To take a point of Dyche would be a big result for AFCB

Looking at the data for StrataBet, there is a strong indication that Bournemouth could well get a draw up at Turf Moor to complete their third season in the Premier League. Burnley are averaging 1.28 goals at home and Bournemouth are hitting 1.09 goals away from home. This might not be a goal thriller, but neither manager will like losing to the other in the battle of the two young British managers go head o head.

Eddie Howe has found it hard to get points against
his old team but today he can go all out to get a positive result.

While Sean Dyche has had the edge on Howe and many other managers this season, he hasn't seen his side blow many teams off the park in high scoring games. Bournemouth will have a game plan to try and hold Burnley early on and try and get their passing cutting through a defence that has only conceded 37 goals this season or one goal a game. It is a tremendous record and perhaps Eddie Howe should not be looking as far north as Scotland for more defenders, but should take a closer look at what a team in Lancashire is doing well.

The form of Tarkowski has taken him into the England World Cup squad along with Nick Pope and it's arguable that the midfield grit of Burnley's Berg Gundmundsson and Jack Cork is a duo that have given better teams than AFCB difficulty in breaking through.

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Burnley may not have strikers that excite for 90 minutes, but they do come alive in and around the box and any chance that Chris Woods has he regularly buries, while Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes are powerhouses that will hold the ball up well and being others into play. Burnley overpowered AFCB to some extent in the earlier fixture this season, so it will be intriguing to see if AFCB have found a way to combat Burnley's strength better in this away fixture.

Burnley Home Form
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AFCB Away Form
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Tyrone Mings Tweeted yesterday that himself and Emerson Hyndman are ready for today - is that a hint that both could start?

AFCB have to match Burnley's intensity

Burnley have not survived in the Premier League by just putting up a defensive block or stopping other teams from playing. They are a solid working group of players that have a strong team spirit and high energy that does not make them an easy team to play. I remember Sean Dyche saying that at the end of last season that AFC Bournemouth had shown teams how to survive in the Premier League, and Burnley have added their own element of quality to the high intensity they play with.

Will AFCB come out with the high intensity to take the game away from Burnley?

While the vast majority of Burnley's points have come at home they have enjoyed the underdog tag and have amounted 11 win just like the Cherries. Tom Heaten has been so good in goal that he has had England call ups, and Michael Keane won high praise for his recent appearance in an England shirt against Lithuania. Their midfield is also packed with energy. George Boyd, Scott Arfield, Jeff Hendrick and Johann Berg Gudmundsson have all played a big part in their season and  having played so many games together as a tight-nit group they have great understanding. Even the suspension of Joey Barton has not slowed their progress and Harry Arter and Lewis Cook will have to be at their best for this game.

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Burnley have been brave by playing two up front for most of the season. They have an identity and courage about the way they attack with pace and strength. They don't mind playing a long ball but can also mix play up. What they like above all is to make games a real contest and that is why I find it strange they have not won more points away from home.

Sean Dyche still has to work out the club's best way of getting points on the road but if he can find the answer as he did against Crystal Palace, then Burnley might have an even stronger second season in this league. In some ways this game will be a test for Dyche to see if he can replicate their last away result.

Probable AFCB team: 4-4-1-1 Boruc (GK), A Smith (RB), Francis (CD), S Cook (CD), Daniels (LB), Ibe (RW), Arter (CM), Gosling (CM), Pugh (LW), Mousset (FW), King (FW)

Subs: Allsop (GK), Mings (CD), B Smith (LD), Fraser (RM/LM), Stanislas (LM/RM),
Gradel (LM/FW)

It is very sad news to hear that Paul Willis is no longer with us. I'll miss not seeing him at home and away games. He'll be truly missed. Please all applaud loudly on 44 minutes in tribute to Paul - a great AFCB fan.

Rival Lines: Burnley have played best against top sides, says No Nay Never

Rival Lines
Burnley v AFCB
10 November 2016
Podcaster Interview: No Nay Never
Twitter: @NoNayNever

It's time to catch up with Burnley FC supporters ahead of our game at the weekend and who better to ask about what is happening at the clarets than our old friend Jamie, at the excellent No Nay Never podcast. There is an up to date episode on the No Nay Never podcast that talks about the Bournemouth game so do have a listen. But in the meantime, here are the questions I put to Jamie and his responses.

CC: Have you seen much difference in the side to how it went about games in the Championship?

NNN: The approach is fairly similar I think - we're trying to sit tight in most games and nick a goal somehow. But obviously the quality of opposition is a lot higher, so our defence isn't as strong and our attack isn't as effective. We need to be more flexible.

CC: Is it all about home form for Burnley or have you got the players and know how to get away wins in the Premier League?

NNN: It is so far! But we can't assume that we'll get 35 points or so from home games, which looks like what we'll need if we're to stay up. At the moment it looks like a different team away from home - there's no confidence and as soon as we go behind heads start dropping, the belief just isn't there. It seems to be a mental problem as much as a team selection or tactics issue right now.

CC: Have you been surprised to get good results against Liverpool, Everton and Man Utd?

NNN: Yes and no - we got results against top sides at home in our two previous Premier League seasons. United looks a bit like a fluke now - Tom Heaton had the game of his life and they missed a lot of good chances - but against Everton and Liverpool we played really well. In fact we've played better against good sides than mediocre ones so far this season.

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CC: Should Sean Dyche invest in another striker in January?

NNN: Goals are always key so it wouldn't hurt, but I really believe Andre Gray will score goals in the Premier League. For me, it's the supply line that isn't working well enough, not the personnel up front. Sam Vokes is on track to get double figures if he keeps up his form and Gray should be targeting the same. Jordan Rhodes has been linked in the press but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me - he's a one-dimensional player and Gray is better anyway.

CC: What have you made of Berg Gudmundsson?

NNN: I really like him. He had a pretty slow start but that was understandable as he was adapting to a higher league. But he's got a bit of everything. He's direct and a real threat, but also does all the defensive work we need from our wingers. It's a shame we don't have another like him for the other wing and we really missed him at Stoke - hopefully he'll be fit for Saturday but it looks unlikely.

CC: Which player is the one you can't afford to see leave the club in January?

NNN: Michael Keane is a key man and we're likely to have a lot of interest in him. But the club has already made it clear he is not for sale and Keane doesn't seem like the type of player to force a move, so I think we'll probably hold on to him until the summer.

CC: Are there any young players at Burnley that could break into the team in the next 12 months?

NNN: Dyche has no record whatsoever of bringing through youth at Burnley, so it seems unlikely. Teenage midfielder Aiden O'Neill had some game-time earlier in the season and appeared to be a decent prospect, but there's been so sign of him for a while now.

CC: Which side is the worst you have played so far and which three teams do you think will go down?

NNN: Hard to say really as all our wins have been close - we've not dominated anyone. Liverpool were pretty rubbish against us but we stopped them playing expertly and Crystal Palace were extremely poor defensively. I don't see Swansea staying up, Hull are going to find it hard and then anyone of about 6-8 clubs could be the last team to go. I'm going for Leicester though - their focus seems completely on the Champions League.

CC: What did you feel about the way the team played against Stoke City in your last game?

NNN: Pretty terrible really. Lots of fans thought the second half was positive and a big improvement, but Stoke shut the game down and we created almost nothing. It says a lot that a 2-0 loss with zero clear chances is being touted as a decent performance, given our woeful away form. There's a real lack of creativity in the team and nobody seems willing to take responsibility in the final third.

CC: How do you expect Burnley to set up against AFC Bournemouth?

NNN: No idea! Dyche went back to 4-4-2 last weekend and it didn't work, but 4-5-1 has served us quite well at home so it would be no surprise if it was Vokes on his own up front with Gray back on the bench. Whatever system it is, we'll stick a lot of players behind the ball and try and hit Bournemouth on the break.

CC: What is your score prediction for the game?

NNN: Despite being really poor away from home, we've been strong at Turf Moor so, as negative as I've probably come across here, I'm fairly positive for Saturday. Bournemouth can be got at if we press them right and we're due a clean sheet. 2-0 to Burnley.

Thanks Jamie for those answers. It is always fascinating for AFCB fans to see how Burnley are doing following Eddie Howe's association with the club and while it is a long way up to Turf Moor there will be plenty of hardy Cherries who fancy the trip to the northwest. These are three points which I think both teams will feel they can gain if they can play their best game, but it may come down to who can disrupt the other side best and knock them out of their normal game. I expect a close game but not many goals.

What are Charlton's strengths?

Charlton may be feeling like a bridesmaid left standing at the altar when AFCB come to play them today. It's not always fun to be at a party when you are not the centre of attention, but the Addicks have had a reasonable season despite having made a managerial change. Watford fans may say that they should have changed manager a few more times, but sitting in the top half of the table Charlton have certainly improved from last season and they will not want to come second best to Bournemouth at The Valley on Saturday.

What final day dramas will we see at The Valley?

Their strike force may not have scored the number of goals that the Cherries have but in Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Igor Vetokele they now have forwards that have played a season in the Championship and they are likely to be stronger for the experience next season. They both have 11 goals and Gudmundsson I hear has been perhaps the pick of the Charlton players this season. Chris Eagles is also a payer who can get on the score sheet but only came to the club on a free transfer in February having been at Blackpool - Eddie Howe will know all about the wide man from his days at Burnley.

Charlton have also defended well though and it is good to see that Stephen Henderson is getting regular games for them in goal. At the back they also have the Cameroon international Andre Bikey who is a season campaigner having played for Middlesbrough, Reading and Burnley in the past and he is now 30. Ben Haim an Israeli international also adds experience to the Addicks' midfield. Their season though has been a case of drawing too many games. Their draws are up to 18 now and if they had won eight of those games they would have been banging on the door of the play-offs.

So it has not been a totally bad season for the Addicks, but I get the feeling that they are looking forward more to 2015/16 from what CEO Katrien Maire had to say on their website about a preview before the AFCB game: "We will also be revealing our new home kit before the game and I hope that is one of many reasons why fans will already be looking forward to 2015/16."

Well hopefully Charlton fans don't have much more to look forward to on Saturday's display from their team than that. AFCB have to do their job which is to try and win the game. They may find a draw is also a good enough result to win the trophy. I'd like to see Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall pick up the Championship title more because of what happened a couple of seasons ago with Doncaster. The important thing is that the Cherries are up, but it would make the open bus tour a lot more special with a Championship winning trophy to hold up high.

I'd like to ask a favour from Sheffield Wednesday as well if I could - a clean sheet for you today please! It's not too much to ask for is it?

Let's not give AFCB a bad name. Allow Charlton to celebrate
their team on the last day of the season.

Finally, like AFCB I would like to repeat that while I Hope everyone has fun on the final day of the season, please behave and respect Charlton Athletic and keep off the pitch!! The presentations that follow the game should be great to see but for Eddie and JT and the players please keep off the grass. We don't want anyone spoiling the reputaton of our great club, especially with global TV viewing of the pictures from The Valley. Let Charlton enjoy their last home game and respect their fans who will help make it a special day at the Valley. 

Charlton Home Form
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AFCB Away Form
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Chicago Addick flies in to offer AFCB some Rival Lines

Rival Lines

Match Preview: Charlton v AFCB
Blogger Interview: Chicago Addick
Twitter @ChicagoAddick

You didn't expect me to have a quiet week when the Cherries have secured promotion did you. No, well with a final chance to squeeze in another Rival Lines with a Charlton blogger before we depart the Championship. Chicago Addick has been kind enough to spare Cherry Chimes a few moments of his time from his Bermuda hide away to let us glean a greater insight into Charlton Athletic. 

CC: What will you remember most about Charlton's 2014-15 season?

CA: The early promise under Bob Peeters, playing some of the best passing football I have seen in 40 years. The realisation that Peeters was useless tactically and after we got found out, he became clearly out of his depth. The utter derision that Guy Luzon’s appointment was met with after having the wool pulled over our eyes. The utter helplessness as we dropped down the table. The realisation that Luzon was actually his own man, a decent coach, played a simple game and got the best out of the players. Been quote a topsy-turvy season!

CC: Did you think that the teams that came up from League One last season made the Championship a tougher division?

CA: Very much. Wolves were always going to do well. I rate Jackett very highly. I also thought Brentford would adjust well, so that leaves Rotherham who became the league’s only ‘minnows’ if I can call them that. I always thought one or two of the ‘bigger’ clubs would struggle. Although how bad Fulham, Brighton and especially Wigan were surprised me.

CC: Do Charlton fans need to feel a common bond with their manager like they did with Chris Powell and Alan Curbishley?

CA: Yes. I think part of the tough adjustment we have had under our new owner and his network philosophy is that the club’s fans and owners and management was always pretty connected, and that is no longer the case. The game has changed of course and it is hard to form a connection with four managers in less than a year, but Addicks’ will always point to the club’s most successful times and the relationship they had with those managers – Jimmy Seed, Lennie Lawrence, Alan Curbishley & Chris Powell. It would be nice to have that again, but I can’t see it.

CC: Can you see qualities in Guy Luzon that you like?

CA: I think so. He got off to such a bad start that the initial rapport was exceptionally frosty. I still question his career and how he has got himself his jobs, but on face value he has instilled a stronger mentality playing players in their right position and using their best attributes. He simplifies things and is a straight talker. I doubt if The Valley will ever be serenading him from the rafters, but in tough circumstances he has stood up well. His second season at Standard was a disaster though, although mostly undone by the owner (our owner) selling his best players from under him. This summer is very important and Addicks’ will watch on carefully.

CC: Are there any early rumours of players that Charlton might bid for over the summer or are you more concerned with losing any of your players?

CA: Wikipedia Standard Liege, Sint Truiden, Upjest or Carl Zeiss Jena and help yourself! Seriously I sincerely hope that the management have learnt their lesson that The Championship is beyond 90 per cent of the network cast offs. The club need to sign players better than what we have be they from Belgium, Britain or elsewhere. Our immediate concern is who will stay? Yoni Buyens and Frederic Bulot will probably go back to Standard, then there are others out of contract. Most fans will be praying that Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Igor Vetokele and Joe Gomez stay and the club builds on what we have now, and not dismantles it. The summer will no doubt be as rocky a road as it has been since Roland Duchatelet took over.

CC: Sixty points is only six less than AFCB had last season when they were 10th so are Charlton not far off being a top six side?

CA: Probably only a couple of players as it stands. A big striker (that French bloke you’ve got will do), a commanding central midfielder who can grab a goal and a centre-half would probably have us competing for top six.

CC: Guy Luzon talked of a lack of quality after Charlton's last game against Birmingham but do you see that some of the Addicks' players have improved this season?

CA: Very few of them were around last season. Out of those that was is young Callum Harriott, but he has gone backwards and has had injury problems. Your old favourite Rhoys Wiggins has missed the bulk of the season to injury too. Morgan Fox has steadily improved at left back in Wiggins’ place and Joe Gomez has come into the first team at 17-years old and looks as if he has 300 appearances! The biggest improvement has been from Jordan Cousins, now playing in central midfield with Luzon, after Peeters insisted on playing him out wide.

AFCB have clinched promotion but is the game against Charlton more worrying for you now knowing that the title is still a possibility for the Cherries or do you believe it will give the Addicks more of a reason to play well and try and deny the Cherries something they want.

The last few games have been a struggle as Luzon tries to get them up for games that frankly don’t matter. Our last four games have been against other teams with nothing to play for, so I sincerely hope that AFCB bring the best out of us. I am personally glad you are already up, which takes the pressure of the day. My hope is that we turn up and not just roll over. Especially as I fly in from Bermuda Saturday morning just for the game. Congratulations to you and all Bournemouth fans and I look forward to being part of a great day out on Saturday.

CC: That has to be one of the biggest exile journey's to make - Bermuda to The Valley! How about that AFCB fans and Charlton aren't even going up. That's dedication and while I know Chicago Addick can't make every home match you won't find many more informed followers of the Addicks - some great answers. You can read more views on Charlton at Chicago Addicks' website.

Sadly, AFCB did not quite come out top in the football league ground awards but were highly recommended. They can rip the pitch up now I suppose as undersopil heating is a requirement of the Premier League!

Cherry Chimes' May Newsletter is out today and features the top stories from the blog in April to recall how AFCB reached the top flight. Stories include 90 minutes away from the Premier League and Fairy tales really do come true.

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Charlton blogger Dr Kish offers you a seat at The Valley

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Charlton v AFCB
Blogger interview: Dr Kish

While AFCB fans were biting their nails last weekend wondering whether the team was about to fall out of the automatic promotion places and wondering whether the result against Sheffield Wednesday had scuppered the Cherries' promotion charge, I took a few moments to send over some questions to regular Charlton blogger Dr Kish who as more than happy to calm my nerves and provide some clarity on some of the decisions taken at The Valley this season.

CC: Charlton changed their manager this season. Do you feel that the owner, Roland Dutchatelet, is dabbling with the club and risks alienating supporters and what happened at the fan meeting in February with him?

DRK: Well, Watford are in a similar situation, four managers in 36 days for them this season, with an owner who has other clubs under his command. I'm sure Charlton fans would like to have emulated the Hornets. Though Duchatelet is accused of interfering by some fans, there's nothing to substantiate the claims. He is a businessman and does not get involved with the day-to-day running of the club.

Nobody from the club was present at the fans' meeting. Since then, the team has been in reasonable form and the worries harboured by some have eased.

CC: Charlton sit in 10th place ahead of the last two games so are you fairly pleased with how the season went for the Addicks on the pitch?

DRK: I'm a firm believer that the table doesn't lie. In September, we would have been hugely disappointed with tenth, in January we would have been delighted with it. The 14 game win-less streak ended any hopes we had of ending in the top six, consistency is the key to success in football and we didn't have it in the middle of the season.

CC: Do you see much change in the way the team has played since Guy Luzon has been manager and can you see him lasting any longer than Bob Peters?

DRK: Peeters, like Chris Powell, was a defence minded coach. During his time in charge, all the six wins Peeters achieved were by a single goal and only once did the team score more than twice in a game. Luzon is much more attack minded, we have scored three in a game on several occasions, have come from behind to win - something we never did under Peeters - and continue attacking even if we are leading late on in a game. Luzon's team is much easier on the eye and his future looks assured.

CC: Who has been Charlton's best player this season?

DRK: Our Icelandic midfielder, Johann Berg Gudmundsson. He is capable of scoring spectacular goals.

CC: Charlton still doesn't have a 20 goal striker and do you think that is the main reason why you have not made it higher in the league this season?

DRK: Not really. When Cardiff and Hull went up a couple of seasons back, their top scorers netted eight and nine goals respectively. Inconsistency and an overly cautious approach earlier in the season are the main factors behind us not being higher in the table .

CC: Charlton have only lost three of their last 10 home games so this is not going to be an easy game for the Cherries is it?

DRK: It will be an open game, Eddie Howe worked out that scoring more than the opposition - rather than trying to concede less - is the key to success. Two talented wingers, good strikers, pace and speed of thought have served you well. Luzon will also attack, both sides will have chances and it is down to who has the composure to take them on the day.

CC: How has Stephen Henderson been in goal and do you think he is one of the better keepers in the Championship?

DRK: Stephen missed 14 games in the middle of the season and it is no coincidence that we did not win any of them. He was also out for a short spell earlier in the season. He is a top keeper at this level and key to our chances of success next season. I have not seen any keeper in the Championship I would swap him for, but as you guys know, he is injury prone. But for that, I think he'd be playing in the Premier League.

CC: The Addicks were a bit reluctant to give AFCB more than 2900 tickets for the final game of the season but conjured up another 1400 after AFCB chairman Jeff Motsyn pleaded with Charlton Athletic to release more tickets - any reason why can think why Charlton were so slow to agree to a bigger allocation of tickets for AFCB fans for such a special game for our supporters?

DRK: A few words on the figures to start. The Jimmy Seed Stand (the stand behind the goal which will house the Bournemouth fans) has a capacity of just under 3300. Watford, Millwall and Leeds have all brought well over 3000 fans. I assume the 2900 figure you quote is because the club (Bournemouth) had to reserve more than usual for players' families etc, given the importance of the game. Also, despite both clubs announcing the release of an additional 1400 tickets, I believe the figure is actually closer to 1500. There was never any reluctance to allocate more tickets, but there were a number of issues that had to be resolved. The Met Police are strict with segregation at London grounds and this is the first time that The Valley in its current form, has housed away fans anywhere but in the Jimmy Seed Stand. For the FA Cup ties with Brentford and Leyton Orient a few years back, the end two blocks of the East Stand (the one to the right of where you guys will be sitting) were given to the away fans. This was relatively easy, there were no season ticket issues, the stand has turnstiles at both ends and the two blocks have their own toilet and catering facilities. This season, Charlton sold season tickets in the end block for £150 and sold it out. I'm not sure of the legalities involved in moving season ticket holders but there is not enough room in the East Stand to relocate them all. The Upper West, where your extra tickets are, gives a fine view of the action and is normally fairly sparsely populated in the blocks you have been allocated. However, there are a number of season ticket holders in these blocks and Charlton contacted them all individually and gave them food vouchers by way of compensation. Also, the Met are unhappy about housing away fans above home fans and I believe the local council had to be contacted regarding the safety certificate. I think (correctly) both clubs did not want to say anything until all the issues had been resolved. I think Katrien Meire (Charlton CEO) deserves credit for making the release of extra tickets possible, and also Jeff Mostyn , for paying the considerable additional costs incurred.

CC: Do you think Charlton fans would be pleased to see the trophy at the ground should Bournemouth win the league and do you think such scenes could help inspire Charlton for next season?

DRK: Bournemouth's elevation to the top flight is a modern day fairy tale that any true fan will enjoy. The lifting of the trophy would not be the inspiration, you have already given that with the season you've had. A few years back Bournemouth were in the bottom tier of English football with a 17 point deduction. Now you are on the cusp of the Premier League, you have no debt, a summer spend of just £3.5m (and I guess most of that was recouped by the sale of Lewis Grabban?) and you have the smallest capacity in the division. If that's not inspirational, I don't know what is.

CC: What do you make of Eddie Howe's talent?

DRK: One of my favourite 'if only's' is how different things might have been had Eddie come to The Valley back in 2011. Fantastic manager who gets his teams playing the right way. Eddie's a cunning so-and-so, the season we signed Simon Francis he had been in dispute with Southend and missed most of pre-season.

First game of the season, we were at home to AFCB and Francis' fitness level being below par, a young Chris Solly played at right back. Eddie isolated Brett Pitman at the far post with Solly and exposed his lack of height.

Francis was ushered into the team before he was ready and had a poor season and had the crowd on his back. Eventually Franny left to fulfil his potential with you guys. Say no more.
CC: What is your score prediction for the game?

If both teams play like they did in their weekend games, Bournemouth will win in a canter! I'm hoping Charlton will be back on form and Eddie and the boys spend the week celebrating! I think there will be a few goals in the game.

I would like to thank Peter for giving me the opportunity to answer theses questions. I am typing these final words whilst watching the celebrations after the Bolton game!

Congratulations to everyone connected with Bournemouth. Enjoy the euphoria, the party at The Valley on Saturday, the summer, the sleepless night before the fixtures are released on 17 June and then you will know for sure it's not a dream. I will miss my favourite away trip next season but hope to witness a little bit of history on a sunny afternoon in August 2016, when Bournemouth entertain Charlton in the first ever top-flight clash between the two teams.

Good luck to you all, enjoy the Premier League! You will - like us for a few years - be everyone's second favourite team.

CC: We couldn't have asked for a much better farewell from the Championship than some of the kind words spoken by Dr Kish there. I think I can speak for most AFCB fans that we have thoroughly enjoyed being in the Championship and should the Addicks do an AFCB, and score a bucket load of goals next season, I am sure we will remember the day we are about to have at the Valley, especially the 1400 who already have Katrien Meire down to receive the first congratulations when the Addicks come up to join the Cherries!

As for the trophy I don't suppose SkyBet has a helicopter and a heli-pad at Charlton and Watford - it could be a bit of a hard decision where to land at half time on Saturday. Make sure you check out Dr Kish's site which has some excellent views on matters Charlton and Championship chat.

Tomorrow we'll be releasing the Cherry Chimes' May Newsletter which picks over the top stories from the blog in April to reflect on how AFCB reached the top flight.

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