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.

No easy ride expected for Cherries at Blackburn

The Cherries played fantastically at Ewood Park last season but will need similar resolve this time if they are to come away with anything. Blackburn are one of the side I believe should be in the top 10 with their quality and perhaps the form they showed against Cardiff indicates that they could do even better. I think a lot of how well Blackburn do will depend on not only Jordan Rhodes but Rude Gestede has started most matches with Rhodes this season.

Blackburn will be another difficult test
that will show whether AFCB are
likely to be top challengers this season or not.

Gary Bowyer has not signed that many players in the summer or at least has not splashed the cash. Alex Baptise was a loan deal from Bolton, Chris Brown also joined on a free transfer from Doncaster. Looking at the signings though they don't look like players who will put Blackburn in the top six, but stable performers is perhaps how I see the squad as a whole and I imagine the club's financial circumstances are starting to dictate how much can be spent now.

On the pitch it appears that Balckburn are going to be hard to beat and in the Championship that is not a bad starting point. Kilgallon and Hanley will make sure that they don't concede that many and Dunn and Tom Cairney are always powerful in midfield. AFCB have to make sure they keep things tight and don't overplay against Blackburn because it only takes Rhodes a second to get the wrong side of defenders and punish them with his quality. Coming away with a point from Ewood Park is never a bad result and if that is what the Cherries get rewarded with this weekend it won't be anything to moan about.

If you had not noticed Kyle Cotter has been busy checking out new possible talent for England's next campaign in the Euros. He has a profile on Calum Chambers who is at Southampton - see Kyle's Cups.

Good luck to Jayden Stockley who has gone on loan to Cambridge Utd until January 2015.

Feeney out to haunt Cherries in Blackburn game

Guess who has turned up at Blackburn Rovers just ahead of the fixture against AFCB? Millwall's Liam Feeney has signed a loan deal until the rest of the season at Blackburn as he looks to give Rovers a promotion push at a vital start of the season. While I would normally not be too concerned at former players lining up against the Cherries, Liam was always one of those players that you knew would give 100 per cent and he is the kind of player that can win a game on his own with a moment of magic.

While it has been a couple of seasons since he left Dean Court, Liam will know all about Eddie Howe's tactics and style of play having been part of the great escape and a successful play-off chasing League One Cherries team. Having already turned out for Bolton Wanderers this season and now Blackburn, you wonder why Holloway does not fancy the player in his side who, let's face it, are struggling in the bottom four. He must have his reasons, but Liam is a player who get's his head down and creates chances for others usually from the byline.

Will Adam Smith be required to come in for Ian Harte?

Now it will be up to Ian Harte to stop him if Ian is okay to play on Wednesday night. There was a period in the second half when the commentators wondered if he had taken a bad knock, but he played on through the Blackpool game. Adam Smith could well come into the side or Ritchie could move to left back, but I would not want to see Feeney up against a player who has not played regularly of late at left back for the Cherries.

Ritchie is another left back option if Ian Harte needs a rest.

Can Ian shake off the hard tackles he sustained in the Blackpool match.

For the away supporters travelling to the game I do hope that Liam plays and that they get to see him on the pitch. If things had worked out differently he could have been a player just like Marc Pugh who stayed at the club and experienced Championship life with the Cherries. Circumstances dictated otherwise but it appears as though Liam is still looking to find a place where he can play regularly in the Championship. It will be intriguing to see if he plays against Burnley today or if he is held back for the Bournemouth match. I only hope he does not save his best to spook the Cherries on Wednesday night.

Blackburn Rovers v Burnley kicks off today at 12.30pm.

Bring on Brighton

A few weeks ago I was fairly confident about AFCB. They were sitting high up in the Championship when teams like Brighton were struggling for form. But with a few defeats for the Cherries and a couple of wins for the Seagulls, I now see Oscar Garcia's team sitting handily just outside the play-offs, while AFCB are trying to hold on to the tails of those in mid-table. 

AFCB fans though should not be too downhearted. Our recent games against Brighton have been fairly tight affairs, but ones in which we have done okay. Who could not forget Liam Feeney's spectacular right wing volley at the Goldsands stadium, in January 2011, the last occasion we played this derby match? Perhaps Matt Ritchie can do something similar this weekend. I also remember the away game that season at the Withdean, when all seemed lost and AFCB were handed a very soft penalty in extra time which gave us a point, which was probably undeserved if I am honest. Still it was good to see us get the better of Gus Poyet and I remember him blowing AFCB fans a kiss as he left the ground, after all the banter.

Now Brighton have installed Oscar Garcia as manager and while he had a slow start he seems to be getting the results now. AFCB will have to be watchful of some new strikers instead of the more well known Hoskins, Ulloa and Lua Lua. It is more likely that AFCB will face Barnes and Conway or Lita in the forward line. Forster-Caskey in midfield has also been getting rave reviews from pundits. But at the back they also have experience in terms of Greer and Upson, while Kuszczack has been preferred to Ankergren in goal this season.

I expect another tight game, but I think this is one AFCB can win on their day. Brighton play a good attacking game like the Cherries and it could well be a high scoring match, but AFCB are due a home win and a clean sheet. It would be a sweet victory if AFCB get one tomorrow against the Seagulls with the SKY cameras looking on.

Catch up on the opinions of We Are Brighton ahead of tomorrow's game as Cherry Chimes puts some questions about Albion's current performances to Scott who writes on the blog. Click on Rival Lines to find out more.

Which ex-players can we expect to play against next season?

While AFCB fans will simply just be ecstatic that our club is now in the Championship can I just remind you all that we will be bumping into a few old friends when we go up. These will be familiar faces but should just be visitors. Mind you, you never know, our spending spree over the summer could take in another batch of ex-Cherry players who have decided to come back to the south coast on a permanent basis.

So who might we see then as a visitor to the Goldsands stadium who used to wear Red & Black?

First stop must be Burnley FC where most of our 2010-11 squad seemed to end up. Danny Ings has managed to make 32 appearances for the Clarets in the 2012-13 season, but made 17 of those as sub and has scored just 3 times.

Wait for it, I can hear the boos and hisses already! Midfield maverick Marvin Bartley has  made 24 appearances for the Clarets, 14 as a sub and has not netted this season. He"ll get an interesting reception at Dean Court.

How about Jon Stewart, who plays in goal but has not appeared for Burnley FC this season? I am not sure he would be a popular sight on the bench at Dean Court, having been dismissed by AFCB.

We could also include Burnley's Charlie Austin who had a trial but I don't think he ever played a senior game for AFCB, perhaps that could change in the future. 

Who might we pick out from Charlton Athletic? Midfielder Danny Hollands is out on loan at Swindon at the moment but he would be a great face to see again. Then there's yet another less popular figure in (I want a transfer request) Mr Rhoys Wiggins who has only made 19 appearances for the Addicks in the Championship this last season.

Keeping with the bad boys, I wonder if Wes Thomas will still be on loan or have a permanent deal at Birmingham City before the summer is out. I don't think he will come back to AFCB even if Eddie Howe seems to like his ability, but I have been wrong before.

Sometimes in the past I have wondered if we have been too much of a feeder club to Millwall FC. It is as if Kenny Jacket has his own season ticket at Dean Court and can pick the Cherries he most wants to help them stay in the Championship. He hasn't done badly in picking up Scott Malone who has surprising only made 16 appearances this season for Millwall and the much liked Liam Feeney who has made 25 appearances and has two goals. Of course Josh McQuoid is back with us, but he was another Kenny Jacket raid.

A big welcome will also go to Jason Pearce who has made 40 appearances this season and is ever present in the Leeds team. I don't suppose Eddie could entice him back to the south coast, could he? 

Anton Robinson is on loan at Gillingham, but is still a Huddersfield Town player. Might Eddie decide to see if Anton wants a return to the Cherries?

We may even see James Hayter if Yeovil are successful in the League One play-off. 

I expect we can add Marcos Painter from Brighton to our list having dabbled at being an AFCB player last season at left back.

I am guessing that the player who would be top of the list to see is Jason Pearce, but is there a more popular ex-Cherry player currently carrying out his craft in the Championship?

There is just one other familiar face that we will see, although he is a manager and not a player - Harry Rednapp. That will be a great day at Dean Court. I hope we can send Harry home to Sandra rather unhappy that weekend.

Have I missed any heroes or villains out? I expect you can add some more players who are likely to come visiting next season. Won't it be great though if we can beat Burnley, Charlton, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton, Yeovil (if they make it), Huddersfield and Millwall just for starters? UTCIAD