How do Bournemouth get it right against Southampton?

Bournemouth know what they have to do now after the result between West Ham and Watford. Whatever the result they know they would really need to get something against Southampton, and a win would be the best way to give them a chance of an incredible escape. But how does Eddie Howe ensure that he gets a result similar to the last home game rather than a flop like the players had against Newcastle or Crystal Palace?

Bournemouth have work to do.

The mood of the players has certainly changed and being in the right mindset counts for a lot. The players need to envisage the goals going in and playing confidently as they did when they last played Southampton. Of course, the Saints would like nothing better than revenge. Their fans don't call this a derby, well this weekend they will be happy to call it a derby if they send Bournemouth down. So, it will be painful to lose this game even if Bournemouth might get another chance against Everton to save themselves. Bournemouth must leave out everything on the pitch and look to do the double over Southampton.

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Eddie has to play his best team probably from the start in this one. Bournemouth have been coming on strong in the second half of games, but with survival at stake it may be too much of a risk to leave Callum Wilson and David Brooks on the bench again. If Eddie does go to attack Southampton for the off, he'll have to look to see how he can stop Southampton playing on the break with the pace of Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond. The free kick accuracy of James Ward-Prowse is another worry for Bournemouth.

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But this has to be a game about what Bournemouth can do. They don't have to think too much about what Southampton are going to do, if they can dominate the game as they did in the last 20 minutes against Man City. Getting the ball in the box and making things happen is what Eddie has to implore his players to do. Goal difference could be vital so, Bournemouth have to go at Southampton from the start and not only try and win but win well.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Should Bournemouth fans care about West Ham v Watford game?

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Southampton Away Form

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Bournemouth are still conceding sloppy goals

Bournemouth did it all the hard way against Southampton. Defensive lapses were very evident and mistakes were acknowledged by Steve Cook after the game, but at least the players knew how to dig themselves out of the hole in this latest game.

Bournemouth are still finding it hard to protect their goal.

I don't believe Howe will have to many fond memories on playing this match back and looking at Southampton's goals and chances early on. Bournemouth were well out of their comfort zone and were hanging on for dear life at times. The ease with which Southampton were finding space with Redmond, Long and Ward-Prowse was alarming and Howe was having to change the shape of the team because the five at the back just wasn't functioning  and tracking the runners.

There is obviously a lot of work to do for Bournemouth's back line ahead of the Tottenham game. The team concedes goals like throwing confetti at the moment. Artur Boruc had moments when he covered himself in glory and then didn't get near Southampton's second and third goals where he might have done better. Still two of the goals went through players legs, which indicates that Aké and Simpson on those occasions didn't get close enough to close down and get the blocks in. It was all a bit frantic and haphazard at the back at times.

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While Bournemouth were lucky to get away with a few chances that Southampton had to score more, the shot count against the Cherries rapidly rose to 22 shot by the end of the match. Boruc was not getting a quiet Saturday afternoon and his protection was pretty threadbare at times.

Bournemouth have to work on their shape like they did for the Man City match for next week and it's imperative that the back four or five get their distances right and track runners much better than they did against Southampton, while the midfielders have to cut down the number of turnovers they are giving away just outside of the box.

Who is next on the list after Begovic commits to AFCB?

The signing of Asmir Begovic has started the summer transfer window for AFCB with a well known Premier League player. The transfer of the Chelsea keeper was always expected since last January, but who else would be a great compliment to the Cherries' squad, and just who will be next?

Is Nathan committed to Chelsea?

You have to look at where AFCB have done well and where they have had problems this season to start to draw any conclusions about the players that they could bring in. We know they have let in lots of goals, and it was important that the keeper situation was reinforced as Boruc doesn't play every game in a season.

In defence, I am hopeful that Nathan Aké will sign for the Cherries, although that deal may depend on Chelsea themselves finding a replacement for John Terry who no longer looks set to come to Dean Court. I believe the John Terry situation is the deal that may suddenly unlock other departures from Chelsea, but if Terry is not sure where to go from the offers he has, it could be a long summer to also see what will happen with Aké and the close we get to July the more likely he wold stay put. If Aké doesn't come, then spare a thought for the likes of Harry Maguire at Hull City who has been highly praised as being one of the best players for the Tigers and he has all the eagerness that Howe likes to see from players that were in the lower leagues.

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Eddie likes to get his signings early in the window so that everyone can get involved in the summer tour, but things are looking difficult already with few whispers of clear targets. The England U21 team has been a good bed rock for AFCB's attentions and if Eddie wants more quality in the middle of the park as Andrew Surman finds injuries are having an affect on the number of games he can play, don't look any further than James Ward-Prowse at Southampton as possible target - the current captain of the England U21s. Yes, the Saints would hate to lose such a player to the Cherries and see him as a future captain, but if there is as much dissatisfaction with Claude Puel's management at St Marys, as has appeared in recent weeks, then players become unsettled and it could be a good time to test the waters with a bid for the midfielder's services.

Up front, I'd say that the Cherries will be happy to have a front line of Wilson, King and Defoe with one of them on the bench at any one time. But if I had my eye's on one young striker from the Championship it would be Cauley Woodrow at Fulham, who has been on loan at Burton Albion and helped them stay up. He is out of contract in 2018, although he'll have an option to add another year at Fulham. 

Who do you want AFCB to sign?

In other news, Lewis Cook's assist helps England's U20's beat Mexico 1-0 to set up a semi-final with Italy in South Korea. Former Cherries' striker Matt Tubbs is to become a coach at Verwood Town.

Finishing above the Saints would be special for the Cherries

There are not too many targets that the Cherries will have left to do if they manage to secure their place in the Premier League before the end of April. That would be tremendous, but it would be really pleasing if AFCB could finish above those Saints down the road who have not been topped by another south coast team in recent memory.

Can AFCB get a win at St Mary's?

For Bournemouth to do that they can take a giant step by beating them on Saturday and overtaking the Saints by three points. There is going to be a lot of desire from both sets of players not to lose the game, but it really would push one of them towards a strong chance of a top 10 finish. AFCB have not won at St Marys and its a record that really might now be able to change. Southampton will still be favourites at home and with their squad of players, but for nine goals to be the only thing separating the two sides at this late stage in the season, there may not be many better moments to play the Saints and get one over on them.

Southampton will hope that the memory of their last home game back in early February against West Ham is a very distant memory when they step out for this game. Southampton have been a bit hit and miss at home with the 3-0 win over Leicester probably their best game at St Marys in 2017. But they have not had any rhythm in the fixtures or results to be totally settled at the moment, and AFCB could find that an away win at Southampton would give them the momentum to finish stronger in the run-in.

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The team news will be much watched, and with Manolo Gabbiadini already announced as out, this is a huge boost for the Cherries. AFCB will be aware though of the form of James Ward-Prowse who won an England call up, and Nathan Redmond who will also be back from the England squad, and the way Steven Davis always drives the Saint's midfield has been something that few AFCB sides have dealt well with. Southampton are a strong side even when they have a couple of players out and they will have got over the League Cup defeat, so catching Southampton on a bad day now seems unlikely.

What AFCB have to concentrate on is not having a bad first half and competing all over the pitch to make it a game where Southampton begin to worry more about what AFCB can do, rather than dominating the game themselves. Both teams will want to control the game though and I expect a real battle for the points, and would not think that a 1-1 draw would be too far away as a prediction. A win for the Cherries though would start to signal that they would be on their way to achieving their highest finish in the Premier League - now that would be something to celebrate! UTCIAD!

Southampton Home Form
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AFCB Away Form
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Possible AFCB line up

Boruc (GK), A Smith (RB), Francis (CD), S Cook (CD), Daniels (LB), Ibe (RW), Gosling (CD), 

Surman (CM), Pugh (LW), Afobe (FW), King (FW)

Bench: Allsop, B Smith, Cargill, Arter, Gradel, Stanislas, Wilshere 

In other News - Eddie Howe wins his first Premier League manager of the month! Congratulations Eddie!! while Artur Boruc was voted player of the month.

The Cherry Chimes' Newsletter is out today.

Cherry Chimes' April Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Josh King's on fire - your defence is terrified!

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The Saints can be beaten - tonight would be handy!

It would have been nice if Southampton had little to play for when they turn up at Dean Court. However, with their first defeat in seven still fresh in their minds and only three points outside the top six, there is every reason for the Saints to do AFCB no favours tonight.

With a positive goal difference of nine and plenty of goals coming from the feet and heads of Shane Long and Charlie Austin, there is an an unease about facing the Saints at the moment. Long is an injury doubt but the Saints have other options and the Cherries are likely to have to be wary of James Ward-Prowse who has shown he is starting to grow at this level, while Dusan Tadic is also worth attention for his ability to pop up with goals. At the back too they are strong with Fraser Forster having just set a club record for not conceding, even though Chelsea got the better of him in the end at the weekend.

Eddie Howe has to find some way of playing positively against the Saints from the start. Their quality in the last third is excellent and the battle for possession in this game could be key as if Southampton get a platform they have the players to find a finish in a snap moment if they are controlling the game. 

Arter made his Premier League debut against Southampton in November.
Can he have more of an impact now on this game?

The Cherries record against Southampton is pretty poor, but that mental block has to be overcome sooner or later. We have not seen many dominant performances from the side at home this season and when they have played well like against Norwich, for example, it was the finishing power of Afobe that mattered. Getting him on the ball and running at goal is going to be important. Gradel (or Pugh) and Ritchie must also take the fight to the Saints. We have seen the Cherries' finishing more than anything costing them points of late and a goal rush now would start to build some momentum which is what the side needs most of all right now.

One win at home in the last five for AFCB is not something that the players can be too pleased about, but they can do something about that tonight. UTCAID!

Possible AFCB team (4-1-3-2)
Boruc (GK), Smith (RD), Francis (CD), Cook (CD), Daniels (LD), Ritchie (RM), Surman (CM), Arter (CM), Gradel (LM), King (FW), Afobe (FW)

Subs
Federici, Elpjick, Distin, Gosling, Iturbe, Pugh, Murray   

Saints Away Form
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AFCB Home Form
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AFCB are set to help raise funs for Wimborne Town on Wednesday with a friendly. Remember The Back of the Net podcast is scheduled for release later today. 

The Cherry Chimes Newsletter is also out today.
Cherry Chimes' March Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Afobe underlines lower league quality.

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New look Saints set to visit Dean Court

Southampton are the first Premier League outfit to come to the Goldsands Stadium this pre-season and they will be an inviting prospect with their new line up against the Cherries. Ronald Koeman has had a difficult start to his Southampton appointment not least because of Croatian World Cup player, Dejan Lovren's desire to leave the club following the high profile sales of Shaw, Lallana and Lambert that have swollen the club's coffers by some £57m. Lovren's asking price has reportedly been put at £20m with Liverpool still said to be interested in him. 

There are signs that the rebuilding is already under way though at St Mary's with the arrival of Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord. The spending at Southampton has only just started you would think though and having also signed Dusan Tadic from FC Twente for an estimated £10.9m more talent will surely come into St Mary's before the start of then season. They have also secured the services of Liverpool legend Sammy Lee in the coaching staff and working with Koeman means that the Saints have a lot of experience behind them. But the Saint's seem to have failed in attempts to lure former-Cherry Danny Ings to the club.

This really is a new era for the Saints now that Cortese and Pochettino have left the club, but there is no time for Koeman to sit back because the Premier League is unforgiving and he'll be measured by his success on the pitch not just in his signings. The game against AFCB will give fans of both clubs a feel for how well pre-season has benefited the clubs and let's face it neither team will want to lose this game even if it is only a friendly.

The Saints are in good form having beaten Belgian side Sporting Hasselt 6-0 on 17 July and they also beat Dutch side EHC Hoensbroek  4-0 on 15 July. Their most recent outing was a 0-1 away win against Swindon Town on Monday when Hooiveild got the winner. Six recognised first team players began that match - Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Graziano Pelle, James Ward-Prowse, Jack Cork and Jos Hooiveld, on the bench was Maya Yoshida and Billy Sharp. Whether Koeman changes the team much for the visit to Bournemouth remains to be seen but I would expect a strong Saint's team.

Well done to the AFCB 11 who beat Brighton's U21's 1-2 yesterday, that comes after a -14 win against QPR's U18 team last Saturday and welcome to the club Aly Coulibaly. 

Mouthwatering fixtures for AFCB

The waiting is over. At last the NPower Championship League fixtures have been announced. Bournemouth will be playing Charlton Athletic at home in its first game of the 2013-14 season on 3rd August. Memories of two and three seasons ago, if I remember rightly, when we had Charlton away for the first games in League One.

The Christmas period will see the Cherries play Yeovil Town at home on 26 December and Brighton away on 1 January. These games are going to be hugely popular. It was Yeovil at home last Boxing Day as well!

Easter will also be a busy period with Sheffield Wednesday at home on Saturday 19 April and Ipswich away on Easter Monday 21 April 2014. The last home game is against Nottingham Forest on 26 April 2014.

The final match of the season for AFCB, on 3rd May 2014, will be against Millwall away.  Let's all hope that we have something to celebrate then.

The full fixture list is on the Official AFC Bournemouth website.

Meanwhile, the Southern Daily Echo is reporting that Eddie Howe is looking to sign talented England U-20 midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton FC on a season long loan.