 

While the young apprentice has not yet been able to evade the attention of referees, Elliott Ward has it off to a fine art. We know what is coming when he comes up to take a free kick now. It's several touches of the ball, a look up field, another check on the blades of grass supporting the ball, before causally coming up to the ball and kicking it all the way back to the keeper or asking someone else to come across to take the kick.

Allsop likes the colour yellow perhaps a bit too much.

Ryan is so funny when he attempts to take his time over his kicks and throws. He always gives off a feeling of calm and coolness in what he is doing any way, and when he slows down even more it is so obvious that he is trying to kill time. Willo on BBC Radio Solent asked: "I wonder if a keeper has ever been sent off for two yellows with his time wasting?" It would be a little harsh, but Ryan has been risking it a bit of late.

The fact that Eddie Howe has had a bit of a chuckle about it and it has not gone unnoticed will probably mean that Rockie does not use the tactic quite so much in the next few games. I have also been impressed with Ryan's quick feet as well. There have been a number of times where he has shown a clear pair of heels to forwards who ave been closing down on him when he has had the ball at his feet. It all shows to me that Ryan is a winner and that he is enjoying his football.

Ryan is not the biggest culprit of collecting yellow cards though for AFCB this season. Top of the list is Brett Pitman on three and Harry Arter is level with Ryan Allsop on two.

Bravo to our live blog match team

Hello.... Hello... your breaking up! .... I can't.... hear you.. Are you still there? Hello? Hello?  Where's the radio's match commentary gone?..... The signal keeps fading out!!!

Lost the live match day radio broadcast commentary again? Do not fear, we have a back up. In most, if not all, of the games last season we had the option, as in previous seasons, to check on the form and live goings on of AFCB and the players in the match day live blog on the official club website. I can't say that now and again there have not been hiccups on this system, but in the main the guys who work on reporting live on the blog do a fantastic job.

I can safely say that the lads who do the blog are very talented, because to type away while watching the game is no easy task. I imagine that one also monitors the incoming feeds from fans who log on to the blog and Twitter and Facebook comments that constantly come in. It's part of the match day that has really come alive in the past few years and which I really like.

As you know from Cherry Chimes we like to put up posts from excited fans and to share their reaction to news as soon as it happens. This is something that the Match Day blog is also able to do by immediately letting everyone know what other fans are thinking. It's this immediacy of the Match Day Blog that gives it an advantage, even over the radio where you often have to wait to half- or full-time before you often hear what other fans are thinking.

By the way, I also think that BBC Radio Solent do a great job as well. It is always entertaining to hear Willo's summaries on AFCB games when you have not been able to get to them. Sometimes though the radio commentary is delayed and falls behind play that you can see being text on the Live blog. In crucial games I find I veer towards the live blog and then wait for confirmation on the radio, while I'm also checking twitter and other websites that are giving live commentary. It's quite a task keeping up with play in this digital age, isn't it?

Well next season those bloggers, radio commentators and many of you fans I hope will be travelling to new grounds as AFCB begins its life in the Championship.

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