Ritchie is catching the eye

You know you must be a mad AFCB fan when you decide it is better to record the England International and sit back, and relax, rather to see how Matt Ritchie does live in Scotland's international against Denmark. Matt has always been a player that has excited fans and now he is doing it on the bigger stages and sadly for AFCB fans his quality is being recognised by some of the big clubs like Man Utd and Tottenham according to reports in the local press.

While there is not a lot the Cherries can do about the increasing interest in their right winger, it is now that the players and the fans will really see how far this team has come when the players attract bids from major clubs. If Eddie Howe thought last summer was difficult to hold on to players, he will know that it will be even harder this summer.

Matt Ritchie is still impressing when he puts on the shirt of AFCB or Scotland.

Watching Matt Ritchie take on Denmark you could see why he is already becoming central to Gordon Strachan's future plans. He has already won eight caps and is surely going to win many more. Playing in front of a half full Hampden Park, Ritchie put his first cross in from the left surprisingly but it underlined how he is confident enough to move around in the international side. Then he pounced in the seventh minute to give Scotland the lead, benefiting from the mix up between Daniel Agger and Kasper Schmeichel. It was typical Ritchie in that he was not getting the ball very often but as soon as he anticipated a chance he was there to make the most of it. Ritchie almost got his second in the 77th minute but while he met Iketchi Anya's cross with plenty of power, Andreas Christensen made a great block. Matt still received great applause when he came off in the 82nd minute, which is a bit different from the fan reactions he got after his first couple of Scottish games.

Creativity is not something that there is a lot of in the Scottish team and that is why Ritchie is a key element for Strachan. Teams like Man Utd may see that they could welcome such a player as Matt as well though and Eddie Howe is likely to have a battle to keep hold of Mr Ritchie who is one of the players who has just got better and better since joining AFCB.

Meanwhile, Max Gradel also had a good night netting for Cote D'Ivorie against Sudan. Eunan O'Kane also put in 66 minutes for the Republic of Ireland in their draw against Slovenia, while Tokelo Rantie was stretchered off in South Africa's match against Cameroon.

Watford have been getting great results but why?

I hate to say it but Watford have made a better start to Premier League life than the Cherries. Nine points from seven games is much better than many pundits would have predicted pre-season for the Hornets and their new manager is already getting high praise not only from the supporters but far further afield. Indeed, Quique Flores is hard not to like. You can see that football runs deep in his blood and that he loves the game. But he also has a calmness about him and has dealt with the press extremely well which takes a lot of the pressure off of his players.

AFCB got the better of the Hornets last time at Dean Court.

Watford’s results are proof that they are a better side than they were in the Championship. To go away and win at Newcastle and to get a draw at Goodison is down to the attacking style of play they deliver with Odion Ighalo finding the net on a regular basis. While Troy Deeney is yet to open his account, the Watford favourite and captain is no less a great finisher and AFCB fans may look in envy at the Watford strike force this weekend.

What nobody talks about though is Watford’s defence. The team has only conceded six goals from their seven games with only Man City and Everton having scored against them twice in a game. They have tightened up considerably at the back and to let in fewer than a goal a game demonstrates that they are becoming harder to breakdown. Cathcart, Prodl, Nyom and Anya have played in all their Premier League games so far from what I can see and it has clearly given them a solid base with Gomes in goal as well. Clean sheets have come at home to WBA, Southampton and Swansea which has to be seen as impressive.

So when Eddie Howe looks at Watford it won’t just be about their attack that he sees quality. The Hornets may not have been over flowing with goals but they are stopping sides from beating them more often than not, and the Cherries will need to play at a higher level than we have seen in recent weeks to get something from this game in my opinion.

I’d like to see the Cherries try and control the game in midfield and play as much as they can in the Watford half. Yet Watford are likely to want to spring attacks on the break with Anya and Abdi looking to exploit gaps. 

My prediction for AFCB's XI
Boruc (GK), Francis (RD), Cook (CD), Distin (CD), Daniels (LD), Ritchie (RM), Gosling (CM), Surman (CM), Pugh (LM), King (FW), Murray (FW)

Watford Away Form
DLW

AFCB Home Form
LDW

Ritchie is Scotland's star man against Qatar

Matt Ritchie was a starter for Scotland's friendly against Qatar at Easter Road stadium. I was pleased to see James Forrester on the left as well with Naismith leading the line and Maloney playing in behind. It was only Ritchie's third cap but he looks right in the thick of it for Scotland's Euro 2016 hopes.

This was the first ever meeting between the two sides and I suppose Scotland had no idea that Qatar would be even more in the spotlight after what happened at FIFA this last week, but there was certainly a lot of interest in what the World Cup 2022 hosts would be able to do against the Tartan Army. Some 14,000 were at the match which was also shown on TV. Ritchie started well with a ball to james Forrest that saw Scotland go close in under three minutes. Ritchie then took a free kick after five minutes from the right, but it was too close to the keeper.

Matt picked up his first international goal for Scotland yesterday against Qatar.

Matt was one of those very much driving the pace for Scotland and he was involved in pretty much everything in the first 20 minutes, while Watford's Ikechi Anya was also starting to see something of the ball. It was 10 minutes before Qatar had a chance to get something on target from a free kick and it looked like they would play on the break.

Ritchie looked much more like his usual self in the game - anticipating passes and where to be and always finding space. He looked more comfortable than when playing previously for Scotland. Even when he gave the ball away, he quickly won it back. With Ikechi Anya playing behind Ritchie, Scotland had plenty of pace on the right side. 

It was Steven Naismith he was looking most likely to score, although Charlie Mulgrew missed a good heading chance from a corner on 23 minutes. Matt popped up on the left then and quickly won a free kick. Forsyth later put in a deep cross from the right which led to Ritchie volleying wide on 25 minutes. He would have been disappointed not to have made the keeper make a save. After half an hour the game had slowed quite considerably and Qatar were getting more of the ball. Ritchie had a shot blocked after 31 minutes as Qatar plugged the holes in their defence.

The more Scotland probed the more Qatar looked like they might spring a surprise, although Fadlalla's shooting from range left a lot to be desired. Mohammed Montari of El Jaish would be the more likely to score, but Qatar were not finding him in any space. The excitement was not enough for someone as we had a streaker on the pitch after 39 minutes - someone hand that man a kilt!

Matt Ritchie's match winning strike.

Come 40 minutes though and the magic of Matt Ritchie was unleashed. While Naismith went on a string run he ran into a defender and the ball ran back out to Matt some 25 yards out and he powered it into the bottom right corner of the goal to give Scotland the lead - 1-0! Matt's first goal for Scotland was just what the game needed. In stoppage time Steven Naismith nudged a shot against the post as well.

Morrison had replaced McArthur at half time for Scotland. The second half saw both sides attacking well. Ritchie put in a good corner from the right but Naismith nodded wide. Naismith again might have won a penalty on 51 minutes but it wasn't given - a relief for Hassan Fadlalla after his challenge. Ritchie was not seeing so much of the ball but took a free kick on 56 minutes from the left where he played in the second half. There were more opportunities on the right though where Naismith hit another shot wide before the hour. Lee Griffiths then replaced him and Darren Fletcher came on for Scott Brown and Charlie Adam replaced Scott Maloney.

That was all followed by a forgettable free kick from Ritchie which went straight out. Forrest smashed a shot over then after Charlie Adam had injected a bit more quality with his passing. The game began to slow again with more subs by Qatar and frequent stoppages for offside. Ritchie wasn't as effective in this half and that may force Strachan to keep him on the right in future games. Ritchie was certainly holding his runs more as the game went on even if he did get a few crosses in.

Qatar were still trying to get an equaliser and Fadlalla again was at the centre of things getting played in behind Anya, but he did not hit his shot first time and all he got was a corner. It was James Forrest  who was next to be subbed for Derby's Johnny Russell to come on. Forrest had had a great game I thought. Ritchie immediately switched wings with Russell.

Al-Haydos reminded everyone that Qatar were still in the game forcing David Marshall to make a good save low to his right. Fadlalla also made a brilliant run beating several players to get himself in the box but could not find a finish. The game rather ran out of steam towards the end. Still it had been a good outing for Ritchie, who was man of the match, and another moral boosting win for the Scots.

Transfer gossip
In other news AFCB have been linked with a move for Portugal and Bragar striker Eder.

Premier Talk - Have Black Cats reason to be happy?

Can Ritchie force a starting place for Scotland?

Matt Ritchie is now attracting attention much further afield than on the pitch in England. His recent performances have been recognised to the extent that he has been awarded a Sky Bet Championship Award for being named in the team of the season, made up from Championship teams, and his international recognition for Scotland could be about to hit new heights with an international friendly against Qatar on 5 June in Edinburgh, and also a massive Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on 13 June at Dublin's Aviva stadium, where he could be lining up against Harry Arter.

Ritchie can be a big hit across the border.

The two matches that Matt has played for Scotland this year were against Gibraltar and Northern Ireland in March and in both games Scotland came out with a victory. So is Matt now going to get the opportunity to see if he can make the right wing position his own in the team? Ritchie played the full 90 minutes against Northern Ireland but it was just a friendly, while against Gibraltar he was substituted for Gordon Greer in the second half which was perhaps disappointing for him, but Gordon Strachan's team was 4-1 at the time and Scotland didn't need to be overly attacking in the second half. James Forrest, 23, who plays for Celtic is probably going to be his main competition for the place in the coming games and Forrest already has nine senior caps to his name.

While Matt has had lots of playing time with Simon Francis at Bournemouth it is going to take him time to get his game flowing as well when he puts on a Scotland shirt. It is a new experience, but an exciting one for him and with players like Ikchi Anya, Darren Fletcher, Jordan Rhodes, Steven Naismith and Shaun Maloney in the team, the Scots are looking like a solid and strong attacking team these days.

The aim for Matt will just be to try and make a few headlines north of the border, so that he can then be involved in the next couple of Euro 2016 qualifiers in September, when Scotland take on Gibraltar and Germany. 

Harry Arter could also be involved in the unofficial friendly at the Aviva stadium when Ireland take on Republic of Ireland, although Harry sat out training the other day with a bruised foot.

While we are talking tournaments you'll find Cherry Chimes preview of the Copa America Competition on Premier Talk. 

Cherry Chimes talks to ForzaWatford

Match Preview

AFCB v Watford

Blogger Interview: ForzaWatford

Cherry Chimes has been off talking again. Sadly Harry the Hornet was not available for comment, although I am not sure if he is still smiling with that earlier encounter this season. fair enough I say we were beaten by a better side and in the end it probably served our players well to know the standards they must obtain in this league. But I wanted an insiders view on all the going on at Watford FC of late and who better to turn to than Jamie Leah the editor of the ForzaWatford blog.

CC: Have you got over the shock of Gianfranco Zola resigning and do you think it was right for him to go or were you disappointed in him?

FW: I wouldn't say it was a shock. There was an inevitability surrounding Gianfranco Zola’s departure after a run of five successive home defeats, but it doesn’t make his decision to resign any less painful – for me at least. The Italian seemed deflated and out of ideas during that stretch and ultimately he didn’t feel like he could turn it around, hence why he handed in his resignation.

I think it’s safe to say that the majority of fans wanted Zola to turn things around and, naturally, one result in our favour would have helped his position no end, but with the players all so bereft of confidence perhaps change was necessary.

The way Zola galvanised a squad containing so many foreign imports in such a short space of time was nothing short of admirable, as was the way he conducted himself throughout his 18-month tenure at Vicarage Road. He left with class and my respect, at the very least.

CC: I know you haven't had much time with him but what have you thought of Giuseppe Sannino and his pattern of play, team selections and substitutions?

FW: Since the Pozzo family’s takeover of the club last year, Watford fans have been no strangers to Google Translate and Wikipedia. After all, 14 of the Hornets’ 18 signings last season were imported from overseas and the majority of those had never played in England. Now, for the first time, we've welcomed a foreign manager with no previous experience in English football and have had just a few games to gauge what he may – or may not – be like. Will he be up to the task of turning around our recent form (and reigniting our promotion hopes)? Only time will tell, but my initial impressions of Giuseppe Sannino are positive.

It wouldn't be fair to comment on his team selections and substitutions just yet, but it is worth noting that he's expressed a desire to create a hard-working side and to solidify the defence.

CC: Are you expecting Troy Deeney to still be at the club come February?

FW: In a word: yes. Deeney was attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs this time last year, but the loss of last season's strike partner Matej Vydra (to the Premier League) coupled with the Hornets' alarming lack of form this campaign means that the forward is unlikely to generate the same level of attention this January.

Still, though, he's continued to find the net this season and I certainly wouldn't rule out Deeney adding to his 11-goal tally on Saturday.

CC: You only just signed Alexander Merkel on loan from Udinese and Mathias Ranegie, so do you think more additions are needed this January window and if so in which positions?

FW: We're still desperate to replace Vydra's pace and goal scoring threat up front and despite our already overflowing pool of middle-men, Watford need a defensive-minded midfielder to shore things up. It's looking increasingly likely that Ghanaian international Derek Boateng will join from Fulham in order to boost his hopes of making the Black Stars' squad for the World Cup, and I'd expect another midfielder - possibly a defender, too - to join before the window closes.

CC: Do you feel the Udinese connection has been mainly helpful or is perhaps working against your team at times?

FW: The only way I feel the Udinese 'connection' is working against Watford is in terms of perception fans of other clubs have of it.

In an era where clubs are put under serious financial pressure by owners taking more and more risks in order to get to the next level, the Pozzo family have offered the Hornets the chance to achieve promotion via an alternative method, but that method - which revolves around three clubs effectively sharing one 'pool' of players - has its detractors. The Pozzos are criticised when other owners spend beyond their means and put their sides in danger, yet they have placed the club on a secure financial footing and built a competitive team on the pitch too. Work has also recently started on a much-needed fourth stand too, so I'm please to say we've had success both on the field and off it since the Pozzos' takeover.

The arrivals of highly-rated Italy Under-21 internationals such as Gabriele Angella, Davide Faraoni and Fernando Forestieri, not forgetting full international Diego Fabbrini, would simply not have been possible without our owners, so I'd certainly say our foreign connection has been a help rather than a hindrance.

Outsiders doubting the Pozzos' methods also seem to be learning that what's happening at Vicarage Road is not actually 'all that's wrong with modern football', which is always a good thing.

CC: You hammered AFCB 6-1 at home in the league and 2-0 in the cup but do you expect a tighter game at Dean Court?

FW: We've only won five league games since the 6-1 victory at Dean Court back in August, but Watford have looked relatively solid under Sannino. I definitely can't see another 6-1 win, but I think we've got enough to edge it so I'll go for a 2-1 win.

CC: Which players have continued to show good form of late at Watford?

FW: Arguably our most improved player over the course of the last year or so, Ikechi Anya's pace has provided a constant threat to opposing defences, while fan-favourite Forestieri continues to put his heart and soul into performances - even if his finishing leaves a lot to be desired!

Angella has impressed during his first season at Vicarage Road and it's probably fair to say that he could easily be playing at a higher level.

CC: As it is still all very tight, can you see Watford still making the play-offs?

FW: It's certainly possible, but I think most of our supporters just want to see a turnaround in recent form before dreaming of another play-off run.In a tight league such as the Championship, a few wins on the bounce and a team can be catapulted into contention, but the Hornets' players need to play less like individuals and more like a team if a promotion push is to happen this season. To be honest, I think we'd be better off consolidating this season before building for another crack at the Premier League.

CC: Well thank you Jamie for sparing some time to answer our questions. I believe this will be a very entertaining game with both sides known to be strong going forward. I do expect Bournemouth to be a bit more wary of Watford this time around and concentration at the back is key for the Cherries if we are to get something from this game. Please visit the ForzaWatford blog where you will be able to read more about Watford's FA Cup win and their recent game against Reading as well as much more on the goings on at the club.

Francis is leading the way

Simon Francis has already had some difficult wingers to cope with this season. He is one player who I feel has benefitted from the games against Watford in particular. Up against Ikechi Anya he had his work cut out just to try and get forward and being up against quick and gifted players has given him something more to think about, and on several occasions I watched him give his all in getting back into position to help out fellow team mates.

Since the problems that Tommy Elphick has had in getting his fitness back and getting into the team it has fallen on Simon Francis to captain AFCB on the field. It seems odd that just like last year when Miles was the captain and he dropped out of the team through injury it has happened again to the Cherries. While last season Steve Cook took on the role for much of the time, Eddie Howe has decided that Simon Francis is the best player for the job of active captain on the pitch at the moment. I still think Tommy will return, but he has his work cut out with Cook and Ward playing so well and keeping a clean sheet last game.

It is also noticeable that Francis has had a number of Bournemouth wingers playing in front of this season. Ryan Fraser has done so well in keeping wide and firing in crosses at the first opportunity that it has made it easier for Francis to support and to concentrate more on the defensive side of his game. When Coulibaly plays on the right I still expect some more to come in terms of number of crosses and consistency, but he is also a very young and lively player that will do the unusual and sometimes it will come off for him.

Francis keeps his eye on the ball.

Of course the one player we are hoping can come back soon to play with Francis is Matt Ritchie. I liked the way both of them overlapped and covered for each other last season and when they both play I think it is when AFCB is at its strongest on the right side. Francis will come up against more top class wingers in the Championship and probably knows he can get better still. I am sure that is what Eddie wants, commitment, improvement and a desire to do even better. It is no surprise really that Eddie is trusting him to lead the team out at the moment.

Hornets sting Bournemouth for six

Watford 6 v 1 AFCB

10 August 2013

Attendance 16,295

Someone got here before us!

Vicarage Road was always going to be a tough examination of AFCB's Championship credentials and in the first half I think it is more than fair to say they not only gave as good as they got but perhaps even edged the first 45 minutes. Yet, the second half turned into somewhat of a rout as Watford turned the screw by showing how Championship strikers go about their finishing work when they are presented with clear opportunities. It was not a poor AFCB performance it was an eye-opener on how good you need to be to get to the top of the league next May.

A very busy Vicarage Road.

The Cherries lined up with Grabban as a lone striker with five across the middle. But instead of protecting the back four with the more defensive-minded Hughes, Howe decided to set out his stool by including Surman instead. Thomas might have felt a bit unlucky to be on the bench but it was the sensible thing to do with this weeks events and even Pitman found himself in a supporting sub role.

Watford with Troy Deeney and Forestieri taking the challenge to the Cherries up front. Even while Deeney was to go on to score three, it was Ikechi Anya that really looked to pull the Cherries apart in my view.  

The teams are out and AFCB are in their white away kit.

Bournemouth did not start well giving a free kick away in the centre, just in front of their box, in the opening minutes. Luckily McGugan hit it straight at Allsop. What were all those words Arter said on the end of the season video about not picking up needless yellow cards? Ah, well less than three minutes in and he picked up his second in two weeks with a reckless challenge in the oppositions half.   

There is no more brighter light shining on the pitch for AFCB this season than Ryan Fraser. He was immediately into the action chasing down Watford's left winger. Watford were soon shouting for handball against Shaun MacDonald but to know avail. Keeping Deeney out of the box was already proving tricky as he picked up the odd foul.

On 9 minutes the referee decide to change the ball to lots of jeers from the crowd. I hoped it might get AFCB on the ball more and sure enough Pugh caught a defender napping and let off a shot from the left, outside the box, which went narrowly over Watford's bar, with Almunia at full stretch. Grabban then had an effort just go wide after 12 minutes, when Almunia punched out poorly after a Cook long throw. Bournemouth were starting to look more than comfortable playing their game. Grabban was particularly looking lively. 

Abdi was already supplying Anya on the left wing who saw his shot deflected for a corner. Form the resulting corner Watford went one up as Angella seemed to whip the ball home, on 13 minutes, when AFCB had been slow to clear the danger. The signs were already there that Francis was going to have a hard working day battling against Anya.

Grabban got a shot off after a Surman pass that the keeper turned away for a corner. The move had included Arter, Daniels Pugh and Fraser in what was probably AFCB's best bit of play up until then. The corner saw Arter dummy the ball near the centre spot an Grabban looked favourite to slot it home, but he hit a defender before Pugh shot over.

Bournemouth had another corner from the left on 20 minutes when Grabban shot wide. Watford were strong on the counter with Deeney striking well over a couple of minutes later. At the other end the Cherries were screaming for a penalty as Ryan Fraser went down from Casetti's challenge in the box, but too softly according to the ref! Grabban was almost through a moment later and Cook's long throws to Elliott Ward were giving Almunia some uncomfortable moments with Arter having a subsequent shot blocked.

It was at this point that Harry the Hornet (Watford's mascot) got his big drum out as the home crowd support was virtually non-existent. All it seemed to do was raise AFCB's game as Fraser went close with a near post effort that Almunia was thankful to grab hold of safely. 

Eddie Howe was looking calm but resplendent in his red top on the touch line as Bournemouth looked to press again. Fraser this time whipped in the ball right across the six yard area and it was a simple tap in for Grabban to bring the Cherries level at 1:1 after some 30 minutes.

Grabban was causing some problems now and was almost in again but had to settle for a corner. Fraser too was probably one of Bournemouth's liveliest players. Since the equaliser went in Bournemouth were certainly in the ascendancy with the way supporters cheering them on. The ball was being passed quickly and it was Watford now doing the chasing. Arter had his shot deflected on 40 minutes, but for the next few moments it was Watford's Forrestieri and McGugan on the left that were giving Francis a tough time. The breakaway was led by Surman who had opportunities to threaten but it fizzled out for another Cook long throw.

It was back down the other end again as Faraoni brought out a good save from Allsop. Deeney then tried to thread his way through on the edge of Bournemouth's box and when he had a shot it must have hit the hand of a white shirt's hand as Watford werr awarded a fdangerously positioned free kick, with seconds to go before half time. Abdi took the kick but it was straight at Allsop. The score at half time then was 1:1.

Harry the Hornet did his best to get Watford fans singing.

Second Half

There was no need to change things at half time. Bournemouth were playing well. The Hornet's came out in the second half playing a few more long balls and looking to get AFCB defenders to turn more. Long balls were fired into Deeney, one which almost resulted in Foresiteri sneaking in a good shot but it was blocked by Francis and cannoned up into the air for Allsop to claim easily. Again Deeney was picked up with a long diagonal ball. It looked a definite plan of action or instruction from Zola at half time. Meanwhile, Faraoni found himself in the book after chopping Arter down on 48 minutes. 

Pugh tried a good 1-2 with Grabban but his shot was deflected. Watford were soon back on the long ball and when Francis came across with a shoulder barge to ensure the ball would run out before Faraoni,  I think it was, could make anything of it. The ref blew for an unfair challenge. The free kick seemed harsh but from it, Angella rose well above every one else, on the far post, and headed home to make it 2:1 on 53 minutes.

Howe immediately made a sub with Daniels being replaced by Ian Harte. Moments later it was Deeney celebrating as he raced into the box on the left holding off Cook to place a shot across Allsop and into the bottom corner on 56 minutes. the game had turned an instance to become 3:1 and the Bournemouth players were left wondering exactly what had hit them. 

There was no respite now, Watford were in full flow with AFCB players looking stretched all over the pitch. Deeney had another shot blocked while Forestieri had the confidence to go for an overhead kick that Allsop saved. Watford were breaking at pace with Anya blazing down the left before hitting a shot just inches wide of the left upright.

Bournemouth brought on Pitman for MacDonald on 61 minutes when perhaps they would have been better trying to stem the flow with a more defensive player. But that just wasn't in Howe's thinking. He wanted to go and score and make it a real knockout contest. Anya now was exploiting the space and giving Francis a lot of work.

Watford took off Faraoni and brought on Pudil on 65 minutes. Anya linked up with McGugan then on right side and McGugan made it 4:1 with more clinical finishing on 66 minutes.

AFCB did not give up fighting and Pugh was next to fire a ball across the Watford penalty area. With the home support remaining quiet it was time for the Seasiders to remind them that they were winning 4: 1. Only Harry the Hornet seemed to realise this.

On 68 minutes Watford replaced Forestieri with Fabbrini and AFCB brought on O'Kane for Pugh. Arter by now was clearly annoyed and banged a shot high and wide into the Rookery End stand. Anya thought he would try his luck on the other side of the pitch as he had tormented Francis enough.

O'Kane was busying himself in midfield and keeping the Cherries ticking over. Pitman too was industrious when he came on. When Arter was caught on 75 minutes play slowed and Watford made another sub with McGugan off and Battocchio coming on. Fraser then picked up a head injury.

Watford were still going forward and Anya fired another shot that Allsop had to save. At the other end Bournemouth were getting more desperate to get another goal and Fraser almost supplied the perfect ball in for Surman but, when it seemed easier to score than miss, the ball was somehow deflected for a corner on 80 minutes.

Ward was doing his best to keep Deeney quiet at the other end while Casetti picked up a yellow for a challenge on Arter in the centre circle on 86 minutes. The game was coming to an end with 88 minutes gone, but Watford still had some more surprises for AFCB with Ward making a clearance that only found Deeney, who then danced around the edge of the box before letting go with a stunning shot that smashed in off the right post, having split a couple of players almost clean in two. 

Just to rub AFCB faces in it, the four minutes of extra time did not pass quietly either. Cook was adjudged to bring down Fabbrini unfairly in the box and it was left for troy Deeney to step up and claim his hat-trick as Allsop was sent the wrong way from the 12 yard spot.


Summary
The score line of 6:1 says AFCB took a real hammering and any one reading teh result would say AFCB could not have been in this game. But that is far from the truth. Bournemouth were very much in the match with 50 minutes gone and if there is a lesson to be learnt it is not to give needless free kicks away firstly. There were several in the game including one in the opening minutes while another led to Watford's second goal. The opposition are going to try and turn our defenders and in the second half there were too many gaps to plug when balls were sent long and  in between our centre halves and full backs. A scoreline of 3:1 would perhaps be more a reflection on how I thought we competed, but it was six. Some of that is down to not making the right decisions at the back on occasions. However, AFCB were up against some of the best attacking players in the division and it does make me feel that the leadership of Tommy Elphick would be a big help min our next game against Wigan. I can't blame Allsop for any of the goals and I hope his confidence will be okay.

Let's put this one behind us. Watford are a good team that will be fighting for promotion and now we know what the standard must be when we play away from home. UTCIAD.  

AFC Bournemouth
Allsop, Francis, Cook, Ward, Daniels (Harte 55), Fraser, Arter, MacDonald (Pitman 61), Surman, Pugh (O'Kane 69), Grabban.

AFCB Subs: Flahavan, Hughes, Okane, Harte, Pitman, Thomas, Stockley. 

Goals: Grabban (30)

Player Ratings
Allsop 6, Francis 6, Cook 5, Ward 5, Daniels 5, Arter 5, Fraser 7, MacDonald 5, Surman 5, Pugh 5, Grabban 7. 


Watford 
Almunia, Angella, Doyle, Casetti, McGugan (75 Battocchio), Faraoni (65 Pudil), Anya, Abdi, Iriney, Deeney, Forestieri (68 Fabbrini).

Watford Subs: Bond, Ekstrand, Pudil, Battocchio, Acuna, Fabbrini, Smith. 


Goals:Angella (13, 53), Deeney (56, 88,90), McGugan (66).