Can Wilshere get AFCB back on track?

Yesterday, AFCB resigned Jack Wilshere for six months. He is a hugely popular player with AFCB fans and other clubs and for Bournemouth to pick him up again says a lot of how much Jack respects the work of Jason Tindall. Whether the reunion will see Bournemouth power their way to promotion is the question that will be answered, probably not by the undoubted quality of Wilshere, but by his fitness.

Jack's back - how soon can he get AFCB winning games again?

With Jack only just signing, but having trained for three weeks for the club, he could find himself in the squad for the game against Derby County. While Jefferson Lerma's red card has been rescinded, I am hoping that he is cleared of the Sheffield Wednesday charge as well and is ready to play with his head in the right place for a big game if selected.

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The best central midfield set-up for Bournemouth could be quite a puzzle. Bournemouth have lacked the creativity to break teams down despite having a great attacking assortment of players. Jack Wilshere adds a bit more experience to the midfield and if he gets a good run it will be hard not to see him dominating that area. It will be good for players like Lerma and Lewis Cook to get a bit more of a break at times and should keep them on their toes. It is good to hear that Jack really enjoyed his time at AFCB first time and that he wants to help the club get back to the Premier League.

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Derby will be another difficult game as they have just appointed Wayne Rooney as their manager. But while their tales are up Bournemouth know they have not performed well against teams at the bottom of the league. It is something that Tindall is drilling home and wants his players to react after the recent disappointments. Adding Jack Wilshere at this point could be a good pick me up for the team, and I expect the team to go all gound blazing at Derby Couty to get back on the heels of the leading two clubs.

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Derby Co Home Form
DDWLL

AFCB Away Form
WDDLW

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Possible AFCB lineup

AFCB Subs: Dennis, Kelly, Wilshere, Gosling, Billing, King, Surridge, Anthony, King

Derby Co pre-match press conference - with Liam Rosenior 

10-man Bournemouth come a cropper against Luton

 Match Report

AFCB 0 v 1 Luton Town

16 January 2021

Luton dent AFCB's automatic promotion hopes

The Cherries lost more ground on the leaders in the Championship with a sorry 0-1 defeat against Luton Town. The game started to run away from Bournemouth when Jefferson Lerma was sent off with a straight red for a challenge for a header in the first half. Both teams seemed surprised by the harshness of the punishment for something that didn't look like deliberate violent conduct. A solitary breakaway goal by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall saw Luton win their ninth game of the season while Bournemouth sank to their fourth defeat, and second home defeat of 2020-21.

Bournemouth made three changes from their previous game with Josh King, Jack Stacey and Cameron Carter-Vickers starting. It was the first start for Cameron Carter-Vickers in the league for AFCB. Out went Junior Stanislas, Lloyd Kelly and Jack Simpson. Danjuma was still not ready to join the squad.

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Arguably the team looked more attack-minded with there at the back and Adam Smith and Jack Stacey pushing up on either flanks with a front three of King. Solanke and Brooks, while Lerma and Lewis Cook kept stability in the centre of midfield.

The Cherries dominated the early part of the game with David Brooks going close in the second minute and Josh King seeing his half-hit strike saved on seven minutes after Luke Berry's header had let King in. That was followed by a wayward shot from Lewis Cook which sailed over the bar, but Bournemouth were in the ascendancy.

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Matters changed on 26 minutes when Jefferson Lerma was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Tom Lockyer. that saw his elbow hit Lockyer in the eye. I am sure Bournemouth will appeal, but the punishment set Bournemouth down to 10 men. Lockyer couldn't carry on in the end and was subbed for Naismith.

Cameron Carter-Vickers saw a header go wide following a corner and Josh King's shot in the box was then cleared off the line. While Bournemouth had a few more blocked shots it remained 0-0 at half-time.

Luton obviously looked to improve on their failures to get forward in the first half and Glen Rea had a shot saved by Begovic on 47 minutes. Potts then came close with a header from a corner for Luton that Begovic saved with his left boot and Dewsbury-Hall had a shot saved seconds later that was heading for the top corner.

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King then slotted Solanke in on goal down the left and the ball looked headed for the net before Potts cleared it off the line.

The Hatters kept coming forward with Collins missing a header from Harry Cornick's cross. A chance fell to David Brooks in the box but he put it over the bar. Luton were more in their stride now with Cornick hitting a shot too high. Collins was also a threat in the break. It was a goal on 67 minutes to the visitors that decided the three points. Cornick found Dewsbury-Hall, on the right, who slotted the ball away with a low curling shot into the left corner to beat Begovic.

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Bournemouth made three changes with Surridge, Billing and Kelly replacing King, Rico and Stacey. Jordan Clark also replaced Harry Cornick.

Tindall made further changes with Riquelme subbing Adam Smith and Jaidon Anthony coming on for Brooks. Riquelme had a shot blocked and another saved before Luton subbed James Bree with Matty Pearson and James Collins with Danny Hylton. Mpanzu had a late shot saved for Luton while Pearson was booked for a foul on Riquelme.

Billing and Hylton were also booked in added time.

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Summary
Another game where Bournemouth squandered chances despite having the majority for the possession and looked in control for large parts of the game. Teh sending off clearly changed things and Bournemouth were caught out by a team that got plenty of men behind the ball and made it hard for Bournemouth to break them down. Tindall has to find away of beating stubborn sides that defend well and not get hit on the break. It's simply costing too many points. On the plus side Cameron Carter-Vickers looks like a good addition to the backline.

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Luton Town: Sluga, Bree (Pearson 87), Potts, Bradley, Lockyer (Naismith 34), Rea, Dewsbury-Hall, Mpanzu, Berry, Cornick (Clark 74), Collins (Hylton 87)

Luton Subs: Shea, Pearson, Hylton, Naismith, Morrell, Nombe, LuaLua, Clark, Moncur.

AFCB lineup

AFCB Subs: Dennis, Simpson, Mepham, Kelly,
Kilkenny, Billing, Riquelme, Surridge, Anthony

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Stanislas might be out but FCB have players back for te Luton game

Lerma will hope not to miss games

Jefferson Lerma has until Thursday to respond to a 'biting' charge during the Sheffield Wednesday match in November. Lerma is on a charge that he broke FA rule E3 by attempting to harm an opponent - Josh Windas - an allegation Lerma 'strenuously denies', says the Bournemouth Echo.

Lerma could be on the sidelines.

Bournemouth have not been too lucky when defending such charges in the past. I remember the stamping incident with Tyrone Mings and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in 2017, when Mings was subsequently banned for five games. Football is a physical game and there is a fine line between playing with a lot of aggression and pushing things too far. Retaliation is something that can happen on the pitch, but it's hoped that referees deal with any incidents at the time. Now it is more of a spectacle, which isn't fair for players.

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We will see whether Jefferson Lerma's case is dismissed or not. If he is not acquitted he could see a lengthy ban of a few games. That could mean Lerma misses games in early January. It is never a good time to lose such an influential player, even if Bournemouth do have a good number of central midfielders to cover in that area.

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It may be that Gosling simply comes back into the starting line up, but let's hope that Lerma is innocent and can carry on playing. Nmandi Ofoborh will also be hoping to get some game time soon and he could be given his chance against Oldham in the FA Cup. It is a busy period coming up and Bournemouth will need their best payers on the pitch.

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Lerma is undoubtedly a player that Jason Tindall will want to play as many games as he can this season. While a rest may do him some good, I have no doubt that Lerma would rather be playing.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - It's a Boxing Day wipeout for the Cherries

10-man Bournemouth run out of saviours at Sheffield Wednesday

The Cherries failed to excite in this game and went down to 10-men when Steve Cook misjudged an attempt to get back to Josh Windass and put him off from putting Sheffield Wednesday ahead. With Barry Bannan scoring from the penalty Bournemouth tried reshuffling the deck, but this time there were no late saviours. Sheffield Wednesday also went down to 10-men as well in the last few minutes, but Bournemouth couldn't find a leveller for the scorebaord.

Steve Cook gets his marching orders.

Bournemouth were at full strength to take on Sheffield Wednesday. In came Josh King, Dan Gosling, David Brooks and Jefferson Lerma. Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook and Junior Stanislas moved to the bench, while Philip Billing didn't make the squad.

Match description
Bournemouth attack from the off and win a corner. Lloyd Kelly has to concede a corner to Sheffield Wednesday at the other end. Steve Cook heads clear and Danjuma attacks.

Lerma through to Brooks and he has a shot that goes wide of the post. Kachunga does well and crosses but Chris Mepham clears. Steve Cok blocks well.

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Begovic concedes another corner. Rico is fouled by Kachunga who receives a yellow card. Adam Smith concedes a corner. Bannan crosses but Börner heads wide.

Plenty of early pressure from the home side. Bournemouth need to get more control. Gosling fouls Odubajo on the right-wing. It's pretty even in terms of possession so far. Bannan takes the free kick and Begovic just does enough as Liam Palmer heads wide.

Pelupessy has fouled David Brooks. Josh Windass shoots inside the box and Begovic saves. Danjuma is fouled before Bournemouth win a corner. Adam Smith fouls Windass.

Kachunga, already on a yellow, is living dangerously fouling Lerma. Lerma does well in midfield but can't get the ball to King.

Brooks does well to find Danjuma, but the Dutchman slips when he was just about to put Gosling through. Kachunga misses a header near the centre of the box. Gosling has won a free kick.

Sheffield Wednesday break but Windass is offside. Kelly fouls Kachunga. Lerma has fouled Pelupessy and is booked. Windass shoots from the direct free kick and misses the goal. Bournemouth win a corner off of Iorfa. Five minutes to half-time. Another poof first 45-minutes by AFCB. Mepham has put his headed effort wide from the corner. A shot of any kind is a rarity from AFCB this half.

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Pelupessy is carded for a foul on Lerma. Plamer has now got a yellow card as he takes out Brooks who was heading to goal. Two minutes of added time. Rico shoots wide from outside the box.

Danjuma takes aim and his dipping shot is tipped over for a corner.

AFCB possession 60%, shots 7, shots on target 1, corner 4, fouls 6
Sheffield Weds possession 40%, shots 6, shots on target 0, corners 3, fouls 11.

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Second half
Kachunga still hasn't stopped his fouling as he catches Mepham. Brooks and Danjuma are linking well. Smith gets the ball to King in the box, the cross is hit hard and Rico can't quite get to it at the far post.

Josh King is getting on the ball. He finds Brooks but the shot is blocked. Börner concedes a corner. Lerma heads it past the left post. Bournemouth are gettng closer.

Sheffield Wednesday's corner and Kachinga heads across the box but there's no Wednesday player around. Palmer goes close with a shot in the box but it goes wide.

Adam Smith crosses and Josh King heads wide. Rico is fouled by Odubajo. Börner is carded for a foul on King. Lerma fouls Palmer.

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Adam Smith wins a free kick and Danjuma's shot is deflected for a corner. Bournemouth have most of the possession but this game is in the balance.

Bournemouth substitute Brooks and on comes Solanke on 67 minutes. Windass is in the box against Begovic and should score but Steve Cook intervenes, Windass is down and Sheffield Wednesday have a penalty. Steve Cook has been sent off. Wednesday go 1-0 up after Barry Bannan scores from the spot on 71 minutes.

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Lewis Cook comes on for Danjuma and fouls Kachunga. King almost gets through but Palmer defends well. Wildsmith parries the corner and Gosling misses the chance to stick it home in the six yard box.

Paterson replaces Kachunga and Stacey replaces Rico on 80 minutes. Brown replaces Reach on 84 minutes. Adam Smith has fouled Pelupessy. Paterson's shot is saved. Bournemouth break and Kelly wins a free kick. Mepham misses with a header.

Marriott comes on for Windass. Six minutes of added time. Kadeem Harris is red carded for a foul on Lerma. It's 10 v 10 but times has almost run out.

Lewis Cook crosses and Gosling heads well but it's saved. Lerma fouls Paterson. 

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Summary
Well the unbeaten record goes which was perhaps becoming a burden. Bournemouth didn't start well again and the flat first half wasn't so easy for Tindall to turnaround this time. Bournemouth held most of the possession, but the shooting was wayward and with Steve Cook unlucky to be sent off Begovic couldn't save the penalty. It was a poor night and many of the players will be disappointed with their performances.

AFCB line-up

AFCB Subs: Travers, Stacey, Simpson. L Cook, Riquelme, Stanislas, Solanke

Sheffield Wednesday
28 Wildsmith, 2 Palmer, 27 Iorfa, 13 Börner, 22 Odubajo, 8 Pelupessy, 10 Bannan, 7 K Harris, 11 Reach (Brown 84), 45 Kachunga (Paterson 80),18 Windass (Marriott 88)

Sheffield Weds Subs
5 Paterson, 9 Marriott, 17 Dele-Bashiru, 20 Rhodes, 24 Brown, 25 Dawson, 29 Hunt

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - AFCB have to be wary of Sheffield Wednesday

Why is Lerma thriving in the Championship?

With two goals already to his name this season, there has been a bit of a rebirth of Jefferson Lerma at AFCB. He has always been seen as the tough-tackling hardened midfielder who will commit a bad foul with regularity, but now he has started to become a bit of a marksman for goals.

Lerma has found a new lease of life with his goals.

I have to credit not only Jefferson but Jason Tindall and his coaches for bringing out another side in Jefferson's game. The opposition's box always seemed almost beyond Jefferson's limit except when he could go forward for set-pieces. We have seen a couple of strikes this season though from the edge of the area that have basically been passed into the net by Jefferson and he seems comfortable in going forward and scoring goals now.

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The crosses Jack Stacey and Adam Smith have supplied have been very profitable for the whole team, but Lerma has been picking up positions where he is arriving on well-timed funs into the box. It's something that we didn't see under Eddie Howe and we are seeing a different side to Lerma's game.

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Bournemouth hadn't been seeing central midfielders scoring many goals in recent seasons, but I think Gosling and Lerma are being helped by the runs of Danjuma. Danjuma's runs are particularly penetrating and with his pace defenders are not tracking other Bournemouth players quite as closely when Danjuma is in full flow. The balance of the side seems much better than for some time, and with Lerma having time in the Championship to pick his spot he has been very accurate.

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Perhaps Bournemouth played too much for Callum Wilson and Josh King to get on the end of moves in the past. With Solanke, we have a striker that doesn't always think shoot for himself when he sees other players in a good position. But Lerma especially seems to want to take responsibility for having a shot, and for the moment, he and Gosling are cashing in on Bournemouth attacks. I'm not sure Leram expects to keep scoring, but it wouldn't be a big surprise if he or Gosling got to double figures for goals this season.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Is Mepham able to step up his game?

In other news, West Ham's £13m bid for Josh King has been turned down reports SkySpots.

Gosling stuns Coventry as Bournemouth win 1-3 away

Match Report

Coventry City 1 v 3 AFCB

2 October 2020

Dan Gosling finishes off Coventry City with a wonder strike

The Cherries sit proudly on top of the Championship after this result. They started extremely well with Jefferson Lerma picking his spot in seven minutes after a quick move down the left cut Coventry open. Coventry improved though with a few testing shots for Begovic before Lewis Cook went charging in on Ben Sheaf and gave a penalty away that Goodard scored six minutes from half-time. Dan Gosling then took the game away from Coventry with a side-footed finish in the box just six minutes into the second half. Gosling then pinged a superb strike in from 30-yards on the hour to make it 1-3. Matters got even worse for Coventry when Gustavo Hamer was red-carded with 22 minutes to go. Jason Tindall will hope this momentum can be continued after the international break.

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Bournemouth made a couple of changes with Sam Surridge making his first start and Dan Gosling coming into the starting eleven for Arnaut Danjuma and Philip Billing. David Brooks returned to the bench as well, but Danjuma had a minor calf injury, while Josh King was left out because of a migraine, adding more speculation that he has played his last game for AFCB. There were only six players on the bench.

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Match Description
AFCB make a sharp start. Sam Surridge is quick to pinch possession. Bournemouth are dominating play but the ball seems to be out of play a lot. Still, Bournemouth are keeping the ball moving well.

Coventry are doing all the chasing. Solanke gets in behind but can't beat the last man. Ball back to Lerma and he fizzes it right in the corner on seven minutes. There was a lovely backheel by Gosling in the buildup and a well-weighted slid pass from Solanke before Lerma buried it with power. 

Stacey does some good cleaning up at the back. Adam Smith is brought down. Lerma is then fouled. Some neat play by Lewis Cook. Stacey has to do some covering to stop Giles from getting a cross in. 

The game has dropped off a bit since the start. Coventry are getting more of a foot in. Hamer has a shot from distance and Begovic saves to his right. The shot came from nowhere. Coventry's corner is headed away by Solanke.

Stacey crosses from the right. Adam Smith goes for a diving header, Gosling on the line can't get a touch and Surridge is there but doesn't head powerfully enough. It's cleared - a let-off for Coventry.

Hamer has another go from distance, but it's too high. Coventry are getting forward now. Solanke breaks but only shoots against Hamer. Gosling took a nasty tackle and Østigard, is booked. Rico fouls.

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Solanke runs into Hamer and it's a foul. Lerma makes a good interception in Bournemouth's box. Surridge is offside. Surridge and Solanke are starting to link well.

Mepham crosses and gets a corner. Surridge's header is gathered by the keeper. Solanke on the turn forces a save from outside the box on 34 minutes.

Ball through, over the top Surridge heads on to Salanke who rounds the keeper and Hyam has to get his body between the ball and the goal, corner to Bournemouth.

Giles on the left through to O'Hare who curls it passed Steve Cook, but it's off the bottom of the post for a goal kick.

Lewis Cook has made a poor challenge on Ben Sheaf and it's a penalty to Coventry on 39 minutes. Matt Godden makes it 1-1 from the spot. Begovic went the wrong way.

Lewis Cook to Gosling and the shot has been blocked by Solanke. Bournemouth have a free kick. Adam Smith tackles Dabo well. Lerma wins a free kick. Gosling is fouled by Østigard. Good position just outside the box and central. Rico and Lewis Cook stand over it and Rico hots the wall. Two minutes of added time.

AFCB 58% possession, 10 shots, 6 shots on target. 2 corners, 8 fouls

Coventry City 42% possession, 4 shots, 2 shots on target, 1 corner, 8 fouls

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Second half

Rose has replaced Østigard and Shipley has come off for Allen at half-time. Stacey gets a cross in and Adam Smith's header is picked up by the keeper. Lerma plays a great ball for Stacey and Gosling's shot is over. Poor finish from Gosling.

Rico fouls Dabo. Lewis Cook to Stacey, off Solanke and Gosling has slipped in Bournemouth's second on 51 minutes. A defender on the line couldn't get back. 1-2 to Bournemouth.

Stacey wins a corner. There will be another corner. Lots of headers and Surrdige puts a powerful header in and the keeper just stretches enough to keep it out. Steve Cook heads wide from the corner.

In the last five minutes, Sky Sports say Bournemouth have had 87 per cent possession.  Bournemouth are turning the screw. 

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Mepham plays it up for Surridge and Surridge is unlucky to be pulled up for that looked like a shoulder barge.  Rico wins the ball. Gosling has turned and blitzes the goal, that was pinged into the net from 30 yards! 1-3 Superb strike, majestic.

Lerma fouls. Surrdige cuts inside and hist a shot that is saved at the near post. Mepham takes a knock. Adam Smith is carded for taking down Dabo. Hamer has been sent off for raising his hands on Steve Cook! Steve Cook is also yellow carded for a push. The free kick is headed on, Callum O'Hare hits the side netting.

Bournemouth are playing the possession game now and working the ball. O'Hare is pushed over by Gosling who is carded. Rico goes in hard on O'Hare.

Billing is on for Lewis Cook on 77 minutes.  Solanke almost rushes the keeper. The game is playing out fairly quietly now after all the niggly stuff earlier this half.

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Simpson relaces Rico on 83 minutes. Simpson puts a cross in that s cut out for a corner. Coventry substitute Giles for Sam McCallum on 87 minutes.

Simspon's cross is palmed away. Ofoborh replaces Gosling on 91 minutes. It's Ofoborh's first league appearance. Four added minutes.

Summary

Bournemouth fired themselves to the top of the table tonight and yet there is still more to come form the team. The strikes from Lerma and Gosling were precise and the whole team passed the ball well. There were some feisty moments to the match, but the Bournemouth players managed to keep their heads.  For an away performance it was a well-controlled game for Bournemouth even if they did let it slip at the end of the first half. There was a good attitude and players didn't want the three points to escape them. On to the next one.

AFCB line up

AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Ofoborh, Billing, Brooks, Anthony

AFCB Ratings

Begivic 6, Mepham 6, S Cook 5, Rico 5,  Stacey 6, A Smith 6, Gosling 8, Lerma 7, L Cook 6, Surridge 6, Solanke 6

Coventry City
1 Marosi, 2 Østigard (Rose 45), 5 McFadzean, 15 Hyam, 23 Dabo, 38 Hamer (Red card 68), 14 Sheaf, 18 Giles (McCallum 87),  26 Shipley (Allen 45), 11 O'Hare, 24 Godden

Coventry Subs
4 Rose, 6 Kelly, 8 Allen, 19 Walker, 20 Bakayoko, 21 McCallum, 31 Billson

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth look to keep their undefeated record going away at Coventry

Top competition in AFCB's midfield for Middlesbrough game

Jason Tindall has a few key areas in which to make decisions for this weekend's game but I am most interested to know what he will do in midfield. The team has played very well in pre-season and in the opening league and Carabao Cup games under Tindall, and now he really will start to show who he feels are the strongest candidates to lead AFCB's campaign to get back to the Premier League.

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Who plays with Lerma?

It is hard for any AFCB team not to pick Jefferson Lerma. He has the power and strength to get underneath opposition players and disrupt things, so I can't see JT not using him when he is fit. It is trying to work out who works best with Lerma which is a more difficult decision. Lewis Cook was preferred in the first match against Blackburn Rovers before being replaced by Dan Gosling in the second half. Eddie Howe always seemed to favour Philip Billing, but he only got five minutes against Blackburn. Billing and Lewis Cook then played most of the match against Crystal Palace, along with Harry Arter. 

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With Lerma having been rested midweek, he should be okay to play. Tindall may put three players in central midfield and just play with Solakne as the main striker. That may make his decision for the middle a bit easier, perhaps with Lerma, Lewis Cook and Dan Gosling filling these positions. He could then include Danjuma and Brooks and the wide players and use Surridge to partner Solanke upfront. But I think this would be too offensive.

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If he just has two central midfielders he can play three at the back and have two wing-backs operating and set up as a 3-4-3. This option also allows AFCB to go defensive very easily with the wing-back slotting back into a back five. The good news is that JT has plenty of options and we haven't even mentioned Ofoborh who played against Palace who can play in midfield.

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In other news, Nottingham Forest has signalled interest in capturing Harry Arter.

Possible AFCB Line-up

AFCB Subs: Dennis, Simpson, Rico, Billing, Gosling, Stanislas, Surridge

Is Lerma too good for the Championship?

While there have been numerous rumours of bids coming in for Bournemouth midfielders, the noise around Jefferson Lerma is suspiciously quiet. Does this mean that no clubs fancy taking on the Colombian international with his heavy disciplinary record? Or should we not be worrying about this, and thanking our lucky stars if AFCB can hold on to Lerma in the Championship?

Lerma would be a powerful force in AFCB's central midfield in the Championship/

Personally, I don't think Lerma draws much attention to himself. While we know his merits as Bournemouth fans, he was perhaps less well tracked than others, when he was in the Premier League, and he could well go under the radar, if Bournemouth are to accept bids for other more well-known players.

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I don't think Lerma would have any problems in the Championship. He would like the physicality of it, and I expect he would be able to show that he is a level above it by finding more time on the ball than many of his opponents. Getting Lerma up for the challenge of the Championship would be a massive feather in JT's cap. A team can be built around hm and we could see more of a leadership role for Lerma, if he sees it his mission to help the club get back to the Premier League.

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If offers did come in for Lerma, I expect they would be considered, but to keep him really would be a bonus if other midfielders like Philip Billing and Lewis Cook attract more attention.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Is it wise for AFCB to sell Lewis Cook?

Is it wise for AFCB to sell Lewis Cook?

Football Insider has claimed that Bournemouth have put a £15m price-tag on Lewis Cook as Leeds United are said to be interested in bringing him back to Elland Road. This would be a £9m profit for Bournemouth compared to what they paid for him, but would it be the right time to let Lewis Cook go out of the door at Dean Court?

Lewis Cook will surely be tempted to rejoin Leeds Utd.

I believe Lewis Cook would be the perfect English midfielder to help get Bournemouth into the play-off positions next season or even better. He has never let AFCB down and is tenacious in the tackle and insightful at finding through balls. For me, he'd be a player that fits the bill for making Bournemouth a class above many other Championship sides.

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The boot is on the other foot now though Leeds United have the financial clout to meet the asking price and Lewis Cook would surely enjoy a return to his previous club and to keep playing Premier League football.

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For Bournemouth's point of view, they ave to be careful who else leaves from central midfield. Andrew Surman has already been released and you have to worry about Lerma wanting away, while Billing and Gosling are perhaps the central midfielders who we might expect to be part of things at AFCB going forward although Aston Villa are thought to be interested in Philip Billing. S too lose Lewis Cook would leave a bit of a hole and I'd say £15m is not enough to put top clubs off picking him up. Lewis Cook was always under played I felt during Howe's reign and could easily want off himself.

Of course, Bournemouth will have been impressed by what Nnamdi Ofoborh did at Wycombe Wanderes last season, and it could be in JT's mind to give him a run in the Championship. So perhaps the central midfield area is not looking so bad, especially if Lerma doesn't move. I think Bournemouth fans would be pleased to keep one of either Lerma or Lewis Cook. To lose Lerma, Billing and Cook would certainly be a major rebuild for AFCB.

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