"Something needs to change quickly," says Steve Cook

"Awful. Our worst Premier league performance," said Steve Cook to BBC Radio Solent's Kris Temple. A lack of spark and individual errors are a major cause of the problems Cook feels, but the team is finding it hard to drag themselves out of the whole they have been digging for themselves.

Steve Cook walks off after warming up for the Watford game.

The words of Steve Cook were blunt, but probably need saying in the dressing room as well as in public. The players know that they are under performing and they are not happy about it. Acknowledging that is at least a start, AFCB's players need to believe they are making it tougher on themselves than they could be and if they can cut out the short passes, the lapses of concentration and complacency when they are not in possession they just might be able to start building something. That's the real shame of this season so far – Bournemouth have not looked like scoring.

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I looked on with some dismay that Callum Wilson was still looking down on proceedings from the hospitality suites at Dean Court. Along with Junior Stanislas, Eddie Howe could do with having such firepower options available to him. Instead he has; Jermain Defoe who is not considered to be ready to play 90 minutes, Josh King who is not yet charging at defences, Benik Afobe who needs a goal to get him going and Lys Mousset who is lucky to get 10 minutes.

It's not an attack that is worrying defences. Bournemouth need to get these forward players on the ball more often and get their number of touches going up. It's only when they start seeing that they are troubling defences that they will start believing that they can score. 

Most of the match against Watford saw plenty of Bournemouth possession, but how much of it was in Watford's box? And even when it was there, how often did Huerhelo Gomes have to make a save? Well, it was just two shots on target from the Cherries – the same as in the WBA match.

The Cherries have to find their ruthless streak

Like many of you, I was feeling that the Cherries would get a massive three points from the Watford match when a late penalty had been awarded much to the disgust of the Hornets. That Glenn Murray did not score is bad luck or great play on the part of Gomes, but the Cherries can't afford to drop two points at home when they are on offer like that. Everyone knows it and for that reason that particular match is somewhat more frustrating than when the team lost all three points away at Norwich. It's not impossible to make up for the shortfall in points but it does mean that AFCB have to find more of a ruthless streak in their finishing if they are to win more games.

Marc Pugh has been chipping in with goals early on this season. 

How to put teams away was always going to be more of a challenge at this level. The team is creating several chances but the finishing has to be spot on virtually every time or at least on target more often if the Cherries are going to recover points against the better sides. I would not say that a flood of goalscoring chances have gone begging yet, but the need to get shots off is still something that frustrates a little when watching the red and black shirts. I'm hoping that we might see some more eagerness and shoot on site policy coming into play soon, and while I believe that will be helped by Mr Arter's eventual return, we still have a few players looking to get off the mark this season. Harry managed 57 minutes at Colchester last night as his recovery gathers pace, but the U21s lost 3-0 on the night with Yann Kermorgant also getting a run out.

Without Wilson I believe their should be more onus on all the players to try and contribute to the goal tally, and I guess the amount of deflected goals that a team scores is a good indicator of players that are shooting on site and perhaps getting lucky. I'm not sure if AFCB's goals have been anything more than clean strikes though and that probably tells its own story. 

Finally, it's worth having a look at ITV 4 tonight where Josh King might be involved in Italy v Norway Euro qualifier. All Departments has also released a new podcast with Luther Blissett - Goal Machine. Visit All Departments' website to listen or scroll down Cherry Chimes' rightside panel to tune in.

Cherry Chimes talks to From The Rookery End blog

Rival Lines
Watford v AFCB
Blogger Interview: From The Rookery End

The matches are coming quickly now and this Saturday it's the turn of AFCB to visit Watford who sit high up in third place in the Championship. Cherry Chimes asked some questions a few days ago to Jon Moonie who is one of the main writers on From the Rookery End. The interview took place before the news that Oscar Garcia had become ill and we wish him a very speedy recovery.

CC: How do you think Watford fans will have judged Beppe's Sannino's time in charge at Watford and his sudden departure?

FTRE: We'll remember him as a man who did a job, but not quite up to the big job! In our little Watford bubble. In fact, we thought it would have happened in the summer!

CC: Do you expect to see a different 'attacking' style of football under Oscar Garcia and do you think he can do better than he did at Brighton with the play-offs?

FTRE: Unsure what Oscar's tactics will be, but he's got a stonking squad compared to Brighton. His hospital visit this week means he hasn't had lots of time to put his mark on the squad.

CC: How do you feel Lloyd Dyer, Heurelho Gomez and Gabriel Tamas are fitting in so far?

FTRE: Dyer has shone when played, but not been that many chances. Gomez is great in goal and a great celebrator. Tamas "the nutter" adds a little of fight in the defence - which still needs help!

CC: The new summer signings at the club belong to the previous regime but do you feel the side is stronger than last season and do you expect Garcia to be given more funds in January?

FTRE: They aren't part of a previous regime, they were part of the owners network - Beppe didn't pick them. Oscar won't be given money, we're part of something much bigger!

CC: Which game has been the most pleasing to see so far this season?

​​FTRE: The first game v Bolton and it being a great win! Rotherham away was a battling win, which we didn't have a lot of last season.

CC: What is the main feeling about the new East stand at Vickerage Road?

FTRE: It's new and we have a complete stadium - WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!

CC: You managed to keep to Troy Deeney with his new 4-year contract, was that a surprise?

FTRE: A little yes, but not jaw dropping. He knows that the owners are behind this team and he knows where he could be king!!

CC:  As the Watford v Bournemouth game is on TV and an early kick off, do Watford usually do well in front of the SkySports' cameras that you can recall?

FTRE: We had a good run a few years back, but it wasn't good last season.

CC: How important do you think it is for Garcia to get off to a good start against AFCB at home?

FTRE: It's no different to any new manager - but he may not be there to take full charge!

CC: Do you know of any injuries and players unlikely to make the team against the Cherries?

FTRE: Troy hobbled off on Tuesday! #prayfortroy

CC: Have you heard of any special match or tribute to be paid to Manuel Almunia ...perhaps an Arsenal v Watford game would be good?

FTRE: No, but the remembers co display will be spectacular!!

Thank you Jon for taking part in Rival Lines - you can catch up with more Watford views including podcasts at From the Rookery End. I'll be taking in Sky coverage of the game having seen enough of Harry the Hornet last season in both the League cup and the away league fixture. I am hoping that the Cherries give Watford their hardest game of the season so far as AFCB already need to claw back a few points. UTCIAD!

Don't forget to visit Free Bet Negotiator if you are going to make some big score predictions this weekend so that you get some vouchers for future bets. I reckon Ritchie will be a good bet for AFCB's first goal and his opener for the season - who do you go for?