The Cherries could not contain Norwich

There is no shame in losing to a good side and Norwich beat AFCB comprehensively on Saturday. For the first time this season the Cherries were outplayed and could not hold back the tide of energy from Norwich's midfield runners. The Cherries could not get on the font foot and when they have to sit back and contain sides they look as comfortable. Eddie will be looking for some comforts from the match, but he'll also want to get the team on the practise ground and iron out some of the mistakes that have been creeping into the Cherries general play.



A busy repair week ahead for Eddie Howe.

Some of the disappointment of the defeat for Howe will be that his side could not get the better of a side that are perhaps in a similar position having just been promoted. Norwich would have felt pressure too having not won at home before this game, but there was no sign of that. While the Cherries have gone to Anfield and Upton park an looked comfortable they did not seem as settled and the disruption to the left side of the team was perhaps a weakness. Certainly Norwich got in on the left side for that first goal. 

Another area where there appears to be problems is in central midfield where the balance of fast passing and powerful shooting is not quite evident. It was clear that Howe was looking to shore things up a bit by bringing Dan Gosling on when the Cherries had suffered falling a third goal behind. 

For once Tommy Elphick also looked vulnerable with the pace of Cameron Jerome and his movement leaving Tommy chasing at times. It's that sharpness of not quite being quickest to the ball that Howe has to try and get back into the team now. The snap was not there and the fact that AFCB have been averaging conceding more than two goals a game is one stat that they have to change as it is asking a lot for the forwards to score three and four goals every game to get a win.

This afternoon we'll hear about AFCB fan Tim Aston's trip to Carrow Road.

My friend Michale Dunne also has his latest All Departments' podcast out reviewing the 3-1 defat against Norwich in his usual detailed way. Just visit All Departments to listen in.

Cherries second best as Norwich ease to 3-1 home win

Match Description

Norwich City 3 v 1 AFCB

12 September 2015

Attendance 27,018

The prospect of going to Carrow Road was seen as perhaps a good chance to see if the Cherries had progressed since coming up to the Premier League. Eddie Howe may be thinking that he is not sure if they have made big strides on this outing's result for while the Cherries contested the game well they could not respond when they went behind and in the second half the power of Norwich's running down the middle with Howson and Hoolahan opened AFCB up rather too often while the defence arguably backed off too often and paid the price. At 2-0 down it was brave to change to a back three but there was not stability and Norwich could have scored more than the three that they did. At least a consolation goal from Steve Cook was met with a cheer. The real worry is that AFCB have to find a way of limiting that goal against column.#

AFCB made three changes with Adam Smith replacing Charlie Daniels, Junior Stanislas made his first Premier League start for the Cherries and Josh King came back into the side to replace Lee Tomlin while new signing, Glenn Murray was on the bench. Meanwhile, Matt Jarvis made his Norwich debut and Wisdom replaced the suspended Whittaker.

Jason Tindall gives the AFCB team news.

Match description as it happened

AFCB looked resplendent in their pink kit. Elphick misjudges the bounce of the ball  early on and Norwich are first on the attack. Adam Smith gets a touch and will be tested today being up against Nathan Redmond. Josh King gives away the first foul on Tettey.

The Cherries are soaking up the pressure and get a free kick themselves as Wilson goes down on half way. Wilson pressurised Martin into giving away a corner. The referee is being picky over the placement of the ball but Norwich are given a free kick anyway. Smith now down the left finds King, but the offside flag goes up as Ritchie shoots. Wilson was coming back from an offside position.

Tettey wins another free kick and Norwich are playing out from the back. Cook puts the ball out for a throw. Hoolahan sneaks in down the right side of the box but the ball runs out for a goal kick. Nine minutes have gone and it's not really settled down yet. 

Cameron Jerome wins a corner off of Steve Cook. Wilson and Howson get a talking to and the corner comes in and Kings gets it away. Bassong and then Tettey has a go but it's well over. Boruc makes a poor goal kick.

Smith now advancing and O'Kane , Stanislas and Elphick to Francis but Jarvis cuts the ball out and has his cross blocked. Martin on the ball. But Stanislas wins it. Wilson and Surman on the left.  back to O'Kane and Francis on the right but Ruddy comes for the cross.  Francis now does some defensive work. Brady puts in a good cross but Boruc takes it comfortably.

17 minutes have passed. Redmond is chased out by Francis.  Stanislas releases Wilson but Ruddy is there first. Norwich certainly have had more of the possession so far. Brady and Jarvis but Francis wins the ball in the box. Howson and Jarvis now. Hoolahan, Wisdom and Redmond. Norwich are playing across AFCB's back line. Tettey is given a yellow card though for taking out Josh King.

Francis on the right but Ruddy beats Wilson to the ball.Elphick does some tidying up. It's Norwich pressing again with Howson and Jerome, but the whistle has gone. AFCB win a free kick. Francis comes in side and Wilson gets a shot off that Ruddy takes high up. Ritchie now and Francis and Francis collects a card for a foul on Jarvis who has been the Canaries best player. 23 minutes gone now.

Smith wins a free kick now. It's already getting niggley and Smith is booked for his reaction to Hoolahan's dive. Jarvis on the left crosses but Boruc is there. The quality of the crossing for both teams is lacking at the moment. Stanislas finds Ritchie. Elphick and Francis comes forward. O'Kane finds King but the ball runs out of play - sloppy from King.

 Cook plays the ball up, Surman and Wilson. Surman again finds Wilson and back to Cook. AFCB enjoying some possession. Francis wins a throw. Ritchie crosses. King and Stanislas!! Brady comes in with a saving tackle. Corner on 29 minutes.

Hoolahan picks up a yellow now for a deliberate hand ball. The free kick is wide on the left and it's forced out to Cook and nothing comes of his pass. Norwich on the right now. Boruc makes a clearance. Hoolahan into Jerome and he shoots but hits the side netting. Elphick was doing the covering - that was close!

No shots on target so far for the keepers to have to worry about. Srman in the middle is finding more space now. Ritchie and O'Kane, Cook and Elphick up to Francis. Ritche is blocked. Surman to Stanislas. Norwich are defending well. Elphick and Cook have the ball. Francis to Surman and Wilson is away on the right but his cut back to Ritchie is not controlled. Howson wide on the right to Redmond Hoolahan and Jerome puts Norwich ahead 1-0! Jerome beat Elphick on the six yard line on 36 minutes.

Elphick to Francis and Ritchie on the right. Free kick to AFC after a late challenge by Brady. O'Kane and the Cherries have a throw. Goal kick to Norwich. Norwich have a bit more confidence now. Martina and Wisdom his pass breaks down.  Jerome and Hoolahan. Surman now to Smith. Thrown in.

Tettey comes away with the ball. Bassong back to Ruddy. Howson and Brady to Jarvis on the left. Hoolahan inside and Howson but the ball is out for a goal kick. Wilson now finds Stanislas. Francis into Ritchie and O'Kane over to Cook. King loses out to Brady. Two minutes of extra time. AFCB have a free kick and Elphick and Cook come up Corner now to the Cherries. Off the post - Cook then Wilson with the header! 1-0 Half time.

Second Half
No changes at half time. AFCB kick off. Jerome on the break, but Boruc is out. O'Kane and Stanislas. Ritchie and Stanislas puts it wide. Howson and Hoolahan. Jerome fires from outside the box but it's wide. Stanislas loses the ball. Jarvis puts a ball across the area but no one reacts. Josh King is offside.

Wisdom and Redmond shoots wide. Wes Hoolahan now down the middle and as AFCB back off Hoolahan shoots and makes it 2-0! 52 minutes gone. Elphick gave too much space there.

Stanials on the left. Smith, Elphick and Francis.  A break Hoolahan and Redmond, Jarvis and Brady. A wild challenge by Francis and gets away with a reckless challenge on Jarvis, 54 minutes gone. Francis definitely lucky to still be on the pitch.

Ritchie loses the ball. Howson through the middle. Wisdom and Jerome's on the post but Elphick does enough and it's a corner. AFCB bring on Kermorgant and Murray and take off Stanislas and King on 57 minutes. Murray is wearing No27.

Hoolahan is causing all kinds of problems. Smith and Francis come forward, but Norwich are on the counter and Ritchie gets a card for taking down Redmond. Martin tries to get on the end of the kick but it goes past the post.

The Cherries are now playing three at the back - Francis, Elphick and Cook. Redmond and Tettey into Wisdom and  Redmond with Howson coming in - corner.That came off Francis with Boruc stranded. Howson and Brady. Redmond and Brady shoots and hits the bottom of the post! Norwich are well in control.

Kermorgant and Murray have hardly seen the ball since coming on Ola football now from Norwich on 66 minutes. O'kane is dispossessed by Howson and Jarvis makes it 3-0 on 67 minutes. Jarvis cut back inside Cook and buried his shot in the corner.

Howson again in the middle. AFCB are looking to bring on a third sub. It's been a long time since we have seen the Cherries outplayed like this. Wilson now and Basong clears the danger. Gosling replaces O'Kane on 72 minutes. AFCB have chased the game but it has not worked out for them.

Hoolahan is replaced by Dorrans on 73 minutes and Jarvis comes off to let Olsson on the pitch. Ruddy makes a big clearance.Boruc lofts the ball forward. Gosling and Ritchie. Goal kick to Norwich. 

Jerome takes on Elphick and the defender wins. Ritchie in field to Cook and Francis. Smith goes down but no foul. Jerome and Redmond in support but Cook gets there. Tettey and Dorrans. Francis now. Surman up to Wilson and wide to Smith. Kermorgant to Francis and Ritchie recovers the ball and wins a corner.

Goal - Steve Cook thunders a header in on 81 minutes. Cook scored from around the penalty spot with the header. Norwich make a sub bringing on Mbokani.  Redmond and Mbokani has a shot blocked. 

Cook over to Francis. Ritchie wins a throw. Ritchie to Gosling and Cook long to Smith. AFCB playing it around now. Redmond and Howson. Brady again and Redmond and Mbokani is beaten to the shot with Boruc out. Elphick is slow to get up.

Wilson on the run just sees the ball out pace him. AFCB have a free kick. Murray heads over. Ritchie to Elphick. Free kick against Smith. Goal kick to AFCB. Kermorgant loses a boot but seems okay. Francis and Elphick. Four minutes of extra time.

Francis pushes Mbokani. Brady has a go from an acute angle but Boruc is alert. Corner to Norwich. Ritchie clears. Ritchie on the left loses the ball to Wisdom. the full time whistle goes 3-1 to Norwich.

Summary
Norwich were good value for their win. The Cherries have some work to do at the back and will want to try and find Wilson a bit more often than they did in this match. there was not a massive gulf between the teams but the best team on the day certainly won. Francis also will be told that he could easily have left the Cherries on 10 men so there are some lessons to take on board after this result.

Teams
Norwich: Ruddy; Wisdom, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Jarvis, Hoolahan, Jerome.

Norwich Subs: Rudd, Mbokani, Dorrans, Lafferty, Olsson, R Bennett, O'Neil.

Cherries: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Smith, Ritchie, O'Kane, Surman, Stanislas, King, Wilson.

AFCB Subs: Federici, Distin, Bennett, Gosling, Pugh, Murray, Kermorgant.

Will Eddie make changes for Rotherham match?

The players may have been on the wrong side of a few decisions against Norwich, but they did not quite play to the level Eddie Howe knows they can. That may mean that a couple of changes are made with a view to finding a stronger cutting-edge and more positivity to the passing game that has served them so well.

Ryan Fraser will be hoping to get some game time.

Playing a couple of the players that did so well in the FA Cup against Rotherham may not be such a bad move as it will not be great for Rotherham players to see those who beat them so well only a few weeks ago. That may mean a calling for Yann Kermorgant, Junior Stanislas or Ryan Fraser if Eddie decides to go that way. He will also be looking at the match against Leeds on 20 January and be thinking of what players might be available for the Aston Villa match only five days later.

I know that Eddie Howe said there were things that he did feel the team could do better when considering the Norwich goals, but it is hard to fault an individual for the way in which the goals went in. Cook was not in a position to do much when the the ball dropped back to Cameron Jerome for the winning goal and Artur Boruc was not far away from keeping the shot out. It is perhaps more likely that the front players and midfield will have been watched most closely this week in training, as Eddie Howe will want to see the number of crosses going back up and players must start to get on the end of them better than last weekend.

Yann at Dean Court last weekend.

Personally I think it is always good to bring in an energetic and young player when the team needs a lift and for me that is Ryan Fraser. Whether Eddie thinks similarly we will find out shortly, but I will be slightly surprised for once  if Eddie keeps exactly to the same team that played Norwich. 

Well done to Harry Arter who signed a new 3.5 year deal today with AFCB. In Rotherham news, the Millers have signed Crystal Palace defender Zeki Fryers who is likely to go straight into Saturday's squad against AFCB.

Not a lot wrong with the Cherries

In the last few games AFCB had been able to keep the opposition well away from the Cherries goal and had not seen a shot on target against Artur Boruc. While Norwich did not manage much better, they scored two and had three shots on target during the match.

AFCB players are still keeping chances against them down to a minimum.

Even when Norwich did score, the first goal they had was hotly disputed and on another day the match officials might have seen the arm to the ball and have ruled the goal out. Apart from that chance though it was not often that Norwich got into Bournemouth's box and troubled Artur Boruc or made him make a save. The chance created by Cameron Jerome in the first half, when he tricked his way into the box and shot at the near post, and Boruc pulled off a low save with his legs, was perhaps the one moment when I thought we've been undone here at the back.

The second goal that Norwich scored was right out of the blue. AFCB have had a few wonder strikes themselves this season, but Jerome's strike was just an instance of magic for the Canaries. Having seen the ball fall down from Cook's attempted intervention, that touched his arm, I half wonder if that gave Jerome the time to get his shot away as the players almost expected a free kick could be given. In the event, the advantage was all with Norwich and AFCB paid for not doing enough when they had the game in the balance at 1-1 and a real chance against 10-men.

That AFCB did not find the pass to unlock the 10-men of Norwich in the last half hour is the problem that Eddie Howe may look at in training. Usually the team is good at making the ball work hard when the opposition is down in  number, but it just didn't happen for the Cherries in this match. If AFCB can keep opposition teams to long range shots though and keep the shots on target against down, they will surely win more of these kind of encounters than they lose going forward.

Jerome's special strike silences Cherries 1-2 (videos)

Match report

AFCB 1 v 2 Norwich City

Attendance: 11, 318

10 January 2014

AFCB v Norwich: the captains.

Soak up the atmosphere as the players get ready to start the game.

AFCB's unbeaten league run had to come to an end at some point. It was a special Carmeron Jerome finish from outside the box that landed only AFCB's third home defeat of the season. Up until that moment, in the 80th minute, it appeared that a draw was going to be hard earned for the Cherries who had gone ahead through a Matt Ritchie strike in the first half and had seen their lead wiped out by Gary Hooper's smashed in equaliser in the first half, following a corner with what seemed a clear handball by Michael Turner to Harry Arter and others in the AFCB side that was not seen by the match officials. Even when Norwich were reduced to 10 players for a sliding foul by Johnny Howson on Yann Kermorgant, Camerone Jerome showed just why he is a highly rated striker with a finish that deserved to win a game. It was just a shame for the Cherries that could not find an answer to break down the Canaries after they had such an opportunity to play against 10 men for half an hour.

A cold windy day, but AFCB look to put on a performance at home.

Norwich City prepare for kick off.

More photos can be viewed on Match Day Gallery.

The team Eddie Howe picked only saw two changes from the previous league match at Millwall with Brett Pitman and Marc Pugh returning to the side. Yann Kermorgant was among the substitutes and wore a black armband in respect to the fallen fellow French citizens who lost their lives from terrorist attacks in the week.

On Norwich's bench sat Lewis Grabban who was destined not to make an appearance on the pitch on the day and Mike Phelan and Gary Holt were marshaling the side until the second half when Alex Neil, the new manager, could be seen willing his side on in the dugout for the victory.

Norwich were keen to start well and played with lots of spirit right from the start. Their five-man midfield stifled any control that the Cherries might have tried to get and Alexander Tetty, Gary Hooper and Bradley Johnson were fierce in the tackle and set the tone for the other Norwich players to follow. Bradley Johnson had the first real attempt when he headed a cross from Alexander Tetty over the bar. Norwich were playing a high line and pressing well, but the Cherries looked dangerous on the break with Charlie Daniels always trying to find Callum Wilson in the clear.

However, it was Norwich that were in a hurry to get things moving and after seven minutes Alexander Tetty had a shot deflected for a corner. While Ritchie cleared the ball from the corner Arter played a good ball through to Wilson who shot wide on 10 minutes

Norwich were preventing Francis from getting on his usual runs and Johnson, Turner and Hooper were cutting down space all the time. Martin Olsson was then shown a yellow card for a foul on Harry Arter. Bournemouth had not really created much up until this time when some possession by Arter and Ritchie progressed to Francis and Elphick, before Surman and Arter got on the ball to pick out Pugh on the left wing and his cross was just a shade too high for Pitman who was under pressure, but fell beautifully into the running path of Matt Ritchie who met the cross with a deadly finish that gave John Ruddy no chance in the Norwich goal. It was normal service resumed - the Cherries were one up with 18 minutes on the clock!

Norwich replied with a lot of possession around AFCB's box but Tommy Elphick and others were getting their blocks in and fending off immediate threats. Andrew Surman was having the odd misplaced pass in midfield, but Pugh was beginning to get more on the ball and he had a snap volley that went just over on 24 minutes.

Bournemouth fans chanted "Callum Wilson, he's better than you!" while Lewis Grabban warmed up on the touch line and as well as receiving some initial boos, AFCB fans also clapped the former Bournemouth star. The passing on the field was not really accurate or coming alive at this stage with over hit balls and lots of quick turnovers in possession. Norwich made a good chance though on the half hour when Cameron Jerome used a quick turn in the box, beating Francis and Artur Boruc had to be astute to save the ball with his legs low down for a corner. Jerome then chested a ball down to Johnny Howson who blazed over from close range. Norwich were getting closer!

AFCB replied with a shot from Marc Pugh but Ruddy was not being tested that much. On 35 minutes, Norwich were back in Bournemouth's half and having won two corners the second one, following Jerome's header, landed in the six yard box and the AFCB players seemed to stop expecting the assistant referee and referee to recognise a handball in the penalty area by a Norwich player, but no whistle or flag came and Gary Hooper pounced to equalise from close in. While Harry Arter led the protests their was no change of heart from the officials.

The period from then up to half time saw AFCB trying to regain control. Surman and Arter were feeding Ritchie and Pugh but the solid shape of Norwich was proving very difficult to get around. Turner and Howson were chief tormentors, fouling when they had to if it meant stopping AFCB from finding their rhythm. It was all very effective. Marc Pugh did venture into the box at one point but stumbled rather than shot the ball straight to John Ruddy. So it was all even at 1-1 at half time.

Jamie and Keith give their view pre-match as Norwich fans.

AFCB subs at half time.

The second half is underway.

Second half
We all hoped that Eddie Howe would work out a way of getting more quality crosses into the box in the second half and AFCB came out with much more intent. Russell Martin was kept busy getting in last gasp tackles against Wilson and Pugh. Pugh won a corner that saw Martin, Wilson and Ruddy contest the ball and Martin went down injured. AFCB were starting to find some joy with stopping Norwich from playing out and Pitman hit a well struck shot right at Ruddy from outside the box.

On the break a frustrated Jerome kicked the ball into the Ted MacDougall stand after being flagged offside and collected a yellow card. While Daniels was putting crosses in for AFCB it was the old problem occurring of nobody there running on to it in the box and the cries for Yann Kermorgant to come on were already getting stronger.

Norwich made a change with Steven Whittaker being replaced by Ryan Bennett on the hour and AFCB fan's chants were repaid a minute later with Yann Kermorgant coming on for Brett Pitman. Matt Ritchie was next to get a yellow card, but it was not a game changer like Johnny Howson's late lunge on Yann Kermorgant on half way that was given a straight red on 64 minutes.

If that was not bad enough for Norwich, Ryan Bennett pulled up holding his left thigh after running after Callum Wilson on the left wing. Bennett could not carry on and after quite a confusion with the numbers, eventually he was replaced by Gary O'Neil. AFCB kept the pressure up with a Francis cross that Tetty almost sliced into his own net, but managed to see it go out for a corner. Wilson did his best to get in then but Ruddy made a good save with his legs.

Even while the corners added pressure, the passing in the final third was not sharp enough from the Cherries with Francis putting his cross straight out from a good position. On 75 minutes Ritchie got hold of the ball on the right and drove his long range shot just wide of the right post. The fact that AFCB's players were not all on the same wavelength was clearly shown when Yann Kermorgant played a simply pass square to Andrew Surman, but the midfielder did not even move towards the ball and was suddenly swamped by Norwich shirts. A cross then found Jerome in space and while he was a little way out he shot well if over the bar as a warning!

Norwich then made their last sub as Nathan Redmond was replaced by Kyle Lafferty on 78 minutes. Ritchie saw another of his shots go wide, but Cook found himself battling with Michael turner as Norwich pushed up the field. Then in a moment of brilliance, Cameron Jerome fed off the loose ball to turn and smash in a wonder goal from 25 yards with Artur Boruc getting a hand to the ball, but not enough to keep it out of the top left corner! 

There were 10 minutes left and Eddie Howe immediately brought on Ryan Fraser for Marc Pugh. With Ruddy making the most of his goal kicks and watching the time waste away AFCB fans did not have much hope of a rescue act. While Tommy Elphick was ever more present in the Norwich box he could not land a clean header on goal and the final card was to bring on Dan Gosling for Andrew Surman with just five minutes to go. While Arter was still forcing a corner with a deflected shot, Norwich dealt with that easily enough. A late yellow card for Steve Cook was just added annoyance for AFCB fans.

Five minutes of extra time flew by with only a corner to Bournemouth really creating any chance of a great escape. It was not to be and the 14 game unbeaten league run had come to an end!

Disappointment for the Cherries.

The Norwich game was always going to be a hard test.

Summary
This was a typical, hard fought, Championship game with not much to choose between the sides. Norwich came out with the right attitude from the start and made it into a game where they were going to be right in the Bournemouth player's faces. They did not run out of steam either and had periods when they bossed the midfield and tempo of the game. It was enough to knock AFCB off of their stride and the sending off did not make things any easier for the Cherries for once. I would say it was a point lost for AFCB, but the three points certainly  gained by Norwich who will see them try and use this result as a new platform from which to make a second half charge up the table.

For AFCB, the match next weekend at Rotherham now becomes all about getting back to winning ways and collecting three points, as the Norwich game needs to be put out of their minds quickly. It may also now give Eddie Howe the opportunity to make a couple of changes to the team and see who is worth a few more minutes on the pitch.

Norwich fans enjoy their win.

AFCB

Boruc, Francis, Elphick,Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman (Gosling 85), Pugh (Fraser 81), Pitman (Kermorgant 61), Wilson

AFCB Substitutes
Camp, Gosling, Smith, Kermorgant, Stanislas, Fraser, O'Kane

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 5, Francis 6, Elphick 5, Cook 6, Daniels 6, Ritchie 8, Arter 5, Surman 5, Pugh 6, Pitman 5, Wilson 6

Norwich
Ruddy, Whittaker (R Bennett 60), Martin, Turner, Olsson, Tettey, Redmond (Lafferty 79), Johnson, Howson, Jerome, Hooper

Norwich Subs
Grabban, Lafferty, Hoolahan, Murphy, R Bennett (O'Neil 67), Rudd, O'Neil

Referee: Chris Foy 3/10 - many will feel he got the big decisions wrong. He'll probably say he got them right!

Norwich could fall further behind the Cherries

The pre-season favourites will visit Dean Court this weekend hoping to claw back some of their early-season form when bookies were in no doubt that they would be the team to beat in the Championship. The up and down form of the Canaries though has left them sitting just outside the play-off places in January and they face no easy task against a confident Cherries side that are revelling in being at the top of the league.

Norwich have seen Neil Adams resign on Monday following his side's cup exit to Preston North End and a run of form that has not been play-off level in way of a points return. That means Mike Phelan is expected to be be caretaker boss for the Canaries visit to Dean Court, while Alex Neil the former Hamilton Academicals' manager looks set to become the Canaries next full time manager. While that means the Norwich players will be told it's a new start, they could start to wonder what is happening with their season if they get a severe beating by the in-form Cherries.

Norwich are already 11 points behind the Cherries and have not exactly set the division alight with their away from of late winning just one of their last five matches. They have scored though in four of those games and they have plenty of options up front with Cameron Jerome, Bradley Johnson (shortlisted for player of the month) and our old favourite Lewis Grabban among the goals this season for the Canaries. I also like Nathan Redmond who came to Norwich from Birmingham a couple of seasons ago, but he has not really taken his game on that much in front of goal. Don't think that Norwich will be a push over though, they have drawn away at Derby in the last month and have handed out a 6-1 pasting to Millwall and 5-0 thumping to Huddersfield at home.

For all Norwich's quality though they are inconsistent and AFCB have been punishing teams that don't create enough chances against them. This match should have a super charged atmosphere as there are some big names in the Norwich team and the return of Lewis Grabban will have many fans eager to see this game. A win for the Cherries would underline that they are the strongest Championship team at the moment for me, and with Ipswich and Derby playing each other it could be an excellent opportunity for the Cherries to extend their lead at the top. 

Norwich Away Form
LLWDL

AFCB Home Form

WDDWW

Finally, congratulations to Eddie Howe for winning another manager of the month award.