New formation gave AFCB added spark

Bournemouth attacked Arsenal with a formation that was a bit different from usual. We have seen the three at the back, but to play Ryan Fraser and Jordan Ibe to the sides of Callum Wilson was a bit of genius thinking that saw Bournemouth get the bast out of Ibe and Fraser.

Jordan Ibe after the win against Arsenal.

For once Callum Wilson didn't looked as isolated as he might against a big team like Arsenal. He had his hands full with the challenges he was getting from Arsenal's central defenders, but he was prepared to battle hard to win possession and bring others into play. The energy of Ibe in particular was great to see as he was prepared to attack on either side and it is becoming clear that Ibe is a player that is perhaps best when he is not boxed into one area of the pitch, but is allowed to create and pick up possession in more central positions. It only works if he doesn't give the ball away cheaply, but both he and Fraser worked hard when Arsenal did have the ball and the press was superbly employed form the front to unnerve Arsenal on several occasions.

It was this hustling of Arsenal's back line that got Bournemouth playing better. The game seems so much more easy when you are winning back possession quickly and the speed at which Arsenal defenders found themselves pressured on the ball was not something that Wengerl's players found easy to deal with.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

Whether this system is one that we see used again may depend on the personnel. What works for Ibe, Fraser and Wilson might not be so good for Stanislas and King and yet there is much for Howe to consider about this kind of three-pronged attack. What also helped was the play of Adam Smith who might well have run the most on the day, but his quick passes and movement were great for unlocking players and letting Bournemouth run at defenders.

It was noticeable that Bournemouth attacked very much up the wings and not through the middle of the pitch in the first half, and it must have been a plan that width was the best way to get at Arsenal. This formation made the most of that and it did help get the result in the second half.

Cherry Chimes' AskFans report on AFCB 2 v 1 Arsenal

Not everything is going Howe's way this summer

While Eddie Howe usually has a lot of optimism and encouragement to give others I sense a shade of worry to his voice this week and perhaps a feeling that he is getting supporters ready for some possible disappointments regarding players down the line. How far talks have already been progressing with some of the players is starting to surface. We know Darryl Flahavan has signed up for another year along with Ian Harte and many of the players are on long term contracts. But we also know that bigger clubs could be in for some of them at any time and it appears that the Cherries are bracing themselves for a series of possible bids from other teams for some of AFCB's best players.

A few headaches are mounting for Eddie. 

In previous seasons it would probably have been greeted with some enthusiasm for a cash stretched club but when you are trying to build the team it is frustrating and disappointing to see what you were building being slowly taken apart. I already sense that the loss of Grabban is being felt more than was first signalled by the club mainly because signings like Callum Wilson are proving far more difficult to land than might have been expected. If the club loses Steve Cook and Eunan O'Kane as well then we are into a rebuilding project.

With Wolves sniffing around Cook it is important
 the Cherries offer him a salary to keep him at the club if Howe believes
he is the best man for the team at centre back. 

While some may worry about those potentially favourable for a move away it is noticeable that no other signings have followed Dan Gosling yet as we move ever closer to July and the pre-season friendlies. Not everything is perhaps going the Cherries way off the pitch and turning the transfer window into a successful summer is going to need lots of hard work.    

The fixture list posted yesterday was another difficult hand played out to AFCB with just about the toughest August line up they could have imagined. "We are playing a number of fancied teams in the opening month with three long trips in there as well," said Eddie Howe. Some good news would be nice to hear soon. 

All quiet regarding Eunan at the moment, but let's not talk about him too much.

It's crunch time tonight as England take on Uruguay. World Cup Chimes warms up by assessing what Roy will do with Wayne Roonie. If you are confident of an England win then check out the odds at FreeBetNegotiator. 

Cherries shadowed for second summer signing

The cat is out of the bag as AFCB are reported by Sky sports and other news sources to have made a bid for Coventry City's Callum Wilson that was rejected. Whether they move again with an improved offer or switch to another target, there is definitely a feeling that the transfer market is starting to hot up for the Championship clubs. We don't know how strong Bournemouth's bid was but a seven figure sum would be one of the largest bids that the seaside club has ever made. While the foreign signings of Tokelo Rantie and Mohamed Coulibaly may not have made as big an impact as Eddie Howe might have wanted last season, it looks like the club's next aim is to sign a young player who is familiar with the English leagues.

Callum Wilson is perhaps not the most experienced of strikers that Howe could have chosen to pursue, but if he can get a young striker he may be easier to teach new things to and will be less set in his ways. Still Eddie will also know that you can have difficult young players who believe they already have what it takes and don't listen to improve. With Nottingham Forest and Wolves also said to be after the striker though and Coventry reluctant to sell, Callum Wilson may be a target that is out of reach.

The aspect that I would like to know is how many potential targets could AFCB be after? If they switch to another option and get blown out again will it be a major set-back? Other teams will be watching AFCB and shadowing their moves. The market is not so big as some may like and competition for new stars is always a difficult game to win. Once bids are made that become public knowledge, the possibility of having a player pinched from under our noses raises its head. Nottingham Forest have been quick to pick up Matt Fryatt ex-Hull City without hardly a whisper, while Birmingham have needed to move quickly with so many loan players last season and Stephen Gleeson will be their third signing.

Eddie Howe has asked for patience though and season ticket holders yet to renew will be hoping that there is some good news coming before the end of the month. It's okay to move quickly but getting the right players is even more important. UTCIAD!

World Cup Fantasy LeagueThere is still time to joining the World Cup Fantasy Mini League I have set up on McDonald's FIFA World Cup fantasy League. It is free to play and you can make your own World Cup avatar. The league is called Chimes Fans which you can join through the search facility after you have built your squad. The website is found on this link - World Cup Fantasy League. 

Plan ahead for World Cup viewing
World Cup fever is starting to set in now but are you fully prepared? If you are not sure where to go to see the game why not go down to De Vere's Urban Village Hotel in Bournemouth? The sponsors of Cherry Chimes have some World Cup big carnival days that they'd like to share with you, starting off this a special event for the World Cup opener.

First Carnival Day
Thursday 12th June, First game of the tournament.

Brazil V Croatia
- Live DJ, Brazilian Carnival Dancers & children’s face painting.
- Entertainment commencing from 18.00, kick off at 21.00

Food service extension
- The Victory will be serving food until 22.00 for the entire duration of the world cup with the exception of England’s first game (Saturday 14th June) which will be until 23.00.

Download the complete game planner for the Victory pub and kitchen.

Ward endeared himself to the fans last season

Elliott Ward may not be the first AFCB player you think of when looking back on the club's return to the Championship. That is perhaps a little unfair because he more than most bought into the Eddie Howe dream and was free to pick and chose which Championship he wanted to go out on loan to. More than that he signed up for a few more years, because he knew he was able to be part of something special at Dean Court.

Ward had a strong season at AFCB.

Injuries slowed him down a little though.

At first I used to see Elliott as a player that maybe was a bit too relaxed when on the ball and not always looking like he was busting a gut to be first to the ball, but as I have watch and looked on with greater understanding I have seen that there is a lot to his game that almost goes unnoticed. He'll win more than his fair share of headers and his long stride is deceptively quicker then you might think. Above all though it's his reading of the game that gets him out of trouble and it's a quality that top players simply have. 

Elliott won't be back until mid-July.

Even more surprising was when Eddie Howe asked him in certain matches to press forward and try and make a nuisance of himself up front. He did fantastically well at Middlesbrough to fashion the equaliser and he always seems to have fun when can add to the attack. He shouldn't be able to beat a few players in the box, but he has it in his locker as they say. To see Elliott especially look to have time on the ball in the opposition's box is something that you can only applaud. Let's hope we see a bit more of it from time to time next season. From the Echo's report he is said to be out until mid July following the operation he has had on a knee that caused him problems after hitting an advertising hoarding against Leicester City at home.

Breaking news
Meanwhile, the Cherries are said to have made a bid for Callum Wilson at Coventry city as a replacement for Lewis Grabban and Coventry are believed to have rejected the bid, according to the Vitals site. To learn more about Callum Wilson sign up for Cherry Chimes newsletter here.

Subscribe to Cherry Chimes' Newsletter - includes Callum Wilson review

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

• html
• text

Finally, it was stormy stuff for England in Miami against Honduras and not just the weather - see World Cup Chimes for the reaction. All Departments has also released a podcast with former AFCB chairman Trevor Watkins - see All Departments. 

Is Maxim Demin getting serious on a Premiership assault?

There are rumours of AFCB being interested in Georgios Samaras the Greek international and Celtic striker who used to play for Man City. While such a player would add far more aggression to the Cherries front line, I don't see him as anything like a like-for-like striker for the possibly out-going Lewis Grabban. Samaras is strong in the air at 6ft 4in and uses his power and weight with great strength to dominate defences. Such a front man would make a pretty fearsome strike force with Yann Kermorgant and really would make Championship club sit up and take notice of what AFC Bournemouth are doing.

The Greek star has been at Celtic for six years now and he just might be up for a new challenge. How far Maxim Demin is wiling to flash the cash is not clear but such a player would command a large salary having been at the top tier of British football. Samaras certainly has experience and that know how could be crucial in getting AFCB further up the table. With big earners set to come to the club one does speculate how much of a gamble is being taken to reach the Premiership? One of my friends is a Plymouth fan and he has often warned me to enjoy the good times but be worried of the club seems to be spending beyond its means. Argyle now languish in league Two with many of their former players now littering the Premiership and Championship, while they club they used to play for is looking for funds to improve Home Park.

Looking at the top six that made the Championship play-offs this season though, only Derby and Burnley could be said not to have a spattering of big named former Premiership stars in their line ups. With the signing of Dan Gosling already it indicates to me that Maxim Demin could be getting serious about his assault on the Premiership. The likelihood of potential moves for Samaros or Coventry's Callum Wilson are far from clear though and we still don't even know if Lewis Grabban will make personal terms with Cardiff City yet. Mind you, Middlesbrough or Brighton, to name two other interested parties, will probably come in with offers if Lewis does turn Cardiff down.