This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries, it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that inspired me to write this blog.
Callum Wilson has made no secret of his wage demands, if anyone is going to bid for him this summer. He may have frozen a few clubs out by asking for £75,000 a week, but Tottenham are willing to meet those demands, according to the Daily Express.
Is Callum's new home going to be at Tottenham?
A move to a London club is ideal for Wilson who may not have to completely up root his young family to play at Spurs. Going to a top six club and playing his football under an established manager like José Mourhino would be a big step up for the former Coventry striker. There maybe difficulty for him in getting opportunities to play next to Harry Kane, but if Spurs dd look to play that way, it could really help Wilson's England claims, if he does well in the same side as Kane.
What we don't know is how much Spurs are willing to pay Bournemouth to sign Callum. It could be £25m or above, but the deal could be lowered if Spurs say they are willing to pay his wages and Callum is keen to go there. It certainly doesn't look like Callum will be with Bournemouth much longer, and for our club it is best if the done is concluded quickly, so that Bournemouth have the funds to go and get a replacement.
It is rather concerning that we haven't seem Bournemouth exercise any buying in the market yet and with 12 September not far away, I expect I am not alone in hoping for some action in the other direction. Bournemouth's bank balance is not going to win games if some of the money is not reinvested in players.
I would think that Callum's agent has been pressing his move as we are also getting near to the start of the new season, and for any player it is unsettling if you don't know where you will be playing next season.
Bournemouth did not want to lose in Manchester and they did everything they could to try and get a result. What Eddie did get though was a performance. It was a very positive evening despite not getting any points and while that gnarls in someways, it means that AFCB can go into the Liverpool match believing that they are very close to beating one of the top six sides and their next game could bring the victory they are working so hard for.
Eddie Howe has much to be pleased about the performance at Old Trafford.
United may not have had all their best stars out on the pitch but they will have been delighted that De Gea was in between the sticks for this match. The final stats read 14 shots in an away game for the Cherries and seven of them on target. That is not a team struggling to play well and yet Eddie Howe knows things are still not quite right as he got nothing from the game, but respect I am sure for Man Utd fans and Jose Mourhino.
United have not lost many games at Old Trafford and to lose by just the single goal underlines that Bournemouth have been working hard to narrow the gap on the best teams. They just need that break to get a win against such a team and if United did not have De Gea in goal Bournemouth might have done even better.
The goal itself was something out of nothing. Adam Smith will argue that he was fouled but the team did not deal with the cross from Mata who had time to look up and pick out Lukaku and Aké was out jumped while Begovic was slow to get across. Not many fans would have though AFCB would lose by just a single goal. Bournemouth were good with the ball when they had it, and the pressure the Cherries created was so many in number it felt like Bournemouth would get something at some point. Eddie Howe will not look discouraging on this result. While the table looks a bit worrying the performances are coming.
While pundits have already been mulling over the ruins of Man Utd's title hopes after the 11 point gap has opened up at the top, it won't make Bournemouth's visit to Old Trafford any easier. The Cherries have to up their performance in all areas and I'm tempted to suggest that the club really need to find something extra this month, so why can't it start at Old Trafford?
Bournemouth will have to find more improvement for Wednesday night's game.
Eddie Howe is always stressing that AFCB have to play well and that is the first and most important factor in the side getting any result. Yes, United have suffered a setback in their title ambitions, but they are not suddenly in disarray over losing one game. Eddie Howe must get his players concentrating in their jobs and believing that if they play positively they will be rewarded. There has been much mutterings about not getting decisions and being in the wrong end of decisions, both with United and Bournemouth and it is an easy excuse to make. But winning teams don't need excuses and perhaps Eddie needs to drill that into his players so that they are not looking for things to go against them but are expecting to see things go their way.
If Bournemouth can start with that kind of mentality, they will start expecting for things to come off for them and when they do it should spur them on further. It would also impose pressure on United who will be trying to recover from the weekend's result, and perhaps they will still be thinking of that more than the task at hand. The best way Mourhino can get around that is to change a number of his players so I'm hoping he keeps more or less the same 11 that tripped up at the weekend. Bournemouth have not beaten a top 10 side this season, but they have not been embarrassed either. Now we are looking for something extra. A big performance and a lot of character. These games are massive for Bournemouth and probably run-of-the-mill in Man Utd's eyes, but it's up to AFCB to make themselves more of a fixture for observers in matches like this and they need to leave the pitch knowing that they have given everything. Step it up AFCB - UTCIAD! Apologies for not getting a Rival Lines for this game. I hounded five or six United bloggers but I am assuming they are still licking their wounds after that derby defeat!
Rival Lines Match Preview: Chelsea v AFCB Blogger Interview: Chelsea Daft Twitter: @Chelseadaft
Well Chelsea have probably had a season to forget already as far as the Premier League is concerned. You'd be forgiven for thinking that some of the Jose brigade might bee feeling down in the dumps. Rather than skirt the issue though I was keen enough to ask Chelsea Daftwhat has gone wrong and whether Jose had rather lost the plot in recent weeks. We get right into it talking Jose, Petr Chec and the uncompromising Diego Costa. CC: What has it been like to be at Stamford Bridge this season watching your side play so uncharacteristically unlike Chelsea? CD: It's been frustrating to say the least. Normally, you can pinpoint one or two players who are out of form and not playing well. This season barring Willian, it's been everyone! CC: Do you believe that Chelsea are now back on track in terms of the players being back to their normal levels of performance now or do you worry about some of the players in particular? CD: I personally believe that 75% of the players are getting back to where they should be and the levels we are looking for. Eden Hazard in particular looks back on his game and re-focused. Others still need to raise their game if we are to have any chance of climbing the table and making a realistic challenge for the top four. CC: Was the Bradford City game in the FA Cup last season an early sign that Chelsea needed to add to its defensive strength in the summer and why John Stones was chased so hard? CD: Being honest, I don't think you can read much into the Bradford defeat on a lack of squad depth. If anything, the players thought that being at the top of the Premier League and cursing at that point; all they had to do was turn up to win it and they were turned over. Bradford were excellent that day and deserved the win. As for John Stones? It's clear that Jose believes that it's important to have a core of English players in his side and especially in his defence. Stones would be the natural replacement for John Terry and that's why I believe he tried to sign him. CC: Do you want Jose Mourinho to change and be bit more humble or do you like him being himself even if the club and results can suffer sometimes? (He does seem to like to think the world is always against him) CD: Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in the game and he is never going to change. Think back to when he left the first time and how people spoke to missing him. When he speaks, people listen whether they like him or not and let's face it, he tells it how it is. Would you prefer someone like that with personality or someone who is dull? CC: Was the sale of Petr Cech to Arsenal more damaging than Chelsea fans really appreciated in the summer? CD: Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it. Petr Cech was sold and it was a deal that suited everyone. However, no one would have predicted Thibaut Courtois' injury that has plagued his season. To be fair, Asmir Begovic has been outstanding despite our poor results. CC: Have you been disappointed with Diego Costa's form this season and can you put any reason on why it has not been going so well for him? CD: Diego Costa should be sold as quickly as possible in my opinion with his petulance on the bench against Tottenham towards Jose Mourinho as the final straw. No one is bigger than the team or the club and for someone who promotes team work and working hard for his team mates in the quotations he gives now and again, it's ridiculous. His movement compared to last season is non-existent and he is beginning to wind the Chelsea fans up. Someone like Cesc Fabregas has suffered because of Costa this season. Last season you would remember that Fabregas would pick the ball up in midfield, look up and Costa would be off on his bike. That combination was key for us last term. This year, he lifts his head and the movement isn't there and we are stuck passing the ball sideways. Sell him! CC: Willian has probably been Chelsea's best player this season but do you think he would get more star status if he was at a different Premier League club? CD: I believe that Willian is getting the credit he deserves in the media now. All the Chelsea fans know just how effective he has been for us. His work rate, his quality on the ball and his skills are immense. Finally, he is getting the goals to add gloss to his performances. He is out player of the season no matter what happens. CC: Can Chelsea put all their troubles behind them and win the Champions League this season or is the team short of a couple of players to really challenge the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich? CD: Chelsea can beat anyone on their day as we proved in 2012. Lionel Messi has never scored against us and we beat Bayern in their own backyard. It would be typical Chelsea to struggle in the Premier League but to go and make a real challenge for the CL. I do admit that Barcelona right now would be a tough ask! CC: Jose said Max Gradel was good enough to play for Chelsea but are there any other AFC Bournemouth players that give you concern from what you have seen of them? CD: I really, really like Matt Ritchie. He is quality on the ball and is a real danger. I have watched Bournemouth a few times and really like the way they go about their business. As you have seen this season, anyone can beat anyone on their day and Bournemouth are the same on Saturday. CC: Would defeat to AFC Bournemouth be a new low for Chelsea or would it simply be an unthinkable result? CD:No disrespect here but Chelsea are the Premier League Champions and to play a side that has just been promoted - you expect to beat them. Right now as we are slowly picking ourselves up and putting a run of results together, a defeat would be unthinkable not because its Bournemouth but because of our situation. Make no mistake. Chelsea need to be at their best week in, week out now and nothing less. CC: I really enjoyed putting those questions to Chelsea Daft as there is so much to talk about regarding the Stamford Bridge brigade. While Chelsea Daft was very honourable and respectful of some of the antics that have been going on at his club, I get the feeling that it would not take much for things to go out of control and that is kind of amazing seeing where Chelsea were in May this year. But clubs go through bad periods and like Man Utd, Chelsea will battle to try and get back to the top four this season. It is up to clubs like AFCB to put a proverbial spanner in the works and the game this weekend is a great opportunity for AFCB players to test themselves against the very best. Many thanks to Chelsea Daft, make sure you check out the site to see how their fans are viewing the build up to this clash.
As the first away match of the season for AFCB fans to go to on a the weekend, the West Ham match was the ideal opportunity for me to take my two sons, Robert and Stephen up to the capital and to take in a few sights before heading to the match. We caught the train up to London from Redhill and had the usual standing only place reserved specially for us as we headed up to Victoria station.
The three amigos looking for an AFCB win - Stephen, Robert and Peter (left to right).
On the train we met up with quite a few England cricket supporters who were trying to forget about Friday's batting collapse against the Aussies and were hoping that the side would bat all day long on Saturday (nevermind - at least they won the Ashes!). We talked quite a bit about the differences between cricket and football with the sponsorship and how the beers are on tap at the Oval and how we would all do that day under the intense heat that was already racing up in the train carriage - it got up to over 30C on the day.
Victoria station and no other footie fans in sight yet.
Stephen finds the first Chelsea store shut!
We spot the bigger main store at Stamford Bridge!
Once in London it was Stephen's big desire to head to Fulham Broadway as he was keen to see the home of the Premier league Champions. While it was going to mean catching the tube in the opposite direction our main destination of the day we were all rather keen to see what we could look forward to visiting later on in the season when we might not have as much time to get a good look at Stamford Bridge. It was quite a short work from the tube station along the main road to the ground and while Chelsea were playing on the Sunday against West Brom it was a good chance to see what the club shop was like and how big the stands were. Tours were going on all day with prices around £22 for adults and £15 for children under 16, if I remember correctly. We did not really have the time for all that but when we saw they had two club shops we were pleased that just one was open - the big store on two floors.
Stephen eyes up what cups would be better placed in AFCB's trophy cabinet.
Fabio (centre) shows Stephen, Robert and me around the shop.
Peter Osgood - one player Chelsea had that didn't cost £1 million. Weren't the 1970s great!
There we met Fabio who was keen to come right over to us having seen our AFCB shirts. "Welcome to the Premier League," he enthused with a big beaming smile. We told him that we were on a detour to Upton park and that we didn't want to miss the chance to visit another ground on the way. Chelsea was the ideal choice to put us in the Premier League mood as the home of the champions we explained. The trophy cabinets with replica miniature trophies came under close inspection and we were a bit shocked at the amount of different shirts that were available to buy, let alone the key rings, badges and masks of players and the manager. Fabio explained that the new mega store had only been there a few weeks and was finished in time for the new season. Up stairs we saw the European Champions League trophy which I explained to Stephen had been won by Liverpool some five times. I didn't shout that out too loudly! Having talked with Fabio about Jose and what he was really like - friendly and shy and a big family man - we were told! That sounds more like Eddie Howe! Stephen found something to buy and was pleased to get a Chelsea bag. We took a quick photo with Fabio, before telling him AFCB were coming back for three points in December. As we made our way back to the station we went past the Peter Osgood statue and took photos of some of the player posters around the ground.
Fulham Broadway underground station - waiting for a train.
Having got the bug for visiting grounds we decided that Robert's second club QPR also deserved a visit, so we hopped back on the tube and managed to get to Shepherds Bush by 11am. It was then a walk down the high street in the stifling heat that caused us to stop off for a drink before making our way onto the ground where preparations were already underway for their game against Rotherham Utd. A picture of Stan Bowles was on the front cover of their programme in tribute to him and his battle with Alzheimers. The club wanted to bring awareness to the condition and the need for more research to find a cure.
Closing in on Loftus Road.
Robert outside QPR's stadium. I'd only been there for a night game
before so it was good to see it in daylight hours.
QPR still have plans for a new stadium but Loftus Road has all the memories.
Sign on top of the club's shop.
Robert stops to get a picture will midfielder Michael Doughty.
The club shop is situated right on the road side and is narrow and quite a different set up to something like Chelsea's grand building. Still it is home to QPR and was no less packed with hooped shirts and goodies for their fans. Robert picked up a wristband - most things were on discount - and we managed to find QPR midfielder Michael Doughty on his way in to the game. He posed with Robert for a photograph and was very pleased to do it even though he had an AFC Bournemouth shirt on. "What are you doing over here?" he asked. "Your playing West Ham today aren't you?" He soon had a smile on his face when we told him it was Robert's birthday tomorrow and QPR was his second team. We should have asked if we could take Charlie Austin back with us to have a chat with Eddie Howe but I think QPR were in need of his services that afternoon and he scored a goal for them of course.
Having had our fill of football grounds for the moment we then decided to head to Kings Cross station and a certain platform in particular - 9 and 3/4. Yes, we were off to see the Harry Potter shop and to work out if we could buy some special wizard spells that we could cast on the West Ham players - 'stupify' should do it. It was a sign of how popular the children's spin-offs for Harry Potter were as we had to queue just to get into the shop! We didn't have that problem at Stamford Bridge or Loftus Road.
Robert checks out the Harry Potter goods.
Stephen couldn't resist getting a packet of Bertie Bott's
every flavour beans - whatever they are?
Come on you two! We have a match to get to.
After a quick bite to eat the time had moved on to 1pm and we needed to get the tube again on the Hammersmith and City line. In our hurry though we sat on a Circle line train (big mistake!) and started chatting to AFCB fans John and Adam who were also going to the game. John was from Blanford Forum and his son was up in London studying and they knew an awful lot about the Cherries with John having sponsored them many years ago. We talked so much that it was a shock that we finally realised we should have changed at Liverpool Street station and had to jump off quick at the Mansion House stop as we had started to head west when we needed to go East! Back on the right train though we soon reached Upton Park tube station by 2pm and passed the Queens Pub nearby, with hundred's of fans of the Irons taking on some liquid refreshment. Along the road there were loads of stalls selling Hammer's merchandise and we decided to follow AFCB fans the back way to the Trevor Brooking Lower stand. I just had time to meet my friend Damien Hill and grab the Cherries DVD from last season off of him (I still haven't had time to watch any of it yet) as well as the Liverpool match day programme that he got for me. Then it was a quick interview with a West Ham fan on Chimes' FanCam before making our way inside the ground and finding some shade while taking a few photos of the players on the pitch warming up. It was a great first half for us and the thrill of the first Premier League goal for AFCB was brilliant even though it would have been nicer if it had been up our end though in front of the fans. Two goals to the good at half time was great and I thought going into work Monday morning would be very satisfying with my boss being a West Ham fan.
AFCB players do their warm ups.
Someone does not enjoy our singing very much.
Photos before the start of the match.
Little did I know that West Ham would come storming back and I'd have several panic attacks before the Cherries finally got that all important win 3-4. That was entertainment! What a pleasure it was to be a part of that and to see the players come over and thank the crowd. it was like the Charlton game at the end of last season in terms of celebration all over again.
Robert believed this message was just for
him as it was his birthday on the Sunday.
What a great win!
Having been held back in the ground for some time there was no rush for the tube. We looked around West Ham's shop and the main entrance to get some more photos and to savour the moment of the big win. In the car park we met Marius Rave who reads Cherry chimes over in Norway. He saw 'Afcbchimes' on the back of my shirt and enquired if I was the writer of that blog. It surprises me how far my words and thoughts sometimes travel! But it is great to know that AFCB fans in other countries also follow the blog with such enthusiasm.
Robert in teh Boleyn ground with loads of empty West Ham
seats behind him as they all got let out first.
Gates in front of the main reception - a lick of paint might be required.
Good job they are only here for one more season!
Stephen and me celebrate AFCB's victory - not sure the
West Ham fans were that impressed.
That's it Robert, I think they know who the Cherries are now.
Marius and his friend enjoyed AFCB's win and even loves Cherry Chimes!
Having seen the queue at the Upton Park station going around the block, we walked to the end and then decided to walk on to the next station as it would be quicker than sitting waiting in the hot sun to get on a tube train. We weren't alone. Loads of fans had the same thoughts as us and when your team wins it does not really matter that you are walking through streets full of opposition fans that are just pleased to see you leaving. You can read my Shoot article that was out yesterday at Wilson shows he is ready for the top level
