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.

Nervy AFCB fans await transfer news

Transfer windows are supposed to be tense and exciting and this one is potentially a key one for the Cherries. The latest transfer speculation at AFCB is getting a bit nervy as news is slow to filter out of Dean Court.

Twitter conversation is rife between Charlton and AFCB fans on the future of Yann Kermorgant in particular. There are doubts whether Kermorgant will sign for the Cherries now, while Rhoys Wiggins has been offered a 4.5 year deal to stay at Charlton Athletic, according to BBC Solent's Kris Temple. Kermogrant may wish to stay at Charlton but could also still be tempted to go north to Celtic so perhaps Charlton fans should not rejoice quiet yet if Yann does not come to AFCB.

Meanwhile, there are strong reports that AFCB tabled a £1.5m bid for Cardiff City's Joe Mason that was turned down, although a fresh bid could be imminent. Other clubs now said to be chasing Mason include Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday.

While the talk is all about whether AFCB can secure the services of Kermogant, Wiggins and Mason I am happy that news is deflected away from any of our players. So far no bid news has come in of big clubs looking to steal away our young crop of talented Championship players and yet I am sure that some are waiting until the last minute. Shwan Jalal is the only likely mover so far to Bradford City, while Partington is likely to extend his loan to Aldershot, says the Bournemouth Echo.

Although Eddie Howe has remained fairly quiet about transfer targets it appears now that he certainly has been given funds to go and strengthen the squad and some major efforts are going in to bringing in more players. The starting 11 on Saturday could have one or two new names in it. The injury list that includes Daniels, O'Kane, Fraser and Rantie may mean that it will be quite a different team any way.

I would expect the Kemorgant and Wiggins deals will be sorted one way or another today, but the Mason target is the one that I believe Eddie Howe has been after for a long time and will more likely conclude tomorrow if successful.

Sit tight, it could be a long day and an even longer evening tomorrow night. UTCIAD!

Joe Mason deal would be good for AFCB, says Plymouth fan

Joe Mason who current plays at Cardiff City was formerly at Plymouth Argyle, between 2009-11 where he was spotted early. I spoke to a Plymouth fan, Colin my friend, about his early games in the football league and the views were very positive.

"He's a fantastic player. He should be playing at the very highest level but a series of injuries has really hindered his progress," Colin said. "I was lucky enough to be there when he made his debut, replacing captain Paul Wotton. He was 17 years old then I think, and he looked the part immediately. He's a great player with a good attitude."

Eddie Howe wanted to bring Joe into the club during the summer and there was much speculation about the move but Cardiff were then reluctant to let the young Republic of Ireland striker go. Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come in at Cardiff he is looking to make changes to the squad and Mason could be seen as being surplus the the Welsh club's needs. Mason has been on loan at Bolton already this season and will know exactly what playing in the Championship is all about.

With the national press signalling that Bournemouth were about to bid for the Irish striker, the Bournemouth Echo reported this week that the club has said there has been no official approach for Joe Mason. It remains to be seen if Howe really is going to add to his squad having kept Lewis Grabban and let Matt Tubbs go on loan, while Wes Thomas has left AFCB altogether. Wolves are said to be interested in Covernty's Leon Clarke so some of our fans may be disappointed that Eddie Howe does not look to be making an approach for him.

Many AFCB fans wanted a big and tall figure head striker, but it looks like that is simply not the way Eddie Howe wants to play. He is building a footballing side with fast movement and controlled passing, the big bustling forward has been left out of plans. While I agree that it is handy to have a plan B, if Eddie Howe can get nippy forwards to bang in the goals that are pleasing on the eye I don't see what there is to complain about. Arsenal and Barcelona don't play with hulking big forwards and small strikers can be successful in the Championship.

Does Eddie need to break the bank?

There has been a lot of talk in the last few days about whether AFCB need to bring in a new striker or, if not, two or three. While I do not want Eddie to go and break the bank to bring someone in, I am not sure if he will look to spend unless he does see a player with the right credentials at this stage. Since the early summer bid for Danny Ings we have only been signing free transfers and the budget is not going to allow for much more with these Financial Fair Play Rules.

We can 'um and ah' about who Eddie should bring in whether it be, Austin, Sharp, Ings, Mason, Vokes or Evans Blake to name a few, but he may well just resist the fan's clamour for reinforcements. Any striker that did come in would have to be able to play the AFCB way straight away and that would put Vokes and Ings ahead in my book. On the money front, I can't see Sharp or Austin as real candidates, however much we all like to dream. At least Evans-Blake could possibly be a free transfer and he did well last time around in the Championship in front of goal, even if Wolves did not fare well.  

Joe Mason is an interesting one as Cardiff City are absolutely resolute in that he is going nowhere, which tells me that AFCB have probably been fishing to see if they can get him on a loan move. With Tubbs having departed on loan I would not be surprised if  Eddie has something up his sleeve, but I would not expect a big money signing.

If we do keep our powder dry, and don't bring any one in, it may just help our cause come January when the team will know how it stands in the Championship. Then we will have some idea of what we could be lacking in, or what we need to push on in this difficult league - we'll just have to hope it is not too late.