Rival Lines: "Wilf Zaha is not the finished article," says Eagles Beak

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Crystal Palace v AFCB
Blogger Interview: The Eagles Beak
12 May 2019
Twitter: @TheEaglesBeak

CC: This week I talked to Crystal Palace fan Jay at the Eagles Beak. Crystal Palace are one of those teams that trundle along and get the odd victory against the top sic but don't necessarily hit top form for long pars of the season - or at leas that is how it looked to me this season. What needs to happen to see a change in that? Do they need to sell Wilfred Zaha or are Palace doing just fine?

 CC: How satisfied are you with Palace's season?

TEB: With a highest points score within our grasp having already secured a 7th successive season in the Premier League (a record for the club), we should be pretty pleased. The sour point is the home form which has been poor, but thankfully we have been fantastic away from Selhurst. There was also plenty of disappointment at losing out in the League Cup quarter finals to lower league opposition and of course the FA Cup quarter final, but I'm pretty sure most fans will look back and think, that wasn't a bad season in the slightest. There is just some frustration at the quality within our squad should be pushing on having been in the Premier League for as long as we have, but I really think you have to be careful what you wish for in this game.

CC: Why do you think Palace tend to get off to slow starts?

TEB: I wish we knew! Last season was quite different with all the turmoil of an early change of manager, this one was marginally better but it dropped off quite quickly. It is so difficult to put your finger on, perhaps the way the fixtures worked out this past couple of season led to dips in form. If we could have managed a slightly better home form we'd have been okay, but hey, it has worked out just fine in the end.

CC:  Would the money for Zaha be a chance to build a better side or is it more important to keep him?

TEB: Keep him - without question. He is still not the finished article, we see frustrations with him but he is a player that can do things with a football not many are able. He is arguably one of the best players outside the top six and it will be a long summer of rumours. The money we get for him, should he go, will not be enough to replace him. In fact, it will be difficult to imagine a Palace side without him. The good news is, Roy Hodgson has come out and said he is looking forward to working with him for another couple years, so there is hope, but I had prepped myself as this being his final season with us. Wilf is such a talent, I would not begrudge him a move for a shot at the big time.

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CC: Which was Palace's best game of the season for you?

TEB: Manchester City at the Etihad. There was not one fan, pundit or journalist that gave us a hope, but we put in a stunning performance to become the only team to win against the reigning champions in their own back yard. Not just that, but to score the goal of the season in that win just put the icing on the cake. What a hit by Andros! Lost count how many times I have watched that - never gets boring.

CC: Were you happy enough with what the team did in the Cup competitions?

TEB: Reaching the quarter-final stage of both competitions is a pretty decent showing, but there was plenty of disappointment at both those losses. Both Boro and Watford deserved their wins, but we did not perform in either game and it was a case of what if on both occasions.

CC: This last game will decide who finishes higher between the two teams. Do you consider AFCB as a similar side in terms of quality to Palace?

TEB: There is not a lot of difference between us in all honesty. We both have plenty of quality running through our sides and there is no doubt that both sets of fans will be hoping to keep hold of that talent during the summer. There is plenty of suggestion that this is a dead rubber, but there is a different of £4million at stake in prize money between positions we can end up finishing and that is an amount that both teams can do with.

CC: How do you expect Palace will line up for the game?

TEB: I think Roy will want to sign off at Selhurst with a win, seeing as there have been very few of those this season. I don't think he will be as bold as he was at Cardiff last week, probably more conservative so expect Jordan Ayew to drop back to the bench with either Kouyate or Meyer to step back in. Maybe, just maybe, we will be more bold at home in this last game so who knows!

CC: What is your score prediction?

TEB: I think we will sign off in style with a win but expect it to be a tough but entertaining affair. 3-2 to Palace.

CC: Thanks to Jay for completing our last Rival Lines of the season. I hope you have enjoyed them, I think it was on the Southampton away match that we missed out on. Jay van rightfully boast that Palace have beaten Man City away and they have the players to worry any team. These games are usually close between Palace and Bournemouth and the league positions suggests that two. I have my fingers crossed for a 0-1 away win and a record points total for AFCB. Many thanks for Jay and the Eagles Beak for their answers and may the best team win this weekend!

It's not just Zaha the AFCB have to worry about

Crystal Palace have been steadily accumulating points in the league and it is noticeable that their away games have been fairly profitable. While the media focuses on Wilfred Zaha, Crystal Palace have 10 other players on the pitch that are also working hard and will pose problems for the Cherries.

Zaha will have to be controlled if AFCB are to win the game.

The facts are that Bournemouth rarely manage clean sheets and Crystal Palace are regular scorers in away games this season, so beating Palace will probably need Bournemouth to get at least two goals. Wilfred Zaha is certainly the main goal threat with four goals in August and September. He is likely to be up against Adam Smith most of the time, but Zaha will no doubt play across the front line to see where their might be a weakness. He is quick and confident and we know how he can be a problem when he gets in the box. So Bournemouth have to try and keep him out wide.

Like Burnley, Crystal Palace will also be good at corners and free-kicks and they are another physical team. Luka Milivojevic and Kouyate will be tough to get past and I've been impressed with the pace and tackling of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 20, since he has come into the team. With Van Aanholt playing the other wing-back position, it will take something to keep pushing Palace back.

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Jordan Ayew has been favoured over Christian Benteke of late up front, which does take a bit of aerial ability away from Palace. Hodgson hasn't played Puncheon that much this season, but together with Alexander Sørloth and Andy Townsend, there are plenty of players that have goals in them apart from Zaha.

I'd say their best win was the 0-2 win at Fulham on the first day of the season, but  they have been unlucky not to pick up more points.

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Wilson delights as Cherries get first win over Hammers 3-4

Match Report

West Ham 3 v 4 AFCB 

22 August 2015

Attendance: 34,977

Upton Park in the bright sunshine welcomes AFC Bournemouth to the Premier League.

Well AFCB wanted to entertain in the Premier league and the fans that travelled up from the south coast will have been well satisfied with this roller coaster of a game that brought the Cherries their first points in the top division after a Callum Wilson hat-trick and Marc Pugh goal edged a seven goal thriller. West Ham also made this match a fantastic advert for the top tier in fighting back from being down to two Callum Wilson goals in the first half. Max Gradel missed a great chance to put the Cherries three up at the break but Darren Randolph made on of a number of amazing saves to keep the Hammers in the game. After half time it was the London side that played like a different team on a mission to get something from the game and when Josh King tripped Mark Noble in the box, the midfielder stepped up to make it 1-2 and the comeback was on. A following goal from Cheikhou Kouyate wiped out the Bournemouth lead and it was end to end stuff then before Marc Pugh cut inside to put the Cherries back in front with Max Gradel then winning the Premier League new boys and Carl Jenkins seeing red. The penalty gave callum Wilson the chance to complete his hat-trick, which he duly did. A consolation goal from substitute Modibo Maiga made it a tense finish but the Cherries had claimed their first Premier League win and weren't the supporters just delighted with that.

Jack gives an pre-match view on the possible West Ham line up.

The same line up from the Liverpool match kept their places while West Ham brought in Darren Randloph for the suspended Adrian in goal with Obiang replacing Reece Oxford and Kevin Nolan coming in for the injured Zarate.

Steve gives an AFC Bournemouth point of view pre-match.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

AFCB players do their pre-match running.

The ground begins to fill up.

From the start it was AFCB that showed attacking intent with Charlie Daniels getting forward and having a shot blocked for a corner. West Ham equalled the corner count up as Cook and Francis prevented Kevin Nolan from getting his shot on target on seven minutes. Winstin Reid headed in but pushed Francis first and it was disallowed. AFCB missed an opportunity to make the most of a float a free kick in to the box on nine minutes with Randolph making an easy take, but a quick throw moments later  led to Simon Francis zipping down to the byline, picking Creswell's pocket and pulling back a short pass for Callum Wilson got in front of the central defenders who fired the Cherries 0-1 up!

West Ham came straight back with Diafra Sakho putting through Koyate but Boruc was alert to the danger and came out bravely to take the ball in front of Kouyate's feet. Max Gradel was an ominous threat waiting to burst down the left wing every time an AFCB player lifted their head up and could find him.

Meanwhile, Steve Cook was getting his feet tangled up a bit and just managed to escape with only giving Sakho a corner on 17 minutes. Kouyate could only head over though.

The seasiders were looking strongest though and with Gradel again let loose, Randolph took no chances in making a pitch long clearance just in time. Moments later Gradell was in again though having won the ball off Jenkinson who he out sprinted from box to box only to hesitate and see his shot blocked for a corner. Most attacks were going down West Ham's right wing and Carl Jenkinson was having a rough time of it, while the Hammer's left wing was more in shade. when Ritchie did whip in a cross from AFCB's right wing, Wilson just failed to make a connection with his head or it would have been another goal. Ritchie himself was happy to have a pot shot that went over after Surman had not got a shot away.

The second Bournemouth goal duly came on 27 minutes with O'Kane causing havoc in the Hammer's box before the ball broke off Creswell to Wilson, who lifted it past an out stretched Randolph for his second from close range. He almost made it three seconds later when he hit the side netting, but West Ham were all at seas at the back. "We're only here for one season," came the chant from the Cherries' faithful - they were loving it.

AFCB looked totally in control now with Francis the next to shoot over. It was too much for Boruc after 34 minutes who subbed Ogbonna at the back for Tomkins. It didn't change the AFCB tide though that kept coming forward with Charlie Daniels hitting a wicked drive that just flew past Randolph's left post. The tackles were flying in now and Cook did an absolute cruncher on Sako, while Gradel muscled in to wrestle the ball off Jenkinson with sheer determination. As the sign went up for two minutes of extra time Wilson made a super pass for Gradel who was one on one with Randolph but as Gradel opened his body up and tried to bend it round the shot stopper, Randolph made an amazing save to his left that kept the score a 0-2 at half time.

Half time score.

While AFCB fans had been buoyant and in full song up to now things were about to change. On came jarvis for Nolan and with the ball hung up in Bournemouth's box Boruc did his best to punch clear only for Noble to look to find room for a shot. A desperate King made a mistimed challenge at Jonathan Ross pointed to the spot. It was routine for Noble - bottom left sending Boruc the wrong way. West Ham were some how back in it at 1-2.

Eddie Howe decided Josh King needed to be subbed as he was injured and on came Marc Pugh on 51 minutes. Gradel moved to the number 10 position and Pugh filled in on the left wing. In fact, Pugh had a comical moment when he tried to give the ball back to West Ham so as not to gain an advantage but Kouyate stole in a robbed of the ball before he could pass it back.

West Ham could sense they were back in this and with a smart save from Artur Boruc  from Sakho a sudden follow up from Kouyate made it 2-2 on 53 minutes. While our hearts sank and West Ham fans sang all eyes were now on the pitch wondering what would happen next.

It was Gradel who got the Cherries going again by smashing a shot just wide of the West Ham goal four minutes later. With an hour gone, AFCB were still trying to get back in front with Surman finding Pugh free and his shot from around the penalty spot went straight at Randolph who was just pleased to keep it out - it was like a replay of the position Pugh had got into against Villa, but the same result. While Pugh collected his thoughts after a stoppage in play by bouncing the ball, he seemed determined to not make the same mistake again. sure enough on 66 minutes he had another chance when Max Gradel squared the ball to him on the left and Pugh cut inside Jenkinson before, firing past Tomkins and curling his shot past Randolph and into the left side of the goal - 2-3!

The Cherries continued to press for more goals with Francis putting in a testing cross that Tomkins was probably pleased he didn't make contact with when facing his own goal. Sakho was subbed for Maiga on 72 minutes and while Obiang was down play went on for some time with West Ham in possession, but the ball go overturned and AFCB were hitting the Hammers on the break with good numbers and as the ball passed Obiang who was on half way the referee decided to blow his whistle for the player to receive attention. It was another clear indication that referees were being inconsistent and the AFCB fans just sang "all we want is a decent referee!" Meanwhile, Boruc who had run up from his goal to the half way line to complain received a yellow card.

If the Cherries thought that they had been duped out of a goal scoring opportunity the fans were happy again when Gradel chased down Jenkins and raced into the box only to be hauled back by Carl Jenkins and even Jonathan Moss had to agree this was a penalty. Jenkinson saw red and West Ham were down to 10.  It was just a question of whether Wilson would get his hat-trick from the spot and he obliged - 2-4!

All seemed well with a two goal lead restored but West ham had other thoughts and from a throw, Creswell found Miaga with still some 35 yards to go towards goal, but the striker got his head down and strode his way right through the centre of the Cherries' defence before tapping home past Boruc with superb calmness- it was 3-4!

The last nine minutes of normal time were not to bring anymore goals but the tension was immense. Randolph was named the man of the match - despite Bournemouth fans singing "it's happening again!" every time he touched the ball. Ritchie made a long run that was looking promising before Tomkins blocked him off and with Gosling now on and six minutes of extra time, AFCB looked to keep possession and hold the lead. With Adam Smith replacing Matt Ritchie the AFCB fans were already celebrating their first win of the season and sure enough even a last minute free kick and then a corner with a bit of a scramble in the box ended with the referee blowing for full time.

This is what a first Premier League means to the AFCB fans.

The hard fought game is over.

The players come over to the away supporters.

Summary

It had to come at some time - yes AFCB were going to win a game in the Premier League. Eddie Howe might have wanted a slightly more routine win but a win is a win and the players cold have scored even more goals as well as probably concede some more. Still the seasiders were stronger than the Hammers and Callum Wilson certainly took his chances to get on the score book. Max Gradel was unplayable at times and was even tackling back. there will be questions asked about the 10 minutes of the second half but this is a result to celebrate and three pints to enjoy for a team that came over to the Lower Trevor Brooking stand at the end of the game and basically said that was for you. Eddie and his team delivered and we always knew that would. Now they have something to build on.

A fantastic performance from the team.

AFCB

Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Smith 94), O'Kane, Surman, Gradel (Gosling 85), King (Pugh 51), Wilson

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 6, Francis 7, Elphick 6, Cook 6, Daniels 8, Ritchie 7, O'Kane 6, Surman 6, Gradel 8, King 5, Wilson 10

West Ham

Randolph, Jenkinson, Reid, Ogbonna (Tomkins 35), Cresswell, Noble, Obiang, Kouyaté, Payet,

Nolan (Jarvis 45), Sakho (Maiga 73)

West Ham Subs:

Tomkins, Jarvis, Collins, Maiga, Lanzini, Spiegel, Cullen

Referee: Watch: Jonathan Moss 3/10 - still far too many free missed free kicks and poor decisions but AFCB fans are getting used to expecting the worst.