Defoe back of the line?

If you want to be hard on AFCB after the 0-0 draw with Southampton the worst you could claim is that the team was scrappy in its performance. The control and management of the game was perhaps harder than some other matches. The tension was high, because it was a game that neither side would be happy about losing. The non-derby, that is a derby aroused plenty of passion and noise in Dean Court, and yet it didn't manage to raise AFCB's performance enough to keep the wins coming.

Defoe is at the back of the line, but we still see him on the bench.
It would be better to see him winning games though.

Southampton surely set out to disrupt and spoil and they kept two goal scorers on the pitch all the time which was important to keep Bournemouth occupied. The last part of the game perhaps said more about where the teams are in the league than anything else. Southampton were wiling to risk going all out for the win with Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long entering the scene, while Bournemouth opted for Ibe and Gosling in the last quarter of the game which was perhaps more cautious than adventurous when Jermain Defoe was sitting on Bournemouth's bench.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

It was perhaps even more surprising that King did not make way for Defoe when the Norwegian striker had been feeling an ankle knock when on international duty. I suppose if Howe had told Defoe to go on, it would have been a signal for the team for all out attack and that can back fire. Was Howe protecting AFCB's league position? He said he felt the game was slipping away for Bournemouth's control and that Gosling was therefore preferred to Defoe. A point from a home game is not a bad point if it is a game you might easily lose.

As long as Bournemouth's points haul continues to grow, it's safety that gets closer. That has to be the first priority. If scrappy means you don't get beaten and pick up a point, I'm sure it allows us to enjoy the big win games even more. Perhaps we will see more of Defoe in those less scrappy games? 

In other news, Man City are said to be keen on Nathan Aké, according to the Sun.

A Nil-Nil how very unlike AFCB

Well, we didn't get the three points we all hoped for against the noisy neighbours last weekend. A nil-nil draw was so unfashionable that nobody predicted that score in our score predictions! But perhaps we should focus more on the fact that Bournemouth kept their second clean sheet in a row, which is almost just as unheard of.

Begovic to the rescue.

You have to go back, almost a year, to 25 November 2017 when Bournemouth played Swansea City away for the last 0-0 draw involving AFCB. Bournemouth simply don't do games when they don't score, or let one in, so what Southampton achieved was pretty special and we should give Mark Hughes some credit for the way he set his side out. To nullify the threat of Brooks and Fraser was a major part of his plan and the two-centre halves of Stevens and Hoedt were very strong under pressure, once they had weathered Adam Smith first sortie into their box.

When Iwatch a goalless draw, I always come away thinking you have been short changed, but Asmir Begivic was again at his best in goal and did extremely well to keep a shut out with chances falling for Austin, Armstrong and Gabbiadini in particular. Bournemouth could easily have lost the game 0-1, or even won it 1-0 with the chances that King and Aké might have put away another day.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

I did feel that Bournemouth did play better in the second half, and tried to build some momentum with the crowds' help. Still, it was an end-to-end game and yet with few chances. So I'm not that disappointed to see Bournemouth remain in sixth place in the table, and still with a chance to make it 20 points from 10 games going into their next match. UTCIAD!

It will be fun to beat the Saints

There is only one message that Eddie Howe should need to say to his players coming into this match. Southampton are a good team and will believe this is three points waiting for them - let's give them their hardest game of the season. After all, it's fun to beat the Saints!

Can AFCB be the thorn in the Saint's season?

Bournemouth did not manage a win against the Saints last season despite having a Harry Arter penalty to win the game at St Marys. The home game at Dean Court was more of a battering with Rodriguez returning for the Saints to get a double in a 1-3 away win. At least Rodrigues is not going to be running out this time. But Charlie Austin could be back in the team as well as Manolo Gabbiadini if Southampton have the ambition to really try and take the game away from Bournemouth from the off. Shane Long could be out though with a calf problem.

Southampton may have set up defensively against Man City, but they aren't going to be as worried about facing the Cherries. It was unusual for Oriol Romeu to score the Saint's goal but they did not have many attackers on the pitch. I'm happy that Southampton will come forward more in this game, as that does make it more of a risk for them if they do lose the ball and leave themselves open to counter attacks.

Bournemouth managed to do the counter-attacking well against Huddersfield in the second half with 10-men, so it is mad that the Cherries have struggled to do as well n their next two games. But if they get it right, they could have some fun with the Saints. How good would the players and the fans feel with a win and climbing above the Saints? Eddie has to get across to the players and fans that Bournemouth season starts again here, if they want it to. They can either go back to thinking about a spell in the relegation zone or they can have some fun and take points off of Southampton. It's doesn't have to be a game ruled by fear of losing, it can be just good to go onto the pitch and believe it is your day and that everything is going to come off for you. We need the fans to get right behind the team for this one.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

It doesn't just happen, AFCB will have to work for every ball, every tackle, knockdown and every moment in the game when they can take the advantage and stop Southampton from playing. The players need to feel it is great every time something goes their way and keep believing the next ball will also fall their way. AFCB need some positive thinking and they need to make it happen for themselves, but we'll do our part in the stands because it is fun to beat the Saints, and AFCB have not done that enough!

Rival Lines: "We're weaker without Gabbiadiani," says George Weah's Cousin

Rival Lines

Match Preview: Southampton v AFCB

Blogger Interview: George Wear's Cousin

Twitter: @gwcdotcom

Playing Southampton is always a game that I find a bit odd. I like to think of it as a derby even if we haven't had many and winning at St Mary's for any team is a good result. But Chris at George Weah's Cousin might have a few things to say on why the Saints will be ready to dash AFCB's hopes come Saturday afternoon. Let's see what he thinks.

CC: What do you make of Southampton's season overall when considering the European games, League Cup final appearance and the current position in the Premier League?

GWC: It's certainly been a 'different' season. League form has been inconsistent, yet monumental trips to the San Siro and Wembley have made it memorable.

I think Claude Puel made some mistakes with the amount of rotation he did when we had a plethora of fixtures early on, and perhaps his original formation was flawed. Of late the rotation has been a lot less and he has reverted to 4-2-3-1 which has allowed players to come out of their shell. He is learning the Premier League, I think people forget that and some criticism of him has been unfair. He seems to be  rectifying some early mistakes.

CC: Claude Puel was within an inch of probably getting legendary status like Lawrie McMenemy had he beaten Man Utd at Wembley in March, but do you see much progression in the way the team is playing than how it was under Ronald Koeman?

GWC: Wembley was as fantastic as it was frustrating. We should have won that game, and Puel and the team came away from it with so much credit. I think he is a more hands on manager than Koeman, especially when it comes to training etc. He is much more prepared to use the club's youth players too when he needs them. Where Koeman opted to loan in the distinctly average Elia and Djuricic from abroad, Puel was happy to use Sims/Hesketh/McQueen and I can tell you now the latter options were much more impressive.

Don't get me wrong, we lost a very good manager in Koeman, but personally I think Puel is a good replacement. I get the feeling he has more long term interests.

Advertisement 

Broom Hill Garden Buildings

CC: Southampton have only let in 36 goals this season, which is commendable but has this meant less attacking football with only 33 goals scored in the Premier League?

GWC: We've not quite managed to get the balance right. We either seem to be great at defending or attacking but never both. This has got elements of bad luck to it though. Charlie Austin was providing the goals and then got injured, while defensively were fine until van Dijk was assaulted by Jamie Vardy [Ed- a bit strong 'assaulted' - well Vardy certainly stood on his ankle, not sure of any intent]. We've not played with a full strength team yet!

CC: Manolo Gabbiadini has been in my mind the bargain of the season, but are Southampton much weaker without him?

GWC: In a word yes. The impetus completely changed when he arrived. He is a 'proper' striker. The runs he makes have caused havoc in defences and the likes of Tadic and Redmond have been able to pick him out. He is always looking to score, and that greediness is something our other forwards seem to lack.

CC: Were you disappointed with the way the José Fonte departure came about?

GWC: Yes I was. There are plenty of rumours about what was going on behind the scenes and I certainly feel he has tainted his legacy as a Saint. He was a fantastic servant though and it is difficult to wish any ill towards him. He won the Euros and it changed him. I'm not sure the 'United' he ended up at was the planned destination though.

CC: Do you think Nathan Redman now needs to find consistency to become not only a Southampton but England regular?

GWC:  I do. I was very keen for us to sign him as I had seen his potential at Norwich and Birmingham but it's fair to say he had a slow start. With the formation change of late though he has flourished. I think Puel saw him as a striker but has realised he is a winger/attacking midfielder. He's got the talent and the attitude to go far.

CC: What would you say has been Southampton's best result of the season?

GWC: Beating Liverpool 1-0 home and away in the EFL cup semi finals. We were much better than them and I don't think you'd find a scouser who would argue that. We beat them tactically, technically and comprehensively.

CC: It could be a bit of a southern Premier League next year, if Palace and Bournemouth avoid relegation and Brighton and Reading are promoted. Do you see the lack of derby games for Southampton as a help, or a hinderance when there are so many Premier League clubs with big rivalries?

GWC:  I see it as a help. Derby games are great, but unpredictable so they present an opportunity to lose points against the grain. In League One and the Championship the rivalry with Brighton was a lot fiercer than it ever has been with you, so it will be interesting to see if that is revisited. I don't count Reading.

CC: Were you worried at all at the end of January when Swansea City beat the Saints that you could be dragged into the relegation battle?

GWC:  Arrogantly, no. We've been inconsistent but we are a top 10 squad. There are some really poor sides in the bottom half (I'm not sure there has ever been worse).

CC: Jay Rodriguez destroyed the Cherries last time the teams met in December, so would you expect him to get the vote to start over Shane Long or Charlie Austin if Gabbiadini remains injured?

GWC:  I think Long will start, mainly because he has more football of late. It's a big blow to us if Gabbiadini hasn't recovered [Ed- Puel confirmed yesterday that Gabbiadni was out for this game] but other players need to take their chance when they get the opportunity. Rodriguez was great in Bournemouth, but it's not a regular occurrence these days. It's a huge shame because he was fantastic before his big injury.

CC: What do you make of AFC Bournemouth's second season in the Premier League and have you been impressed by any of the Bournemouth players?

GWC:  I thought you'd go down this season, but you look comfortable again. On paper your squad looks poor but it's perhaps credit to Eddie Howe that you continue to surpass expectations (mine at least). I'm a big fan of Wilson and King.

CC: I'd better ask you for a score prediction? 

GWC: 2-1 if Gabbiadini plays. 1-1 if he doesn't. [Ed- Well, he doesn't]

CC: Thanks to Chris at George Weah's Cousin. I like the way Chris may have changed his opinion about AFCB in that the Cherries now look more like on of the comfortable teams that are likely to stay up. I still want to see a few more points though before I can say that with confidence. The inconsistent form of the Saints gives me sum hope that the Cherries might get something on Saturday but having had the international break form is virtually thrown out of the window. Southampton have found another manager that can get results though and get to a cup final. I still hope for the day when AFCB might grace Wembley in this century. Such memories of Wembley for Southampton fans will stay with them and it's good to see a good few Southern teams doing well this season.

Don't forget to check out the Rivals at George Weah's Cousin 

The Cherry Chimes' Newsletter is out tomorrow.

Cherry Chimes' April Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Josh King's on fire - your defence is terrified!

To sign up for the newsletter just complete the form below - like all good things it's free!

Email Address 

First Name

Last Name

Email Format

• html
• text