Why can't Blackburn convert cup form to the league?

Gary Bowyer must be wondering what he has to do to get his side playing as well in the league as they are doing in the FA Cup. I am sure the Blackburn fans want to go as far as they can in the cup, but sitting in 10th in the league means they have lots of work to do if they are to challenge for a play-off place now. 

Even a gap of 15 points can be cut back and last season Blackburn Rovers put in a good run towards the end of the season, but it would be a major shock if they do that again, especially as their recent away form has not been encouraging. They have not won away in the league since beating Nottingham Forest at the end of October. It's a different story when they play at home and in the FA Cup, but that is not going to get them a play-off spot.

Hopefully Rovers won't bring their cup form to Dean Court.

If Blackburn are to challenge they have to beat the top sides and they had the perfect opportunity to start that in midweek when they met Norwich City, but they lost the game. AFCB will be another game where they will need to try and take points off a team that is above them. They'll need Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes to keep putting away their chances, but it has been the two strikers who have kept Rovers from falling further behind in the race for a top six finish. Some other Blackburn players are going to have to start finding the net if they are to really push on now.

A few injuries to Ben Marshall, Chris Taylor and Corry Evans have not been helpful, but everyone is getting injuries to their team. One player that will be keen to get game time is Tommy Spurr who only made his first start of the season against Blackpool last weekend, but he did not feature against Norwich in mid-week.

The cup run could be taking more out of Rovers than is good for them of course. With Jay Spearing, Tom Cairney and Grant Hanley in their side there is plenty of fight and experience, but succeeding in cup and league campaigns is going to be very demanding for them. In some ways the match they face against AFCB will be a good prelude to the Liverpool cup match. Their players will be playing for their shirt in that game so the Cherries should be aware that Rovers are going to be doing everything to improve their away record, because they can't afford to lose any more ground on the top six in the Championship.

It seems that set-pieces have been causing them problems of late and perhaps the Cherries can cause them problems with their corners. But beating Rovers will be a difficult task and AFCB must make the most of home advantage, which they couldn't do against Derby and Huddersfield.

Send in more score predictions for the match and I'll post them up on Cherry Chimes.

Wilson double sees Cherries beat Bolton 1-2 with 10-men!

Match Description

Bolton 1 v 1 AFCB

4 October 2014

Attendance: 13,033 (including 390 Cherries supporters)

The idea was certainly to attack Bolton at the Macron stadium. Eddie Howe decided to play two up front which had not been seen in away game since the opening day when the team played so well at Huddersfield. Eddie Howe brought back Artur Boruc and Yann Kermorgant to the starting line up along with Charlie Daniels and Marc Pugh. Meanwhile, Rantie and Francis were brought into the squad but O'Kane and Stanislas were left out of the 18.

AFCB got on top after the first 10 minutes with Ritchie bringing out the best in Andy Lonergran. Wilson and Kermorgant were also seeing much of the ball, while Marc Pugh and Harry Arter were also getting forward. Matt Mills was given the first yellow card for a foul on Callum Wilson, but the big moment came in the 35th minute when Yann Kermorgant was sent off for a high kick on Mark Davies. Beckford and Ritchie both had efforts go wide but there was no goals in the first half.

At half time AFCB had taken 10 shots with four on target compared to Bolton's five shots with two on target. The Cherries had been very dominant with 66 per cent of possession and six corners compared to two. Bolton had also committed seven fouls compared to AFCB's two but Yann Kermorgant had been sent off for his high kick! The second game in a row where AFCB had had a player sent off

The second half started with a bang as Callum Wilson raced through to put the Cherries 1-0 up but with six minutes Jay Spearing had hit a powerful equaliser from 25 yards out! Bolton looked to have found their stride and came close again when Craig Davies shot came off Elphick and hit the bar! Bolton continued to press with Lee-Chung Yong forcing a save from Boruc and corners followed as the momentum started to turn towards the home team. 

However, Harry Arter delivered a defence splitting pass for Callum Wilson and he finished to make it 1-2 to the Cherries on 68 minutes. Craig Davies was the most dangerous Bolton player but AFCB were keeping him out and he was finally subbed as the half drew near to the last 20 minutes. Francis was continuing to supply some great crosses and Ritchie was having a lot of joy as well on the right wing. Max Clayton came on for Neil Danns with 15 minutes remaining.

In the last 10 minutes it was nail biting time for AFCB fans. Chris Herd was booked for a foul on Pugh and the Cherries looked to keep going forward. They had to defend a corner that was conceded by Charlie Daniels but managed that safely. With two minutes of normal time to go Adam smith came on for Ritchie who was one of AFCB's star players on the day. Another corner saw danger averted again and Pitman replaced goal hero Callum Wilson.

The final score was 1-2 to AFCB but the second half had seen Bolton improve considerably with 14 shots in all during the match equalling AFCB and seven shots on target. AFCB only managed six shots on target but got the victory that takes them up to 11th in the table. I expect some lively discussion about the Yann Kermorgant sending off and AFCB's thoughts on the referee!

Official Tweets from AFC Bournemouth
01: Artur Boruc is called into action immediately as Craig Davies gets a shot in with seconds on the clock. Parried and cleared.

03: Matt Ritchie puts in a deep cross that Marc Pugh can't quite reach. Goal kick for the Trotters.

04: Kermorgant unleashes a shot from the edge of the area which Lonergan palms away for a corner.

11: Craig Davies sees another effort from inside the Cherries' box beaten away by Artur Boruc.

14: A super last ditch tackle from Steve Cook denies Craig Davies 18 yards out.

18: Wilson links with Andrew Surman, but the striker's shot is deflected away.

18: Moments later Matt Ritchie hits one from distance which the keeper has to parry low to his left. Good shot, great save.

22: Great ball from Ritchie sees Francis put through. His cutback is met by a first time effort by Kermorgant, but it's blocked.

25: Ritchie cuts back across the edge of the area. Arter can't reach it, but Pugh takes a touch before blasting over the bar.

27: Nice spell of possession but no killer pass. Arter sprays one over the bar from 30 yards

29: Wilson with a mazy run down the left but is put on his backside. Cherries want a penalty, but free kick awarded.

31: Off the line! Kermorgant nearly curls it into the top corner but Dervite is on the line to head clear! Very close

36: Yann Kermorgant is show a red card for a high foot!

37: It was an unnecessary challenge from Kermorgant on Mark Davies, and the Cherries are down to ten.

39: Bolton streaming forward trying to capitalise. Beckford flashes a volley just wide.

43: Ritchie lets one go from 30 yards and the keeper has to push it round his post. Great shot

45: There will be two minutes of added time here. Beckford crashes one into the side netting

Artur Boroc is booked.

HALF TIME: 0-0. Cherries down to 10 men (again) but still level on the scoreboard

Second Half

We're back underway here with one change for Wanderers, with Pratley replacing Mark Davies. (46) 0-0

46:GGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLL!!! Wilson scores! #bwfc 0-1 #afcb.

46: Wilson squeezes the ball between Lonergan's legs in the first attack of the second half.

GOAL: A rifled effort from Spearing levels the scores.

52: Goal for Bolton. Jay Spearing hits one from 25 yards and it fizzes past Boruc. #BWFC 1-1

57: Craig Davies' effort flicks off the outstretched leg of Tommy Elphick and onto the bar. A let off for the Cherries there.

61: Boruc spills a long range effort but recovers excellently to deny Beckford one on one. Offside anyway

62: The official attendance today is 13,033 with 390 making the long trip north. Thank you to every one of you.

68: GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! WILSON AGAIN!

68: Harry Arter's peach of a through ball is chested down by Wilson and guided past Lonergan. #BWFC1v3 #AFCB bit.ly/bwfcvafcb

76: Neil Danns hits the upright with an overhead kick, but the linesman already had his flag up for offside. Still #BWFC 1-2 #AFCB .

80: Chris Herd goes into the book for a foul on Marc Pugh.

85: Five minutes of normal time remaining here. Cherries soaking up pressure and trying to retain possession when they have it.

88: Adam Smith comes on for Matt Ritchie, who has had a fine game.

90: There will be three minutes added on.

90+2: Pitman is coming on for Wilson. Meanwhile, Bolton have a corner and the keeper is up.

90+3: The ball is cleared and Smith is fouled on the halfway line running full pelt.

That's it! Full time at the Macron Stadium. The Cherries win all three points! #BWFC 1-2 #AFCB.

AFCB Team

Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie (Smith 88), Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson (Pitman 92). 

AFCB Substitutes

Flahavan, Smith, Harte, Gosling, Fraser, Rantie, Pitman.

Bolton Wanderers

Lonergan, Herd, Mills, Dervite, Ream, Danns (Clayton 76), Spearing, M Davies (Pratley 45), Chung-Yong, C Davies (Mason 71), Beckford.

Bolton Substitutes 

Kenny, Clayton, Feeney, Medo, Mason, McNaughton, Pratley. 

 

Bolton are in the doldrums so AFCB must be wary

Bolton have not been on a good run and will be out to try and get some points on the board at home to AFCB. In recent weeks though they have played some of the in form teams in the league with both Wolves and Derby inflict defeats on Wanderers, while Fulham hit four against them. Dougie Freedman was certainly under pressure in recent weeks to turn things around, but he could not do it in time and left the club by mutual consent yesterday. That is likely to give the team a lift as a change in regime always seems to release of pressure and Bolton players just may be able to play with more freedom. It is the second time AFCB have played a team this season after losing their manager though, and against Cardiff City it worked out positively for the Cherries. Still, the Cherries also have to be very mindful of a managerless Bolton team that is certainly going to be hurting with its lowly league position.

Bolton players need a home result but could find
more pressure on them if they go a goal down against the Cherries. 

The Cherries need to get on top of this team straight away and to try and get Bolton fearful of another poor performance by testing their defence from the off. If they go a goal down it is likely to be hard for them to recover. That is not to say that Bolton don't have some players who can do AFCB harm. Eddie Howe has often been linked with Joe Mason who is on loan at Bolton from Cardiff and has scored a few goals already this season. Then there is Liam Feeney who we know well and now has a few year's experience of playing in the Championship for different clubs. Jay Spearing will be their key player in midfield and AFCB will look to keep him off the ball as much as possible, while Jermaine Beckford could well make a start for them up front if the caretaker manager decides that he needs a change in attack. Beckford did come on in the 4-0 mid-week defeat to Fulham, and could be the player to kick-start Bolton's season if he can get some minutes on the pitch.The inform player for them though is at the other end of the pitch, Andy Lonergan in goal has been extremely busy and it will be up to the Cherries if they can give him another tough game.

I am hoping that the Cherries can get at Kevin McNaughton who is no longer the quickest right back around and get plenty of crosses in the box. Putting pressure by keeping hold of the ball is likely to frustrate Bolton and it could turn the crowd who already booed the team off at half time in their last home game against Derby. It's not nice being near the foot of the league and AFCB have to try and beat the teams that are down there if they are to do anything this season.     

The second international break comes in after this Saturday and AFCB have always managed to go into these breaks but getting something in the last game before the break and there is every chance that the team could land the full three points. UTCIAD!

For those that are looking to get a winning weekend don't forget to place your bets via Free Bet Negotiator to get a free voucher for your next bet.

Bolton Home Form:
DLDWL
AFCB Away Form:
WLDDL

Referee: Andre Marriner

Match Preview: Cherry Chimes talks to Voice of Bolton

Rival Lines
Match Preview
Bolton Wanderers v AFCB
Blogger Interview: Voice of Bolton

Cherry Chimes chats with Anis, managing editor of Voice of Bolton, to preview the Bolton away game and to find out what is happening with this great northern team, who are certainly struggling at present. We try and put the finger on exactly where the problems are and look at whether Bolton are finding it harder to play at home or away, or perhaps they are just finding it hard no matter where they play.

CC: What are expectations for most Bolton fans this season in terms of a league finishing position?

VOB: We guess it’s fair to say that we were hoping for some major progress this season. However, so far it doesn’t seem like we’re going to have that ‘great’ season we have been desperate for. If you asked us before the season had kicked off, we would have confidently stated a top 10 position. Play-offs for us this season would have been quite a dream, but you can’t over confidently believe that a club such as ours that has struggled somewhat for a few years now is going to start the season in 5th gear and be near the top of the table come December.

Now, it looks like we’re going to be drifting in and out of the relegation zone. Some belief for a Bolton fan huh?

CC: Is Dougie Freedman making much progress at Bolton in terms of performances if not the points?

When Dougie took over the club, he had his critics – a fair few Bolton fans believed that he wasn’t the right guy for the job. They were at the time in the minority, out voiced. Now it seems that they had the foresight to see something most Bolton fans couldn’t. The belief has somewhat deteriorated, mainly this season. We have one win and two draws from nine games – that is hardly the start any team needs. However, Dougie has baffled the entire fanbase by defending some performances this season. What’s even more confusing is that how he can play with one upfront when this particular formation had proved costly for over a season or so.

You would clearly question the tactical intelligence of the current Bolton manager. The fanbase for one can see it is a pointless task sticking with the same formation week in, week out.

CC: Where does the team need strengthening or are you happy with last summer's signings?

VOB: At this present moment in time – the whole squad bar a few need to be replaced. We lack the strength up front. Joe Mason is with us on loan once more. He has what it takes to deliver goals, but he needs a strike partner – as he had in Lukas Jutkiewicz. The midfield look clueless. Spearing has been very ineffective. The other players don’t look like they’re Championship quality at all. Dean Moxey looks out of his depth, whereas we haven’t been able to sort out a decent centre-back pairing as of yet. We look very fragile at the back.

Last but not least, Andy Lonergan has, so far, been outstanding. However, this can only last for so long. The team need to man up and start being responsible! We have seen better football from League One / Two sides!

CC: Do you fear that things could deteriorate with the Financial Fair Play penalties being dished out to clubs that overspend?

We are already suffering as a result. We have had a self-imposed embargo on transfers, which possibly is down to the amount of debt we have. It is fair to say Dougie has had no opportunity to bring players of some quality in as those players cost money – which is something we have not got at present. All of our signings so far have been either loans or free agents. Without spending anything, you are likely to be dealing with other team’s scraps.

We can understand why there is such a thing as Financial Fair Play, however with clubs in the lower tiers already struggling – it’s adding weight and looks set to kill the game (if the Premier League and Sky don’t get there first).

CC: Who has impressed you most in a Bolton shirt this season?

VOB: Andy Lonergan in goal. He has been amazing! Nothing more to say on this – let’s hope he carries on like this for a long time!

CC: Joe Mason had a great game against Rotherham - is he getting to grips with the Championship?

He seems to be a decent Championship player. However Joe’s game gets better when he is paired up with feeding striker. He is sure to deliver goals with more game time.

CC: Why have you failed to win away yet?

Poor performances. Players don’t seem to have any confidence in themselves – they’re too reliant on each other to do the job for them. Tactical ignorance from the manager and much more.

CC: Could the team have been scoring more goals at home?

VOB: Of course. Any home side should be scoring more at home. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case for us. We don’t have the kind of free scoring players in the team at all.

CC: How has our old AFCB winger Liam Feeney been playing?

VOB: Feeney has been fairly OK. It feels like he hasn’t embedded into the club as well as we’d expect. Hopefully this will change over time.

CC: How do you think Bolton will try and get at Bournemouth?

VOB: We hope they try to get all 3 points, but the way things are currently going – we’re hoping we don’t get hammered!

CC: I'm almost afraid to ask -what is your score prediction for the game?

VOB: We’ll happily take a 1 – 1 draw!

CC: I think that is the most honest and heartfelt comments that we have had from a blogger on Rival Lines. It is always hard when your team is not going well and Bolton fans must be looking anywhere they can for some inspiration. That would seem to be watching keeper Andy Lonergon and I guess fingers are crossed that he does not get injured. I am sure though that AFCB playing at the Macron stadium is a match that the Bolton manager and players would expect to be able to win, and it may well be a match where the first goal will win the game as I can see Bolton's crowd really getting behind them if they get it or turning on their manager if AFCB get it.

I want to thank Anis for his frank opinions on the Bolton team and do visit Voice of Bolton to see what else he has been writing about on his favourite team.

Bolton will be a dangerous opponent

Don't be deceived by Bolton Wanderers currently lowly position in the Championship. They have already beaten AFCB at Dean Court and have plenty of fire power to be able to do the same again at the Reebok stadium. They played well recently against QPR and only narrowly lost 1:0 to Premiership Cardiff City in the FA Cup, while a 1:0 defeat away at Ipswich Town last time out is hardly a bad performance.

If anything Bolton have been a bit unlucky. They need their experienced players like Jay Spearing and Zat Knight to step up now. Andre Moritz the attacking Bazilian midfielder is the club's second highest goalscorer this season and is likely to be back to face the Cherries if his knee injury has improved. They also have the talent of the tricky Chung-Yong Lee on the left wing who was one of their best players when they played AFCB earlier in the season. Up front David Ngog has moved on to Swansea, but Lukas Jutkiewicz, the Middlesbrough forward they have brought in this January has a reasonable a good goal scoring record and Eagles has been back in the last two squads.

The good news for AFCB is that Jermaine Beckford may be unavailable for this game as he has been recovering from a hamstring injury that is likely to put him out, according to the local press. Having scored six of Bolton's league goals this season he would be a key miss for them and AFCB have to take advantage of that if he doesn't make it back in time. But other sources though say that he could be fit enough to play. Craig Davies the Welsh international striker played in the last two matches for Bolton, but he has not yet scored and has been sent out on loan to Preston North End.

At the back David Wheater should add some defensive strength to the team that have let in 45 goals this season, just two less than AFCB. Dougie Freedman is certainly up against it and a home defeat would really increase the pressure on him, so he would see this game against the Cherries as a must win to start getting momentum going again in Bolton's favour. A wounded animal is a very dangerous beast they say so I hope that Eddie Howe and his team are aware of the situation at Bolton. They are already in desperate need of points. If the Cherries can hold the Lillywhites in the first half they may find that the home crowd get impatient.