The Cherries didn't want to come unstuck

This is the most difficult pint of the season for any team. The league has taken its shape and the need for wins is crucial because any slip ups seem magnified as everything is so tight at the top. I am pleased to say I have not wanted to check every game that Derby, Ipswich or Middlesbrough have coming up as it is all about AFCB now and the performances they put in. That is the beauty of being top of the league.

Okay, no new signings but the squad
has stayed together for a promotion push.

When we get down to the last 10 matches is when Willo traditionally says he looks at the table to see where AFCB might finish. I suspect that he might have already had a sneaky look and I don't blame him for that. The pressure on the players though is high enough. They know exactly where they are and how close they are to creating something very special. It's up to them to make it come true and I think the recent defeats against Leeds and Norwich City have refocused their mental drive to be on it for every game now. The players have seen their league lead come down to goal difference but they'll soon have more chance to widen the gap when they take on Derby at home.

The table could have looked much different had Watford won at Dean Court last Friday. The gap to seventh place is something that Willo said was important, as like all AFCB fans we are always looking at worst scenario first and the team has to try and be sure to at least get at a play-off spot. A few months ago that would have seemed unthinkable for such a club as ours, and yet now six place and a chance to go up through the play-offs is not something that we quite see as the main aim now. By the way Willo, you are busted if you know how many points clear of seventh place AFCB are!

It is the home form that needed to see an improvement for the Cherries, and now that it has I sincerely hope that some wins against the main rivals near the top of the table will see AFCB over that winning line come 3 May.

While some fans will be disappointed that no signings were made apart from Artur Boruc in the January window the important fact is that none of the first team squad was the subject of interest from other clubs and now the squad can concentrating on achieving what they want to this season. It would have been great to add some momentum with a key new signing like Demaria Gray, but sometimes a new player can spoil the balance what you already have. Somehow I imagine that the large amount of money being banded about could also be put towards some important ground improvements over the summer instead. The loan window opens in a week as well so there is plenty of options for Eddie Howe if they are needed.

Finally, let's hope that Eunan O'Kane recovers quickly after sustaining ligament damage in the Watford game.

Out thought by Redfearn?

It was clear from the start that Leeds were up for this game. Neil Redfearn had warned before the match that AFCB were due a defeat and that is what duly happened. Leeds had already got a win down at Dean Court and they know how to make a battle for everything when they meet the Cherries.

Neil Redfearn set Leeds up with a strong midfield that often left three against two we were told by Kris Temple and Willo at BBC Radio Solent. It was a night when AFCB needed to be right at it and it sounded like Matt Ritchie, for one, was off his game and hardly got a touch in the first half.

The Cherries were confident going into the Leeds match
but lost the battle in the first half hour according to Eddie Howe.

Tactics were certainly not going well for AFCB in the first half, but Eddie Howe dismissed thoughts of the Cherries not having the right system on the night. It was more of a physical and passing weakness that he was disappointed with in the first half. Leeds organised themselves well though and got back into their shape quickly, and that did not allow Pugh and Ritchie to have as much influence as usual, while Francis and Daniels did not seem to have the freedom to get in as many crosses as AFCB teams are used to feeding off. 

We have to remember that Leeds needed those points really badly and by getting a win against the league leaders they can then see a brighter future. It was a big ambition for them to win that match and their desire helped them cling on to the goal lead. It took a lot of effort on their part and it is a shame that they seem to keep some of their best performances for AFCB.

To see Harry Arter also come off is perhaps more a sign of things not going quite right. Harry is the engine room and for him to need a breather is unusual even though I expect he would have preferred to stay on. But Eddie was pleased when Dan Golsing, Yann Kermorgant and Junior Stanislas came on as it did lift the team, sadly just not enough for them to get a goal.

Smith returns to Dean Court on a permanent deal

Adam Smith (22) is the latest signing for AFCB in the January transfer window as he signs on a three and a half year deal. Cherry supporters will remember him from the time of Eddie Howe's first managerial stint at AFCB, although he probably played as many if more games in the number 15 shirt under Lee Bradbury. He certainly played a pivotal role at right back as the Cherries sought to get into the League One play-offs in 2010-11. As a Spurs player Adam has spent loan periods with Milton Keynes Dons, Leeds Utd, Millwall and Derby County as well as with the Cherries. He is a quick full back that has shown he can deliver telling crosses while also being a stern defender.

The move is likely to see Adam contend for a starting place in the team with Simon Francis. There has not been much cover for Francis since Eddie Howe returned to the club and with the amount of games stepping up again as we approach the Easter it would seem a wise move to get some more support for Francis at this time.

Tricky wingers in the Championship have been able to get round the back of Francis on occasion this season and his pace is something that is perhaps a slight worry to Eddie Howe. I have no worries about the way Adam plays his football. He is versatile and strong in the challenge and should be a good addition to the team.

I was disappointed when Smith decided to go to Milton Keynes having been at Bournemouth at the start of the 2011-12 season, only because I though he was one of the best young full backs I had seen at the club in recent years. Having been capped at U21 for England Smith is still one for the future and if Spurs feel he is not ready to feature in their match squads then I'm very glad that he'll be playing for us rather than one of the other Championship clubs. With Kyle Walker holding the right back position at Tottenham, I am pretty pleased that they can allow Smith to come out on loan as Walker does not give me much confidence even if he may make the plane to Brazil in the summer.