This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries, it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that inspired me to write this blog.
It was a brutal way for Bournemouth to lose the match against Manchester United last weekend. A defeat in extra-time always seems a devastating blow and when it comes against a team that is one of the biggest names in world football, it seems an even bigger defeat. But AFCB can't be disappointed with the way they performed and they can use their annoyance to fuel their own need to get more wins than ever before by adding more of a ruthless streak to their game.
AFCB will look to regain momentum at Newcastle.
Bournemouth had chances to put more goals past David de Gea than they ultimately achieved on the day. The way that the front three worked was great to watch and it was the final shot rather than the final pass that tended to let the team down. If AFCB can create a hat-full of chances against Man Utd then they can create even more against many other teams.
The players need to know that they had Man Utd hanging on before half-time for dear life and that they will win more games than lose with the kind of intensity that they showed in the opening half hour. But keeping those levels up week after week is what we need to see now. AFCB don't get to play Man Utd every week, but they need to take the frustration at not holding out for a point into their next match and be more ruthless against Newcastle United. In the few days since last weekend's defeat there is more of a less emotional reflection to the game. Bournemouth played well and came very close to getting a positive result. There were more positives than negatives and the players should be confident that their levels are good enough to be one of the teams fighting for a top six finish.
The goals against column for Manchester United is pretty poor for a club in the top 10 with 17 goals already passing David de Gea. United have had just one clean sheet compared to Bournemouth's four, and it's United's defence that should give Eddie Howe some optimism that there are weaknesses in Mourinho's team coming into this match.
Even David de Gea has found his form slip in recent months.
Bournemouth's difficulty for all their good play is that they don't make as many chances against the top teams. In the shots stats so far this season, AFCB only rank 12th highest with 120 shots compared to Man United's 133 in seventh. Bournemouth are not afraid to take long shots as we saw with Simon Francis against Fulham, but their ability to make good decisions around the box has often been the difference in whether they do test the keeper or not.
When Bournemouth do get inside the box they have a high strike rate. They rank third in scoring all 19 of their goals inside the oppositions' penalty area. De Gea has already been worked hard this season having made 34 saves, the eighth highest in the league. Begovic has only made 24 saves and AFCB are well down at 16th for saves made. What will also give Howe some joy is to see United down in 15th place for blocks, while AFCB are up at third on 43 blocks in their 10 games. It means de Gea doesn't get nearly the kind of protection that Begovic is currently enjoying.
Bournemouth will need to up their pass rate against Man United. AFCB have had 4224 passes compared to United's 5186. While the Cherries have enjoyed playing on the break and letting some teams come on to them in away games, this is unlikely to be the way Howe will want to see the game played against United at Dean Court. The Cherries can expect to have to deal with crosses. United have created the third highest at 222, whereas Bournemouth are down at 16th on 166 crosses. So Aké and Steve Cook may need their eyes focused on a few high balls.
Cherry Chimes' T-shirt competition Send in your score predictions for AFCB v Man United to @CherryChimes on Twitter. We will pick a winner from those who send in the correct score before 10am on Saturday morning.
Eddie Howe seemed rather dejected that Man United had managed to find it fairly simple to block the way to goal when the Cherries tried their utmost to get back into the game having gone one-nil down. He had great admiration for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones who managed to master Callum Wilson's physical presence.
Eddie Howe only had words of acknowledgement and respect for Man Utd's two central defencders.
Man Utd's defenders also managed to keep the Cherries out by only picking up one yellow card whereas AFCB's discipline went a little with three bookings. The frustration did get to a few of Bournemouth's players as they were getting into shooting positions but not a lot was coming off when they needed that final ball. The spaces were just quickly closed by United's defenders and if AFCB learn anything from the game it should be to defend a little more like United did. BBC Radio Solent' John Williams had another phrase for Man United's play "boring", although he did admit it was effective. While half of the attraction for people watching Bournemouth is that they like to entertain, there is part of the game that is aimed at destroying and breaking up good play and it is a side of the game that AFCB are still more novice at than some.
What was impressive about United is that David De Gea was hardly needed. In the end he had to make two saves. But AFCB were not so far behind United in that respect with United only getting four shots on target. AFCB have found goals hard to come by this season. They now have a total of 41 goals this season which does not compare that favorably with 55 last season.
The penalty spot is being kind to Josh King at the moment. He may be using up his repertoire of spot kicks fairly soon, but what we have seen of his penalty kicks so far have been so good as to wonder why he hasn't done the job ahead of others before.
Can King keep his goal run going?
AFCB seem to have a plethora of players that want to take penalties. It is handy of anyone gets injured that someone else can take over, and I believe competition is quite high at the club to be the recognised penalty taker. I felt quite nervous for Josh up at old Trafford when he had to wait to take the kick. It seemed unfair that he should have to wait so long but Josh stayed very composed. It was an explosive kick as well with just a short run up. It had to be excellent too to beat de Gea.
I'm sure Josh is pleased to score, but I bet he would rather do it in the run of play. He did not get a clear chance to do that last game and in the next home game the onus will really be on AFCB to be more positive than reactionary. They have to try and get Josh and Adobe, if he plays, with good shooting chances and it is always worrying to see if the side can just turn it on like a tap when they have had a game where they have just had to use every fibre to keep a side out with 10-men. Josh is particularly good at making positive play. He robbed Man Utd's midfield on countless occasions and he works so hard for the team that he is now highly regarded. In fact, so much so that he has his own song at last - a version of the Will Greg 'Your defence is terrified'. I imagine we might be singing that quite often. King needs to become the striker that is the go to man when AFCB need a cool finish, and I think he is certainly up to the job. Let's hope the hammer's defence is soon to be terrified!
Rival Lines Match Preview Man Utd v AFCB Blogger Interview: Old Trafford Faithful Twitter: @OTFiathful
Well we made it to the last game of the season and Man Utd may need to win the game for their hopes to get into the top four but it is a mighty relief that AFCB don't face needing any points to avoid relegation. So when I spoke to Jordan Street, who writes for the Old Trafford Faithful website, having not known the result of the final match at the Boleyn stadium, my thoughts were that things might have turned out rather well for the Red Devils with Bournemouth visiting Old Trafford in the final game of the season. CC: What has it been like as a Man Utd fan to see your side not playing with the verve and intensity of Man Utd teams of old - has your respect for Fergie gone even higher? OF: Well it has been a bit of an odd few years for Manchester United. David Moyes never looked good enough, but Louis van Gaal was expected to bring that fear factor back to Old Trafford. That hasn’t happened whatsoever, and it shows just how much of an influence Sir Alex Ferguson was on this group of players. He’ll always be the best ever, there is no question about that. CC: If a big offer comes in for Wayne Rooney over the summer from China would you be pleased to wish him all the best and buy some new players with the transfer fee? OF: Its tough. Wayne Rooney has spearheaded United’s attack for a decade now, and despite that i’ve never seen a player here divide the fans like him. I’m a huge fan of his and I would love to see him at United for a few more years yet. He seems to be thriving in this new midfield role, and without sounding too big-headed, United aren’t short of the money. CC: If David de Gea is off to Real Madrid will a goalkeeper signing be the most important this summer? OF: Without doubt. We have some talented keepers on our books, like Sam Johnstone and Joel Pereira, but it’d be cruel to throw them straight in at the deep end. I’d love to see Marc Andre Ter-Stegen at Manchester United. I’d also try and get Keylor Navas in. Perhaps some sort of swap deal with Real Madrid? CC: Luis van Gaal might have started to get the team playing well enough to win a trophy and even get in the top four but is that enough for him to keep his job? OF: Again, this is a hard one. If we’re being brutally honest, he should lose his job regardless. United fans have been spoilt for twenty years now, and for 99% of clubs on the planet, a spot in the top four and an FA Cup trophy would be a hugely successful season. Unfortunately for Van Gaal that isn’t the case at Old Trafford, and we could well see him sacked when the season ends. CC: Are the expectations of the Man Utd fans set too high? OF: Without question. I’ve been born and raised in Manchester, and grown up with United winning title after title. The expectations here are ridiculously high, and the pressure it puts on the players and coaching staff is immense. CC: Does the progress of Marcus Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson make you wonder if there are any other U21 players at United who should be given a go? OF: I consider myself quite knowledgeable in terms of Manchester United’s youth products. Rashford always had it in him, but Borthwick-Jackson really did come out of nowhere. There are so many academy graduates at the moment at United that have the potential to go an awful long way in this game. The biggest of the bunch is Timothy Fosu-Mensah, but keep an eye out for Callum Gribbin who will certainly come through over the next few years. CC: Are Man Utd a long way from making a challenge from the title next season and is it as simple as a managerial change? OF: Yes and no. We have some real gems in our squad. David de Gea, Chris Smalling and Anthony Martial to name a few. Around them we have plenty of solid players. If Manchester United can keep hold of the aforementioned trio, bring in a couple of world class talents and get rid of some deadwood, we’d be more than capable of mounting a serious challenge - even with Louis van Gaal. CC: Which game disappointed you most this season for Man Utd and why? OF: Norwich City at home. They beat us 2-1 and we were just awful. Unfortunately for Louis van Gaal situations like that have happened far too often. The 2-1 defeat away at Bournemouth, losses to Swansea and Sunderland and the last minute draw away at Newcastle. Oh what could have been... CC: How do you expect Man Utd to line up against AFC Bournemouth? OF: Anthony Martial should be back, so he’ll be raring to go. They’ll be no Marouane Fellaini so we’ll likely see Morgan Schneiderlin grab a start. Putting those couple of players aside, it’ll be pretty much same old same old. This is the XI we’re likely to see: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Rashford. Cheers for having me. CC: It's been a pleasure chatting to you Jordan and I am sure my readers will enjoy reading the articles that are already looking towards the FA Cup final and the return of Luke Shaw. I admit Man Utd are not my favourite side, but I haven't found it particularly pleasing to see such a great team struggle to hit top form for much of the season. I want such clubs to do well in Europe and it's disappointing when English teams look well below par compared to our continental counterparts. In the Premier League though it almost lessens the win that AFCB had against Man Utd when other teams can manage it too. You need big teams to be almost like granite and with Chelsea and to a lesser extent Man City and Arsenal failing to live up to expectations it has been a season for the teams that don't usually grab the headlines. The one thing I am sure of though is that Man Utd will come back stronger as will several other teams next season, so enjoy the day up at Old Trafford no matter what the score.
Junior Stanislas had a very memorable game against Man Utd. He may not have got everything right but he is making things happen. The ball was a bit like a magnet to him on Saturday and he can't have wished for a better start than he gave the team. He has been a player that has always been good from set pieces and along with Ritchie, AFCB have a couple of amazing strikers of the dead ball.
Junior and Glenn are getting some luck in front of goal.
The high intensity that the Cherries play with perhaps does not always mean that things always come off as well as they might. It is quick and yet controlled play that Eddie Howe wants from his team and that can often become hurried and rushed when it does not quite work. Repetition and familiarity are starting to pay off though and Junior is one of those players who can put into practise in a game what he does in training. The movement of Junior has been a big factor in the Cherries looking more threatening in front of gaol. Like Josh King, Junior has to get better at finishing and his one-on-one test in the Man Utd game with David de Gea may not have come off, but it was his positivity of trying to go around the keeper that I was most impressed with. He might have tried to shoot from distance a few weeks ago, but by being daring, he commits others. AFCB players were trying to get the ball to Junior all the time as he was making things happen. Junior won't have been so delighted to his early back pass that found Martial rather than Surman, but even that worked out luckily for AFCB. You create your own luck they so though and the early goal that Junior scored from the corner was something that I am sure Junior practises in the rain in the week over and over again. Things come off for you when you keep at it and Junior will now be feeling much more part of the team having scored five goals already this season which equals the fast start of Callum Wilson now. PremierTalk: click on to Premier Talk to read - The wind of change is blowing through the Premier League
It should have come a surprise to beat Man Utd at Dean Court, but after last weeks heroics at Stamford Bridge it is becoming a regular occurrence to see AFCB defeat a side that is used to pick up all the silverware. Luis van Gaal will have known that Bournemouth have score more early goals than any other side in the Premier League this season, but Junior Stanislas gave David de Gea the unenviable task of picking the ball out of the net after just two minutes and there was nothing Man Utd could have done about it. The ball flew in the goal straight from the corner. The Cherries were ahead and even when Fellaini managed to scramble an equaliser in on his knees on 24 minutes, there was still belief that a possible upset was on the cards. Indeed, another set piece was to decide the game when a low struck corner kick from Matt Ritchie drifted past Juan Mata at the front of the box and Josh King had time and space to turn and shoot past David de Gea to record the second big win for the Cherries in the space of eight days.
AFCB players line up.
There was no need for Eddie Howe to make changes to the starting 11 that had played so magnificently at Chelsea last week. On the bench though there was a recall for Mac Pugh, Eunan O'Kane and Tokelo Rantie while Sylvain Distin returned from illness. There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.
Man Utd players decide to wear a complete white strip.
The excitement builds before kick off.
Man Utd were a much changed team as they had Chris Smalling and Darmian out after their midweek game and in came Valera, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson and Carrick.
Mata and Martial to kick off.
Man Utd fan Phil talks about the Red Devils
pre-match on Cherry Chimes' FanCam.
The game started with Josh King attacking up the left side and winning a free kick. A corner then quickly followed. What know one expected was for Junior Stanislas to swing his right foot so accurately that he put a curve on the ball that saw it bend beyond David de Gea, who was more worried about Dan Gosling, and into the top right corner of the goal off of the far post. De Gea may have got a hand on the ball but it was not enough to change the trajectory. The home crowd roared with delight! The Cherries were 1-0 up in less than two minutes. Junior celebrated with Harry Arter who had had a tough week with a bereavement - the reason why the AFCB players were wearing black arm bands. Just as the crowd settled back down though, Artur Boruc was forced to make a double save. Adam Smith had tripped Memphis Depay and from the free kick first Fellaini had a point blank shot that Artur Boruc turned away only to get up again to make another save to his left, at full stretch, from a header from McNair. It was amazing agility and it kept the score at 1-0. The Cherries were finding it hard to keep possession or get more than one or two passes in before losing the ball again. A brief chance came to break the Man Utd pressure when the Cherries had a free kick 30 yards out, but Stanislas shot well over. Junior was the man to watch and he inexplicably then made a back pass towards Andrew Surman on the edge of AFCB's box that never had the legs. In stole Martial who just had Boruc to beat and yet he blew his lines and steered his shot wide and right of the goal. What a let off! Just when Junior had got over that shocker. He got his game together again, Josh King found himself through against de Gea on 22 minutes. Arter had clipped in a beautiful ball between McNair and Varela that Josh was first to. King decided to go around de Gea, taking the ball from the left to the right of the keeper, but de Gea somehow managed to snatch the ball from him when it had looked like a certain goal. The Cherries were made to pay for the missed chance too. Memphis found himself through on a long ball from Carrick that Adam Smith was slow to react to, but Boruc stretched out his left leg and made a blocked save. The ball cannoned out to Mario Fellaini who could not keep his feet, having made contact with Boruc, and was on his knees. The midfielder managed to keep his momentum going forward though and stabbed out his right foot to jab the ball into the net, past Adam Smith and Steve Cook on the line - it was 1-1. AFCB were still winning corners and Stanislas put a shot wide from won after 27 minutes. It was then that Jesse Lingard pulled up with a hamstring pull and Andreas Pereira had to replace him - more injuries for Utd. A snap shot from Stanislas again went wide on 33 minutes as the Cherries looked to get back in front. Adam Smith was having a real battle with Memphis on the wing but he was not giving up. The moment when the Cherries might have gone ahead again was when King broke on the right and crossed for Ritchie who snapped his shot right at de Gea who could make the save.
It's been a brilliant first half with both teams creating lots of chances, but it's all square at 1-1.
Second Half The second half began with Man Utd on the attack and then forced all the way back to their keeper. Simon Francis then showed that he is not just an average centre back by making a darting run up the right side and into the box, past three Man Utd players. His shot forced de Gea into a near post save. The resulting corner was hit low and Josh King came from near the far post to the middle of the box, spinning off Daley Blind. He had an inviting chance and buried the shot neatly in what was a move from the training ground. He did it without any fuss to put the Cherries 2-1 up on 54 minutes. AFCB were in full flight now. Arter burst from defence and found Josh King running at goal. King checked in the box and made a chip that went just wide of the far post and over Junior Stanislas. Man Utd also had their chances though and Fellaini saw his shot in the box kept out by Boruc and then cleared by Adam Smith. The Cherries subbed King on 65 minutes for Glenn Murray, but the Cherries shape stayed the same. Murray had a superb chance to wrap things up when on 70 minutes he bust into the box, checked onto his left foot beating McNair, but hit his shot over the bar with de Gea to beat. Just a few moments later, Stanislas won a corner and this time the ball from the corner kick deflected off a Man Utd player and fell to Murray, but he was leaning back and clipped his shot over from six yards! Man Utd brought on Powell for Fellaini on 74 minutes. Harry Arter was starting to see more of the ball now and shot wide on 80 minutes as he came forward. When Surman went down though three minutes later, Arter managed to get himself booked and was sent over to the touchline. Eddie Howe put his arm around the neck of Harry before he let him back on. As Harry went over to the right side of the pitch he was then subbed for O'Kane to come on. This was all eating up the time. Martial had a chance to dance around a few AFCB defenders and get a shot away near the end, but he ballooned his shot well over the bar. Luis van Gaal's only last resort was to bring on Jones for McNair at centre back on 91 minutes. How that would win the game I have no idea, but perhaps he was more worried about Utd conceding a third. After five minutes of extra time though it did not matter. Utd had been beaten by a team that they had been 90 or so places above some 7 years ago.
Back to back wins for the Cherries!
Glenn Murray gets a hug from David de Gea.
Eddie walks off with Harry Arter with another satisfying win.
Eddie spoke well about the difficult week that Harry Arter and his partner
Rachel had had after the loss of their child at birth and our
thoughts are with Harry Arter, his partner and relatives.
Summary The Cherries wanted the three points and more importantly a win against the big name of Man Utd more than anything else. The week had been filled with the history of when the Cherries had knocked the Red Devils out of the FA Cup in 1984 and the new Premier League Cherries were not going to miss the opportunity of getting their headlines. It was a win that came from set pieces, but the team work and will to win were most evident. This Bournemouth side has grown immeasurably in the last few games and now it is moving up the table and can take great encouragement from their first back-to-back win at the top level. Now the team needs to maintain these performance levels to keep the points coming. AFCB are up to 14th in the table and that's a great Christmas present for the fans.
A great effort from the players who keep to winning ways.
AFCB Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie, Arter (O'Kane 86), Gosling, Stanislas, King (Murray 65)
I thought there were a lot of positives on how Man Utd played in mid-week against Wolfsberg, which on the face of it is not great news for the Cherries. The Red Devils certainly created chances and worked the keeper and the sideways passing that has been so heavily criticised of van Gaal's side gave way to positive forward passing and high pressing. The problem for them is they still did not win and the effort that Man Utd put into that game could be an important factor when they take on the Cherries in the late Saturday kick off.
Lee Tomlin and Marc Pugh were back in training this week
and could make the sub's bench for AFCB.
I'd have expected Schweinsteiger to be dropped for the AFCB game even if he had not received a three match ban as Man Utd need Michael Carrick to set the pace in midfield and he should be fresher than most having only playing just over 20 minutes in midweek. There was a strong performances from Martial up front, but the Cherries will also have to be on guard for Fellaini at set-pieces. Memphis Depay will give them some crosses and they had plenty of players in the box at Wolfsberg, but Mata looked the main man one minute and out of sorts the next. Chris Smalling also picked up and injury and de Gea kept Man Utd from conceding on several occasions so there are signs that this is not a Man Utd that are brimming with confidence. The first goal is going to be everything on Saturday. The Cherries need to get at Man Utd early and put them under pressure. If Utd end up chasing the game their midweek exertions may well catch up with them. They have to make some changes to their team and will not particularly find it a thrill to come to such a small ground with the home fans in full voice. The noise at Stamford Bridge was amazing and that really needs to be replicated at home games. Eddie has to try and keep the momentum going now. If the team can beat Chelsea it can beat Man Utd. The players have to do the same positive things that they do away from home and stay compact when defending. I'd not expect any team changes on AFCB's side unless any injuries or colds have been picked up in midweek. I'd hope that Josh King is also keener than ever to get on the score sheet as an ex-Man Utd trainee and Matt Ritchie might also get the Man Utd scouts purring if he comes up with another blockbuster strike. David de Gea is a man that the Cherries will be aiming to keep very busy this Saturday. Another win against a team as big as Man Utd would start to shake up the Premier League and that's what AFCB are here for. UTCIAD!
