Stanislas might be out but AFCB have players back for Luton game

The match against Luton couldn't have come at a much better time for one of AFCB's winger that comes to mind. With Junior Stanislas being out for a month it is perhaps an opportunity for Danjuma or Riquelme to get a run of games.

Tindall may change his defence for this game.

Jason Tindal was keeping his cards close to his chest on whether Chris Mepham or Arnaut Danjuma would be back for the Luton game. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jack Stacey are also possibly in contention to be in the squad. But it is noticeable that Jason said Josh King was looking sharp in training. That could mean that Bournemouth start with King and Solanke if Danjuma is perhaps not quite ready.

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With Dan Gosling being out for another week at least, there is still interest in getting Jack Wilshere to sign, but Tindall hasn't said much apart from he'd like to do a deal.

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Tindall felt that it didn't matter that Bournemouth had played against Luton recently. While he talked of the tough schedule when the team played Luton last time, the pitch at Kenilworth Road wasn't great and Bournemouth ran out of ideas to some extent. That can't be repeated now. Bournemouth should have more awareness of Luton's weaknesses.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 

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Bournemouth's problem is still consistency. The team needs to settle down a bit more in the names being picked and the performances have perhaps been better than the points accumulated. With only three defeats and nine draws. It's the draw that have been damaging compared to Swansea and Norwich who have drawn fewer games. Tindall will feel he has done. good job. The reality is that he needs to get AFCB into the automatic promotion places and the players will be aware of this.

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The early part of the season has seen the introduction of lots of new players which is great as they can now be turned to if needed. But Jason should know his best team now and I want to see it on the pitch and delivering solid performances. I am not sure that all the best players are yet available though to Tindall.

Possible AFCB lineup

AFCB Subs: Dennis, Simpson, Stacey, Billing, Danjuma,
Kilkenny, Riquelme, Surridge, Anthony

AFCB Home Form
WLWWD

Luton Away Form
LLDLL

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth can't afford to drop more points against Luton

Has Jack Stacey made the right-back position his alone?

Watching Bournemouth in recent games there has been one fairly consistent choice for the right-back position. Jack Stacey has pretty much made the position his own. That might have been helped by Adam Smith playing more games on the left-side, but with Simon Francis departed and no other similar players for AFCB, the right-back position is pretty much the first name we can fill in every match for Bournemouth.

Jack Stacey is one of AFCB's most consistent players

That might seem great from a point of consistency but it does make me nervous about the thought of what happens if Stacey is out for any amount of time? Sure Adam Smith can play there, but he has even more of a poor injury record and at some point Bournemouth could be without both players. While Tindall has liked to play three at the back this might not have been such a big worry for him, but it would limit how the Cherries could play I think if Stacey was out of action for any length of time.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 

- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

It is not just that he is a regular figure in the side, he is one of the most creative players and that is saying something for a defender. He has great pace and has been Bournemouth's most productive crossers of a ball. He may not put many high balls in the box, but his low drives across the area are very much in demand for the strikers when they can get on the end of them and Stacey himself is always eager to get on the far post when crosses are coming in from the left side.

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Jack is certainly settled now into how Bournemouth play and I think his game has added variety in the way Bournemouth can attack teams. He is also quick at getting back to guard against opposition wingers and he doesn't get caught out too often. What I'd like to see is him play with David Books pretty much all the time, so they can get a better understanding. But Tindall has to judge how many games Brooks can play, and after an international week like this current period, I can see why he might look to get Junior Stanilas a run of game son the right, playing in front of Stacey. 

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What I can't see is any need to lessen Stacey's minutes on the pitch which may mean he is going to be one of AFCB's mist hardest worked players this season.

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Previous post on Chery Chimes - Has Steve Cook made a good return to the Championship

How does Howe set up to get a clean sheet?

Bournemouth have not managed to get a clean sheet this calendar year and the next fixture represents a good opportunity to get one on the board with Crystal Palace the visitors. Palace have scored 26 goals this season, which is less than one a game.

Bournemouth have to play their A game now, there are no more chances.

Bournemouth still have some excellent defenders. I would like to see Jack Stacey continue as the right back, as he gets forward so well and has been getting in on the assist act, which has been more difficult for creative players like Ryan Fraser, Harry Wilson and Junior Stanislas. But I would like to see change at left back. 

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It's not that I don't think Adam Smith is capable of playing well there, but he doesn't give the team the right balance that a left footed player can give and Diego Rico hasn't done much wrong this season, despite being out of favour. Meanwhile, Lloyd Kelly could be a surprise pick and could add some youthful energy. While I expect Eddie may well stick with Adam Smith, I can't help but feel it is a slight weakness in the back four on the left side.

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What is the best back four available to Howe? I suppose Daniels, Aké and Steve Cook have to be the picks, along with Stacey now. But if it is Smith, Aké, Cook and Stacey – can they get a clean sheet ? Yes, if everyone plays their part. The concentration has to be better than it has been and I hope Aaron Ramsdale is allowed to kick long, when he sees the need to break any press from Palace on our defenders. 

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If Bournemouth can minimise the risks at the back and work hard on getting a clean sheet, they can get the perfect result on Saturday. They need the win to get their belief up and to put pressure on other teams - it's going to be a very exciting and nervous game for AFCB fans.

Injury doubts for AFCB - David Brooks hand injury, Philip Billing Ankle injury.

Form doesn't mean much coming into this game but here it is:
Crystal Palace Away
DDDLW

AFCB Home
DLWWD

Is Jack Stacey ready to dominate AFCB's right-back position?

While Simon Francis still has days when he is happy to fill in at his old right-back position, there is a new king in town and he is called Jack Stacey. Simon Francis may hope to still get games at centre-half, but his time of flying down the right wing are probably over. AFCB have adequate cover with Adam Smith and Jack Stacey, and now it looks like Jack Stacey is going to be the player to dominate at right-back for some time to come.

Jack Stacey can make the right-back spot his own.

I wasn't too sure about how Stacey was getting on when he first came to AFCB. He was stepping up two leagues and he had a lot to learn very quickly. But in recent games he has been pretty much outstanding, when he has played, and he has become an excellent first-time crosser of the ball, which is starting to bring him assists.

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Even so, Stacey has only made 12 league appearances this season. It has been a transition season for him where he has started to get used to the pace and physicality of the top league. Now he looks more in control and assured in his game, and his first thought is usually to try and get forward in support. Eddie Howe has already started to mould him into an attacking right-back, and the omens are good for Stacey to see further improvement.

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He reads the line well and is usually not the player to be caught out by keeping a player on side. His speed is good enough to get back when he has been caught out and he keeps things simple. Stacey is probably AFCB's best signing since David Brooks, and it demonstrates that Bournemouth can still find players in League One, and the Championship, who can take less than a season to step their game up to the top level.

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In other news, a night of celebration was epic to relive on AFCB's YouTube channel on Monday with the replay of AFCB v Bolton Wanderers from 2015, and the knowledge that Premier League football was pretty much guaranteed with just a game to play.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Is Stanislas a player likely to leave AFCB?

AFCB make loss of £32.4m in annual accounts ending 30 June 2019

The accounts for AFCB make poor reading with a financial loss of £32.4m n the accounting period ending 30 June 2019. This is on top of a loss of £10.9m in the previous financial year. While much of the investment has been spent on player signings, which rose to £94.2m last year compared to £55.8m the year before, it does indicate that the Cherries have spent more than they perhaps should have to be competitive in the Premier League. This kind of spending is unsustainable in the long-term and AFCB are again playing the roulette wheel in my opinion. 

AFCB need to get their finances in order.

The player and staff wages have risen significantly at £110.9 compared to £101.9m in FY18. The club did not disclose how much money was paid to agents during the period. The income of the club was largely dependent on their league position finish which was  14th and landed the club with £131.1m in FY19 down from £134.9m on FY18. But non-Premier League revenue was virtually stable at £15.5m.

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The club's Chief executive Neil Blake stressed that £22.6m profit did come into the club shortly after the accounting period closed on player sales, but even that would still show AFCB has been prepared to take a loss of over £10m for the past two seasons to keep its Premier League status. 

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What happens if the club goes down to the Championship with a parachute payment and a need to recoup funds with player sales? The club did not reveal whether it is in debt and if so by how much, but most of its assets are on the playing field and we could see many players need to leave if the club is relegated. The only problem is that those market values won't be as high as if the club remains in the top flight.

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Spending big might have kept the club growing, but this season it hasn't resulted in better results. The signing of Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Lloyd Kelly in the last 12-18 months and the sale of Lys Mousset doesn't bode me with great confidence about recruitment and player sales, even if the purchase of Jack Stacey and the sale of Tyrone Mings can be considered better decisions. The direction of player spending perhaps needs to change very quickly. That is why the new training complex is vital to bring players through and to reduce the player transfer fees. The model AFCB has works okay when the big money continues to come in, but it could leave the club having to face the music next season if things don't go according to plan on the pitch. The new stadium idea certainly looks a distant pipe dream with these kind of financial results.

NB. I am self-isolating at the moment having picked up a chest infection and high-temperature. I'm over the worst but I advise others to self-isolate if they feel any flu-like symptoms as soon as they can for the sake of the elderly and those with underlying conditions. We'll beat this. UTCIAD!

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Howe can only concentrate on his players and preparing for Newcastle United

Howe has to tell his players that Liverpool are beatable

Plying Liverpool after their first league defeat is probably not what Eddie Howe would have wanted. We could see an enraged Liverpool go about their task to demolish their next opponents. But the fact that Liverpool know they got it wrong against Watford and could do so again, against another bottom half team gives Bournemouth players more than a glimmer of hope that they can be the second team in a league match to inflict an unexpected win against the Champions in making.

Eddie will have watched Liverpool's defeats closely to look for common weaknesses.

Doing it against Liverpool at Anfield would be just about the biggest win of Eddie Howe's career if it were to happen. Jurgen Klopp is pretty much unbeatable at home and just staying in the game has to be Howe's first motivation for his players. Watford beat Liverpool with their wingers causing trouble on both sides, and I get the impression that Howe will try and do something similar. We have seen how effective Jack Stacey was against Chelsea and Howe just needs something similar on the left side. Liverpool are not a side that you can just attack one side, it has to be an attempt to keep them guessing at to which side of the pitch the attacks are coming down.

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We have seen that it is possible to take the game to Liverpool. They can be made to defend. It is a shame it is not an evening game, as I think a night when it is a special atmosphere brings the best out in Bournemouth. The knowledge that every point earned could save them from relegation though should make the match as exciting as it needs to be for our players, and even though they can't now be the first to beat Liverpool they can be the first to do it at Anfield this season.

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Beating Liverpool will need a special performance. But the proof that it can be done has been given now and Bournemouth's players know that they are up against 11 other players and not some super human's who don't make mistakes. Liverpool's fans will be wanting and demanding a return to winning ways, but that could just make Liverpool slightly gung-ho at home which could also play into Bournemouth's hands.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - What's going on in the last 10 minutes of games for Bournemouth?

Stacey impact is well-timed

Quite a few fans were unsure as to who most deserved the man of the match against Chelsea. I have no problems with those who felt Jack Stacey's contribution was the most significant, even if I gave the man of the match to Jefferson Lerma for getting the ball rolling in Bournemouth's favour.

Jack Stacey has suddenly stepped up to the grade AFCB need.

Jack Stacey has made the right back position his. To move Adam Smith from there shows that he has been doing something special in training and on Saturday we saw it with our eyes as he belted down the right wing to provide overlap after overlap. His crossing was spot on for Philip Billing in the opening minutes of the match, and for the second goal he made a cross that was precision perfect for Josh King to just run into the net, knowing that he had timed his run to stay onside.

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If Jack can keep providing that kind of service, then Bournemouth will start scoring more than a goal a game, which is what they really need now. Stacey might not have been seen as a main weapon, but perhaps he has been watching what Trent Alexander-Arnold has been doing at Liverpool and has picked up a few tips. The game on Saturday will be harder for hime to make such an impact, but if he can force Andrew Robinson to defend a little more often than he'd like then Bournemouth will be in the game. Jermaine Jenas pointed out how well Jack had played on Match of the Day, and considering that Jack hasn't played much this season it was certainly his best game in a Bournemouth shirt against Chelsea.

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Jack now has to be consistent and that s not easy against a team like Liverpool. He can take great confidence though from his game against Chelsea. He should have had a couple of assists, but for Billing's poor shooting and we know that Jack has a shot on him himself, which we might start to see now that he knows he is playing well.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Billing has to do better in front of goal

VAR sickener form the Cherries at Burnley as two goals disallowed

Match Report

Burnley v AFCB

22 February 2020

Attendance: 18,227

Another big day for VAR.

VAR had the biggest say in Bournemouth's match against Burnley. Chances fell to Callum Wilson and Matej Vydra in the first few minutes, but the shock of the first half was to see a Bournemouth Josh King goal ruled out by VAR for the ball previously coming off Billing's shoulder. Vydra had other chances to score as Francis struggled to keep him at bay, but so did Harry Wilson and Jack Stacey who couldn't beat Nick Pope, so it was 0-0 at half-time. That was nothing to the second half with Vydra putting the Clarets in front before Harry Wilson thought he had equalised, only to find that Adam Smith had made a handball in the build up and a penalty was awarded to Burnley with Jay Rodriguez making it 2-0. The game had gone and Burnley made sure with a late third goal from McNeil which was the pick of the goals. Even VAR hates Bournemouth now.

More bad news on the injury front saw Jefferson Lerma out with a back injury and Nathan Aké missing out having been concussed in mid-week training. Bournemouth really weren't helping themselves, but Steve Cook was back, while Rico was dropped to the bench to enable Jack Stacey to come in with Adam Smith moving to left back. Josh King also replaced Ryan Fraser on the left wing.

Burnley had their own problems with Chris Woods and Ashley Branes missing out but they brought in Jay Rodrigues and Matej Vydra.

It was a really gusty day at Turf Moor and Bournemouth could expect to be tested under the high ball with plenty of crosses aimed at Rodriguez. A former Burnley player' Brian Pilkington's life was celebrated with a minutes applause.

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Match Description
Bournemouth started well enough with plenty of touches at the back. Gosling played a good ball into Callum Wilson and he crossed for King, but was just kept off the ball. A snap shot from Calum Wilson is just saved by Pope's outstretched foot. Great start from the Cherries.

King is getting plenty of the ball on the left but is held up by two Burnley defenders. Adam Smith is bringing the ball out well. Bournemouth are looking to pinch the ball whenever they can. McNeil to Rodriguez and Francis blocks for a corner.

Stacey does well to stop Burnley's McNeil on the left wing. Stacey puts a cross in but Billing doesn't connect well.

A mess between Bournemouth defenders, Billing and Stacey looked at each other and Cork has a shot from 20 yards saved by Ramsdale. Sloppy from Bournemouth.

Francis gets it all wrong against Vydra who is in behind and beats Steve Cook but Ramsdale makes an amazing save on 11 minutes, down to his left. Bournemouth were far too open and we know Vydra has the pace to trouble Francis.

Harry Wilson does well to win possession. Simon Francis and Steve Cook look nervous at the back though and concede another corner. Surman puts it out for another corner. Bardsley goes through the back of Callum Wilson and is lucky to get away without a card.

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Stacey has a head injury. Harry Wilson as a drop shot but it's well wide on 18 minutes. Billing flows forward and has a shot deflected off Tarkowski for a corner on 21 minutes. It's in the cross from Surman went right across the six yard box and as it got flicked on by Billing and King could stab the ball home 0-1.

No, it's disallowed by VAR. Looks like Billing's shoulder but a very harsh decision on Bournemouth. It looked ball to shoulder and not shoulder to ball.

Cross from King and Harry Wilson heads it straight at Nick Pope! Bournemouth have had three great chances to be ahead, but haven't taken any of them. Bournemouth have at least been making chances.

Stacey wins a corner. Surman has a shot blocked. Callum Wilson can't get a shot away. Surman makes a mistake with Stacey on half way but McNeil can't make the most of it.

Gosling just gets back in time to take the ball off of Vydra as he cut in past Steve Cook. Bournemouth are starting to lose the ball in areas where they are under little pressure, it's careless. King wins a free kick against Bardesley.

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Billing tackles back but has given a free kick away. Steve Cook struggles to get the ball away with the ball flicking off the defender's right hand. Vydra is offside with a ball over the top.

King in the left to Stacey and the shot is saved by Pope at his left post. At the other end Ramsadale has to come out to stop Vydra, Francis headed it backwards straight to Vydra.

Ramsdale makes a punch. Burnley getting some possession as the first half come towards a close. Francis is booked, taking down Vydra, two minutes to half -time. The ball is deflected for a corner. Ramsdale catches cleanly.

A long shot from McNeil is held by Ramsdale. More blocks by Bournemouth defenders. It's a free kick to Bournemouth. Just one minute of added time.

AFCB possession 60%, Shots 8, Shots on target 3, Fouls 2
Burnley possession 40%, Shots 7, Shots on target 4, Fouls 4

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Second half
Francis skies a clearance. The wind is against Bournemouth this half. Gosling wins the ball well. Adam Smith gets a cross in which is knocked behind by McNeil for a corner to Bournemouth.

Taylor wins a Burnley corner. Surman heads it out on the near post. Bournemouth clear again. Callum Willson wins a soft foul. Bournemouth needed some possession. Pope punches clear.

Vydra on the break has cut inside Francis and shoots past Ramsdale it's 1-0 to Burnley on 52 minutes. VAR is reviewing the goal for a possible offside. The goal has been given. Francis just out played and over committed.

Bournemouth have to come out now. A shot from Gosling is held by Poe low to his left. Tarkowski now plays for time to slow the game down.

Callum Wilson breaks free and Harry Wilson has scored through the legs to make it 1-1 on 57 minutes, it's another VAR check. Did Adam Smith handball it? The goal has been disallowed and it's a penalty to Burnley. Ramsdale is beaten by Jay Rodrigues from the spot 2-0 on the hour.

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Bardsley is booked for a foul on Josh King. Bournemouth prepare a double sub. Fraser and Stanislas are coming on. A shot from Westwood is held by Ramsdale.

Burnley win a corner off Steve Cook. Surnam and Josh King are replaced on 70 minutes. Billing concedes a free kick and Ramsdale saves from Rodriguez, down to his right.

Ramsdale against Rodriguez one-on-one but Ramsdlae wins the battle and stands big.  Steve Cook was beaten by the pass and Rodriguez should have scored.

Harry Wilson is subbed fir Solanke on 74 minutes. Solanke makes a block from Jack Cork. Another chance for Burnley and Vydra has missed at the far post. Hendrick made the play from teh right and it came across the box and it was a tap in for Vydra really.

It's becoming end to end now.  Just 10 minutes to go. A strike from McNeil and he's hit the post from 25 yards. Burnley sub Vydra from Lennon on 82 minutes. Lennon is carded for fouling Surman.

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Lennon gets a cross in, but Bournemouth get it clear. Billing loses the ball. Bournemouth keep losing possession and this time they are punished as McNeil breaks and fires in a third on 87 minutes 3-0 to Burnley.

Another yellow card is handed out to Hendrick on Fraser. It's all kicking off with Adam Smith going in on Tarkowski. A yellow card to Adam Smith.

Burnley sub Cork and McNeil and on come Brownhill and Bradey on 90+1 minutes. Four minutes of added time are being played. Stacey is in and crosses and Callum Wilson has fired wide from six yards!

Solanke is taken down by Ben Mee on the edge of the box. Mee is yellow carded. Stanislas will take the free kick. It goes wide and that's it.

Summary
Bournemouth won't have many more painful games than this one. The score line was unjust, but Bournemouth didn't take their chances and VAR came in to sweep the game away from the Cherries. At the end of the day the Cherries had no luck and while as fans we can be encouraged by the first half performance. Football is cruel sometimes and Bournemouth simply have to recover better than they did in this game.

AFCB Starting line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Rico, Simpson, L Cook, Stanislas, Fraser, Solanke

AFCB Ratings:
Ramsdale 8, Stacey 6, Francis 3, S Cook 5, A Smith 6, H Wilson 5, Gosling 4, Surman 5, Billing 4, King 7, C Wilson 5

Burnley

1 Pope, 26 Bardsley, 5 Tarkowski, 6 Mee, 3 Taylor, 13 Hendrick, 18 Westwood,
4 Cork (Brownhll 90+1), 11 McNeil (Bradey 90+1), 19 Rodriguez, 27 Vydra (Lennon 82)

Burnley Subs: 
20 Hart, 7 Gudmundsson, 8 Brownhill, 12 Brady, 23 Pieters, 25 Lennon, 28 Long

Cherry Chimes MoM: Aaron Ramsdale


Ref Watch: Mike Dean 5/10 A hard game to referee but the decisions were largely taken out of his hands. A few more yellow cards may perhaps escaped him though.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can Bournemouth get their first away win of 2020?

Congratulations Tyson Fury - WBC, Ring and Lineal Heavy Weight Champion of the World!

Fellow football fan link
AFC Wimbledon are trying to get back to Plough Lane. They have launched the PloughLaneBond scheme to try and raise funds.

Bournemouth's defence doesn't need a big rethink

There should be some criticism given to the defence and for the players not blocking the cross for Burnley's winner. As a whole I wouldn't say, it was a bad defensive game against the Clarets, but one moment cost Bournemouth the game in just the minute when you'd expect senses to be at their most alert not to concede.

Will AFCB change to a back three or could Steve Cook even come back into the team

I don't see many changes in Bournemouth's defence unless Steve Cook feels able enough to play against Arsenal. If he can't believe he can take a blow to his wrist though it would be better for him to wait a bit longer. A fit Steve Cook in January is better than a cautious or worried Steve Cook playing in December.

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Mepham and Francis have done pretty well. Francis will have some swelling no doubt around his head injury but if he can still head the ball then he should be okay to play. If not, then Eddie still has Jack Simpson on the bench.

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Not much has been said about Jack Stacey as he goes about his business quietly. We may see Adam Smith come back into contention soon, but Jack has been doing okay and just needs to keep thinking about his positioning. Rico on the left will miss out against Arsenal having received his fifth suspension. It is possible that Eddie could go for a back three to negate the lack of natural left back. In which case we could see Simpson, Mepham and Francis at the back.

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It isn't a major rethink but Stacey could be the unlucky one to miss out, but I fee Stacey has done enough to keep his place.

Possible AFCB line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, S Cook, Simpson, Surman, Kilkenny, Dobre, Solanke