Spurs are much better than last season's team

Spurs have been amazing at home in 2017
and are unbeaten this year at White Hart Lane.

I thought Spurs would go close to winning the title last season, and while they are still chasing this season I am convinced they are a much stronger outfit now. Their forward line has been strengthened as was shown by the way the continued to rack up the points even when Harry Kane has been recovering from injury. The goals have been flowing and it's not just Deli Ali that is exciting the fans at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have only had one defeat on their last 10 games when they had a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, but recently they have been ruthless at dispatching teams especially at home. It was the win against Swansea City though that has made people sit up again and ponder if this Spurs side can really still catch Chelsea. To win games in the last few minutes gives a tremendous boost to a team and Spurs are still riding on that win.

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Their forward line has really improved since the form of Son Heung-Min has taken off. He is not a player that automatically fitted into Pochettino's system, but he has become a regular starter now and is proving deadly accurate when he comes in from the wing and unleashes shots. With 11 goals and four assists, Son has made a big impact and not just for his hand-dancing goal celebrations. 

It has taken Christian Eriksen much longer to get into Pochettiono's thoughts, but he has started to deliver this season and has been able to react as soon as he got his chance with Kane being out of the team. Eric Lamela is another player that is full of potential and if he can put consistent performances in it starts to become apparent that Spurs are developing a side that has able replacements for when one of their big hitters needs a few games out.

AFCB did well to hold Spurs, without a certain Mr Kane, down at Dean Court earlier this season, but this game will be very much harder and I have a feeling it will be Spur's attack that will see most of the ball on Saturday.

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The Cherries go 10th and match Spurs in goalless draw

Match Report

22 October 2016

AFCB 0 v 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Attendance: 11,201

Dean Court raises the noise level to welcome the teams. 

Some might have expecting another goal flood at Dean Court but spectators were instead treated to a captivating match between a side aiming for the title and another that has aspirations itself of taking footsteps into the top 10. Spurs may have had a couple of players out from their first choice line up but then again so did the Cherries. Both sides created plenty of chances with Charlie Daniels and Erik Lamela both hitting the cross bar in the first half, while Dele Alli forced a great save from Artur Boruc in the second half. But a 0-0 result was a fair one and the Cherries will probably a little more pleased with the result that extends their unbeaten run to four games.

The teams come onto the pitch.

There was a surprise in not seeing Junior Stanislas in the squad having apparently picked up a calf injury while Andrew Surman pulled up during the warm up for the game and was unfit to play. Andrew felt unwell and had no energy, Eddie Howe said after the match. So Josh King came in for Stanislas and Dan Gosling made his first Premier League start of the season in place of Andrew Surman.

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Team photo for AFCB.

Spurs before kick off.

While Danny Rose had been a doubt for Spurs he was able to start, but Trippier and Janssen who started in midweek against Bayer Leverkusen were replaced by Walker and Dembele.

The captains - Francis and Lloris.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

AFCB were told to show as much energy as Spurs on and off the ball and Callum Wilson showed that from the start in chasing down Hugo Lloris from the off. Spurs' in-form Son then hit an early shot that was offside.

King and Gosling soon started snapping tackles in midfield and when Francis played a long ball for Wilson he picked a corner off of Vertonghen. Ibe managed to get to the byline from the corner and fired the ball in hard with Charlie Daniels reacting first and smashing his shot that came off a low diving Lloris and off the bar!

The fouls soon began to rise with Wanyama starting things off by bring down Gosling. Alli followed up with taking out Adam Smith. Meanwhile, AFCB were stopping Spurs from playing out from the back - the press was on. Arter was running furiously around the midfield closing every white shirt down. Wilshere was threading passes, looking for Wilson on the charge and a block from Vertonghen won AFCB another corner.

Spurs were just as adept at the breakaway with Dele Alli slipping past Arter and Gosling for once and feeding Lamela who hit a shot from 20 yards that dipped and curled and spun off the top corner of Boruc's goal on 18 minutes.

Lamela soon disappointed though with a late challenge from behind on Adam Smith that saw the first yellow card of the afternoon. Smith was left clutching his left ankle but recovered after a few minutes. Artur was happy to dish out some hard tackles himself and left Wanyama wondering what had hit him moments later. Ibe was less subtle in pulling the shirt of Vertonghen but it had the desired affect of slowing Spurs down.

Spurs were trying to get more control and Eriksen put in a good cross that Francis got a flick header to before Wanyama found Eriksen again who hit a low shot that Boruc turned round the post to his left. Eric Dier put his header from the corner wide.

Danny Rose and Josh King were having a full on battle up Bournemouth's right wing. It was Wilson though that was always likely to break free and Vertonghen clipped him as he turned to get away on half way and earned his yellow card. Another card followed for Dele Alli as he brought down Adam Smith and Gosling also got a yellow card. The talking point at half time though was Lamela's foul on Dan Gosling that inexplicably did not earn him a second yellow! The game had become a bit wild in the tackle stakes and Danny Rose was another to get carded for a foul on King just before half time.

Two minutes of added time produced on last chance in the half for Calum Wilson but he put his header wide.

No score at half time.

Second half

Spurs came out full of intent in the second half. Dele Alli hit a speculative dive from 25 yards to start them off that Boruc had to dive to his right to turn it behind. Josh King then sped down the right wing to deliver a cross that was just headed away in time by Dier as Wilson lurked in the box right behind the central defender.

Jordan Ibe was having some loose control problems but Eriksen was having no such difficulties slipping a touch to take the ball past Steve Cook and through for Lemela to run on goal, but Francis got back in time to make a saving tackle.

Another move saw Wanyama hit the ball back across the box only for Lamella to blast over from a tight angle. Francis was sliding in to stop Danny Rose in his tracks and it as becoming a bit desperate for the Cherries. The ball just kept coming back.

On 60 minutes though Ibe was subbed for Max Gradel and Spurs took off the luckless Son and replaced him with Janssen. That was followed by a shot from Walker with the outside of his foot that went well wide.

With Lamella and Eriksen standing over a free kick that Gradel had given away for blocking Dembele, Boruc had to react quickly as Lamela went for goal bypassing the two-man wall and forcing Artur to take the full force of the shot.

Gradel was carded for fouling Lamela. Jack Wilshere and Callum Wilson were starting to find some gaps though as the game progressed.

Deli Ali was taken off on 70 minutes and was replaced by Sissoko. Spurs could see the points slipping away and Danny Rose was getting closer forcing Boruc to save to his right.

An incident with Arter and Wanyama caused a stoppage, but while Wanyama was accused of using an elbow the referee preferred instead to take Wanyama aside. Neither were booked of course. Benik Afobe replaced Callum Wilson for the last 10 minutes as AFCB tried to force their way through the Spurs defence.

Ryan Fraser then came on for Josh King with three minutes to go. One last chance almost won the Cherries the game when Afobe headed onto the roof of the net from a Simon Francis cross before the final whistle went.

All square.

Summary
Eddie Howe was very pleased with this performance and to match Spurs is a big step forward for this AFCB side considering what happened in the same fixture last season. Those demons were exercised and now AFCB are looking more and more like a top half side. While they did not break the Spurs defence they did create chances and a clean sheet against a side that will be contesting for the title is a very good day's work.

Dembele and Boruc congratulate each other.

Artur Boruc adds another clean sheet to his record.

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Gosling, Arter, King (Fraser 87), Wilshere,
Ibe (Gradel 60), Wilson (Afobe 82)

AFCB Substitutes
Federici, Mings, Aké, Afobe, Gradel, Fraser, Mousset

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 8, Smith 7, Francis 8, Cook 8, Daniels 7, Gosling 7, Arter 9, King 8, Wilshere 7, Ibe 7,
Wilson 7

Referee: Craig Pawson 3/10 - Lamela should have seen red.

Spurs
Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Dembélé, Eriksen, Alli (Sissoko), Lamela, Son Heung-min (Janssen)

Spurs Substitutes
Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Winks, Davies, Sissoko, Janssen

Afobe walks off but only had a few minutes to impress.

Can Cook and Francis stop Harry Kane?

AFCB's centre backs have had some difficult games and the match against Tottenham is going to be another stiff examination of their Premier League class. While mentions of possible England call ups won't distract Simon Francis, both he and Steve Cook have to prove themselves against the very best in matches like this away from home if they are truly going to get themselves recognised as among some of the best players in the country in their positions.

Exiting stage left - Harry Kane is one player AFCB must shackle.

Clean sheets against Spurs have not been easy with the form of Harry Kane who has already scored 19 league goals. But if you take him out of the equation the Tottenham strike force looks almost human. Erik Lamella, Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele just have three league goals, Christian Eriksen has five, while Deli Alli is on seven goals. So stopping Harry Kane is the number one task for Bournemouth's back line, but there are several midfield runners who will also be very attack minded in this game.

Harry Kane basically shoots from just about anywhere and to usually works for him as Arsenal recently found out. But to keep him quiet would be a major feather in Cook and Francis' book. I don't believe there are many players that are better in the air than him and as his first thought is to always shoot the blocks are going to have to be flying in. 

Francis and Cook have seen 13 goals go in against them since the new year in the league, but with four clean sheets it is not beyond them to steal another clean sheet. With AFCB's biggest defeat of 2016 coming in home games to West Ham and Stoke City, it is the away form that has really been most effective. Only in the Leicester away game when Francis was sent off have the Cherries had a team have more than 14 shots against them in a game since the 1st Jan. Keeping that number of attempts down is going to need not just Francis and Cook to play well but others too. 

Individual errors cost AFCB last time against Spurs, but perhaps this will be seen as a big step in how far the team has improved since the game against Spurs at Dean Court when Artur Boruc was in goal and Sylvain Distin and Steve Cook were the centre halves.

Spurs hit Cherries for five again

Match Report

25 October 2015

AFCB 1 v 5 Tottenham Hotspur

Attendance: 11,332

The teams come out with the media looking on.

If last week's humbling was not enough of a reality check then this week the Cherries surely felt spanked as Spurs netted five times to take all three points at the Vitality stadium. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick and Spurs looked every bit a class side, and yet they were the team that was 1-0 down after just 50 seconds of the match. That was because Matt Ritchie had scored his second Premier League goal of the season, after profiting from a Charlie Daniels cross. Sadly, the Cherries could only hold on to the lead for eight minute. Once Artur Boruc had brought down Kane in the box, the England striker picked himself up to get Spurs rolling. Mousa Dembele put them in front after 17 minutes and a mistake by Boruc dropped the ball at Erik Lamela's feet so that he could make it 1-3 before half time. The goals continued with Kane completing his hat-trick with second half strikes, but the worry for Eddie Howe is how is he going to repair the damage done by two successive heavy defeats that have seen 10 goals go in against AFCB?

Handshakes to start the day off.

Pete and Sara talk about Spurs before the game
(some sound problems on the video).

While AFCB fans waited to see what changes might be made to the starting line up after the punishment given out at Man City, there was only the return of Artur Boruc in goal, Pugh in midfield and King up front. Eunan O'Kane, Adam Ferderici and Adam Smith were moved to the bench. There was a first bench appearance for Tokelo Rantie as well. But there was still no Harry Arter.

Spurs get ready.

AFCB in a huddle.

The captains.

More pictures are available to see on Match Day Gallery.

AFCB fans could not have imagined a better start with Charlie Daniels whipping in a cross that found Matt Ritchie unmarked at the far post, and having time to bring the ball under his control and on to his left foot before firing past Hugo Lloris at his near side, left-hand, post. The Cherries has made a stunning start in just 50 seconds and we were jumping for joy!

The crowd was pumped and it seemed like it would be a big home performance as the Spurs players started arguing with each other over the goal. Yet, seven minutes later Christian Eriksen slipped a simple ball through for Kane to run onto on the left side of AFCB's penalty box and as Boruc came out he stood on Harry Kane's foot which was enough for the forward to hit the turf and referee Rodger East could not wait to point to the spot, despite Boruc's protests. On replays it was hard to argue with the decision. Kane did not hit the shot that cleanly, but it was straight down the middle and the scores were level.

That had sucked a lot of the early excitement out of the Bournemouth crowd and with Josh King putting a header wide from Matt Ritchie's cross on 13 minutes the fear of missing such opportunities was already starting to get Eddie Howe scribbling down notes. Spurs were suddenly playing with confidence and knocking the ball round with ease. Murray fouled Dele Alli though and the free kick on the left was to lead to a second Tottenham goal. At first the ball was played to Danny Rose who saw his shot blocked, and it broke to Mousa Dembele in the box who strode forward and prodded the ball underneath Boruc to put the white shirts ahead.

It had unsettled the Cherries who were struggling to put their passes together in any kind of a long sequence. Charlie Daniels ballooned a shot that would not have looked out of place at the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. At the other end Tottenham were looking for a third as Toby Alderweireld caused Boruc to pull off a great save from his header from a corner. Artur's skill and good fortune soon disappeared though come the 29th minute when Kane put in a routine cross that was simply fumbled by Boruc, and Erik Lamela was on hand to tap the ball home just like Wilfred Bony had done for Man City past Federici last week. It was 1-3 and AFCB were now leaking goals as frequently as the Autumn leaves falling from the trees.

Danny Rose was the first and only player to get a yellow card for a late foul on Matt Ritchie. There was then panic in the Bournemouth box as Steve Cook started running towards his own goal, while being pursued by Kane and Lamela, but he eventually found a route to safety.

Lloris then had a moment of madness as Josh King closed him down and almost blocked his clearance. Everything was going Tottenham's way though. They even won a corner from the referee on 45 minutes when the assistant referee had first signalled for an offside. When Pugh also got on the end of a Ritchie cross from the right he could only watch as his weak shot was easily cleared off the line. King followed up with a sharp turn and shot that then hit the post! Ritchie's effort though went wide and the score stayed 1-3 at half time.

A disappointing half for the Cherries.

Who would have believed that after the start AFCB made?

Second Half
Not a lot changed in the way the game was heading in this second half. Boruc began by throwing the ball out to Dan Gosling just in front of his own D, and he suddenly had to react by passing it straight back at Boruc. The keeper then kicked the ball against Dembele who was right on top of him, but Boruc managed at the second attempt to clear the ball to safety!

Spurs were keeping the ball fairly easily now despite the running of King and Murray and  when they did find space up the left wing with Eriksen there was no big surprise that his cross was met well by Harry Kane in front of Boruc and Distin to make it 1-4 on 56 minutes. It was all about damage limitation now.

King was withdrawn on the hour and replaced by Eunan O'Kane who played in midfield behind Murray. Stemming the goals was going to be difficult though as Kane was shooting on sight of goal now and brought out another good save from Boruc at his near post on 63 minutes. He was not to be denied though and a header from Alderweireld was spilt by Boruc, and found its way to Kane who fired in the fifth for Spurs just a minute later.

It did bring a reaction from the Cherries and Matt Ritchie hit a finger stinging shot from outside the box for Lloris to to turn over the bar.

Spurs were still not slowing their assault on the Bournemouth goal either though and Eriksen went really close by hitting the post from distance on 67 minutes. Dembele was subbed for Ryan Mason to make his return a minute later and Yann Kermorgant came on for Glenn Murray, who had again showed that he would hold the ball up well and draw fouls.

If the fans in the Ted MacDougall had not had enough shocks, Artur again dropped a ball from a Drier cross which led to quite a scramble between him and Harry Kane, before it was cleared. It did look like it should have been a penalty though as Kane was tripped by Boruc, who will have nightmares about this game. More changes meant Pugh was subbed and Adam Smith got to play the last 15 minutes for AFCB, on the left wing, against one of his former clubs. Kyle Walker was also subbed on 81 minutes to allow Kieran Trippier on and Harry Kane was subbed five minutes from the end  for Clinton Njie.

Njie came close to making it six for Spurs when Delle Ali played him in on the left but Boruc pulled off a good save to keep the score at 1-5. AFCB fans were just thankful that only 1 minute of extra time were to be played although the sudden voices coming over the PA in the last few minutes provided a bit of a distraction from fans having to take in some of the reality of what they had seen on the pitch.

Surman thanks the referee.

A good afternoon for Spurs.

Simon Francis and danny rose in the background.

Summary
AFCB can't keep having bad days at the office like this. Ten goals against in two games is only going to lead to one place, and as a matter of urgency the team must do everything it can to cut out the individual blunders, and not feel like they are going to concede two and three goals every time they let one goal in. There has to be a reaction now. We know Spurs are a good team, but how easy did AFCB make it for them on the day? Far too easy and that is the real disappointment. Defeat itself is not something the team wants to get used to, but losing by contributing hugely to large scores is something they have to find a solution to extremely quickly or they will be viewed as the whipping boys of the Premier League. Head up boys, let's get some pride back for the Cherries on Wednesday.

Not a home match AFCB will want to remember.

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Pugh (Smith 75), King (O'Kane 61), Murray (Kermorgant 68)

AFCB subs
Federici, Smith, Bennett, Stanislas, O'Kane, Kermorgant, Rantie

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 4, Francis 5, Cook 5, Distin 5, Daniels 6, Ritchie 8, Gosling 7, Surman 6, Pugh 6, King 5, Murray 7

Spurs
Lloris,Walker (Trippier 82), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dier, Alli, Lamela, Dembélé (Mason 68), Eriksen, Kane (N'Jie - 85)

Spurs subs
Vorm, Mason, N'Jie, Trippier, Townsend, Onomah, Wimmer

Ref Watch: Roger East 5/10

The Cherries must keep home form going against Spurs

We know that the games coming up are big games for AFCB. The teams are the recognised Premier League heavyweights that habitually take points off of other teams on a regular basis. But the names of Spurs and Liverpool should not hold fear for our lads anymore. They should be relishing this time as it is special for them and for the club and the support that I saw at the Etihad was a sure indication that everyone is behind them and wanting them to provide some shocks in this season.

The games are coming quick now and each seems to be as hard if not harder than the last. Spurs beat Man City 4-1 at White Hart Lane a few weeks ago and yet they have only won three of their nine league games. What they ensure is that they don't get beat very often and so AFCB know that they will be in a game against a side that is used to getting results. Their only league defeat has been to Man Utd back on 8 August.

These are special times for AFCB's players, but they still want to win games.

Sometimes I think it is best that the players forget their league position or points total and just go out there and perform. I'd probably give that message out to our players now. They have to be excited about playing Tottenham Hotspur and seeing if they can make it hard for a Spurs team who have players in from like Erik Lamela and Dele Alli. Harry Kane is still sitting on one goal this season and their confidence is not as sky high as some other teams having been beaten in midweek.

It's all about how AFCB play though at home. If they can dictate the game then they can get the win. These are the games that can pull them away from the bottom three. UTCIAD!