Could AFCB favourite make a return to Dean Court?

I was surprised on Saturday night to hear that Marc Pugh had been let go by QPR. But such are the financial pressures on Championship sides now that a 33 year-old, about to trigger an automatic 12-month extension by playing one more game, has been set free by the London club, who still hope for a play-off push. With Marc Hugh no doubt returning to his Bournemouth home, it is a great opportunity to go and get this model professional and offer him a player/coaching job at AFCB.

Go get Marc Pugh

Marc Pugh had been one of the standout performers for AFCB in their rise to the top and to see him cast aside doesn't leave me with a good feeling. He knows exactly what it took to get AFCB climbing the football pyramid, and his enthusiasm for the game, and his dedication to give of his best is just the kind of person who Eddie Howe should love to have around the club as it battles to stay in the Premier League.

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If Eddie Howe also wants to see Ryan Fraser extend his contract into July, he may also have a secret weapon in Marc Pugh, who is said to be very close to Fraser. But even if Marc doesn't have any influence over the Wee-man's thinking, it would just be great to have him around the club in the next few years to inspire and perhaps be an ambassador for the club.

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I am not sure if Pugh still feels he has a few more years left in his legs, but if he did and the Cherries did go down then again he would be a no brainer to have back in the squad. But I think he may want to do something away from football and AFCB. He has had good loan spells at Hull City and QPR, but he has nothing to prove anymore, Still he would be a valuable asset for any club who wants a good pro to help others get the most out of their careers.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can Danjuma make a difference?

The summer of change for AFC Bournemouth

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The summer is coming fast for Bournemouth, and the much expected and dreaded team changes are coming with it. The entirety of the club is waiting to see how the team will be changing as a result of a number of key players leaving and as a result of key players not leaving. It would not be an overstatement to say that everyone is more or less sad to see the good old players go, but what can be said of the results that them leaving will have on the game that Bournemouth plays? And why is it that these players are themselves so excited to be leaving their team behind? There are many reasons for the changes that are coming, and nobody can be truly sure about the predictions they will be making, whether this is the result of working with mightytips or some of the highest rated game analysts in the country. Let’s do a quick overview of who is leaving the team, who is staying and what this might mean for the future.

Marc Pugh is on player we know is leaving this summer, but how many more are going?

The ones who are leaving, or have left
There are five players from the team that will be leaving it behind this year, either to retire or to move on to greener pastures. Marc Pugh is the player who has been rumoured to be leaving the team in the 2019-20 season. One of the most important players that the Cherries have had, it would have been a shame to see him go, but it won’t be happening this year, but a little later on. After appearing in more than 2 thousand games over the nine years he has spent with the cherries, the player has become a beloved part of the team and, some might even say, one of the main faces the fans expect to see on the stadium.

The others leaving the team will be the goalies Jordan Holmes and Tom Parker Trott, two of the players that have contributed greatly to the team over the years of their presence here. The forwards Nathan Clements and James Boote will also be leaving the team this summer, as they find their places at Poole Town, after spending the last season on loan there. It will be hard to see some of these players leave the Cherries after they have spent so much time and energy making the team what it is today, but it has to be done. New blood will be coming into the team, with some green youngsters choosing the Cherries as a place to be proven either as good players or to flunk out, although we certainly have confidence in some of the new ones that are joining the team.

The ones that are staying
There are not that many people staying with the team. There is just the one that is important - the longtime Cherries goalie, Artur Boruc, will be staying with the team beyond his 40-year mark of age. Despite the older age, he is still in top shape and is bound to teach the young ones something about playing with the team, while also helping the new team come together around a central point. It is a good thing he is staying, even for a little bit, so long as the team can retain a little of the old to make the transition into the new a little easier.

AFCB have to unearth more favourites like Pugh

The final line under Marc Pugh's AFCB career has been drawn and it was great to see that we were given one last interview with Neil Perrett on AFCB TV this week. Pugh has been a lovable character at the club, and it does feel like we are losing a lot of the side that saw AFCB promoted to the Premier League now. But while Pugh finds a new club, AFCB have room for a replacement.

Marc Pugh has given years of fantastic service to AFCB on and off the pitch.afcb

Picking a left winger who can rival the likes of Ryan Fraser is going to be difficult. It's not that Pugh is not replaceable, but it takes a long time for a new player coming in to build a bond with the fans as strong as Marc Pugh now has. 

AFCB of course need to find a player that can compete in the Premier League. It is a level that Pugh stepped up to with little trouble and even though Ryan Fraser no doubt limited the number of games that Pugh has had in recent seasons, Pugh was ready to step in when needed and his endeavours were well rewarded with his FA Cup goal against Brighton last season, even if he couldn't quite turn the match around for AFCB.

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We can be certain that AFCB are going to have to pay a lot more than they did for Marc Pugh when he came to the club, and it is a mark of how far the club has come. While the memories of the Cruyff turns, the  hat-trick in the 0-8 demolition of Birmingham, and the stunning goals like the one against Bolton to send AFCB on their way to win promotion to the Premier will never be allowed to fade, I can't help feel that a bit of the things that made me so happy to come to Dean Court every week is slipping away. 

I am sure I am not alone in missing the struggle of the lower leagues and the players that gave everything to keep AFCB in the football league, but times move on. All we can hope is that Marc Pugh gets to give some more fans some great memories before he decides to close his football career.

Ibe gets Bournemouth's 200th Premier League goal

It's hard to know what Jordan Ibe is capable of. He may not have a troop of supporters singing his name as much as some of the other players for AFCB, but he has a talent and Eddie Howe believes he can succeed at the top level.

Jordan Ibe needs to get closer to the goal tallies of King and Wilson.

It hasn't been a landmark season for Ibe. He scored a couple of goals in the Carabao Cup and just couldn't compete as highly as David Brooks for the right wing role, although Junior Stanislas also found the young Welsh winger ahead of him. The first Premier League goal did come for Ibe against Crystal Palace in the last match, and it was Bournemouth's special 200th goal in the top league. In that way Ibe has been a part of AFCB's history and who knows what lies ahead for him?

There has been a link made with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City. After all, Rodgers did sign the winger for Liverpool. Would Jordan see Leicester as a good move for him? I can't see Liverpool asking to see if they can take him back and the option of Leicester could entice Ibe, who has yet to make a starting spot his own at AFCB. Bournemouth may well want to let some players go this summer as well, and it is possible the club may need funds for a new left winger, with Pugh already leaving and doubts over Frasers future.

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Ibe may not score that many goals, but he has only made 19 appearances in the Premier League and the majority have been as a sub. At 23, Ibe is still a young player and Eddie Howe wants to have a young squad so Ibe is probably a player that Howe would be reluctant to let go even for a good price. But what I think Ibe has to do is play in more positions and become adept at becoming a more powerful player. If he can further develop his game at AFCB under Eddie Howe, he still has time to make a bigger name for himself on the south coast.

A tear in the eye for Marc Pugh

It was a great day for Bournemouth fans to say goodbye to Marc Pugh. The tricky winger has been a superb servant for Bournemouth and his effort and skill to become a Premier League player will be an inspiration for future generations. We'll miss seeing him play and singing Pugh!

Pugh is on his way, but he remains in our hearts.

Marc clearly felt very emotional as he thanked everyone for his years at Bournemouth. It was his best job he has ever had he pointed out and at the end of the game with the walk around he was being hugged by Big 'Un who obviously felt the affection with the home supporters that Pugh was receiving, and could relate to it with his own last game. At some point players have to say goodbye and we were lucky that Pugh could do that in front of his fans at Dean Court. So often players disappear without the chance to say goodbye, but Pugh deserved that special moment for all his service.

There is no clear picture of where Pugh will be playing next season, but he still has much to offer and will surely be snapped up quickly. It was strange enough seeing him play for Hull City, but even there he excelled as he is the true professional. The main thing for Pugh now is to get in as many games as he can, and I can understand why he feels the need to leave Bournemouth to do that.

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Pugh's goals were always special and they helped carry Bournemouth to the Premier League. We'll no forget his Cruyff turn and the Marc Pugh Chop. They are now inscribed in AFCB folklore and so will the cry of Pugh from the terraces. Some part of the lower divisions kind of feels like it is draining away from the club when these things happen, but it is progress and time doesn't slow down even for our legends. Pugh has been a great flag bearer for the club and it's up to others now to build a reputation as good as this number seven, who we will all surely miss doing his tricks.

Travers puts on a wonder show of saves

Mark Travers said he wasn't nervous ahead of the game with Tottenham, but just looked forward to it. He certainly didn't have any nerves on the pitch when it came to having to make the saves and they just kept coming one after the other. The one I thought was the best was his save against Lucas Moura, with his legs after the ball had been chipped through to Moura. It wasn't as spectacular as some of the other saves, but I thought it was the moment when Tottenham were going to score.

Mark Travers can smile at his afternoon's work - faultless.

I wasn't counting on the skill of Travers to keep the shot out. He was brave and not unnerved as Moura zoomed in on goal. But what I also felt was that Travers made his high saves with one hand look so good, because he is more agile and quick of foot compared to Bournemouth's other keepers. He twisted and turned so quickly and just had the flexibility to make the saves look extremely easy when they were truly outstanding saves.

Dele Alli and Christian Ericksen both thought they would score eventually, but Travers was determined to keep a clean sheet and I don't believe that if Boruc or Begovic was between the sticks on Saturday that Bournemouth would have got something from the game. That is the impact that Travers has made and I have heard more than one person say that it's Ramsdale who is Bournemouth best keeper.

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But the opportunity came to Travers and he took it. He has to get the final match against Crystal Palace now and it shows that players can come though and challenge the established stars at AFCB. That is what the home supporters wanted to see on a day when we said goodbye to a Bournemouth legend in Marc Pugh. Travers is perhaps one of the next line of players that AFCB will be applauding for many years ahead. But Travers will do well to come close to the performance he had against Spurs this weekend, as it was as good as any Premier League keeper could do.

Slow change at Bournemouth

I was pondering one of the stats from the West Ham match that really underlined the fact that Bournemouth haven't found it easy to replace their starting 11 over the past four years, or perhaps haven't needed to. Six of the starting 11 against West Ham last weekend were among the starters to get Bournemouth's first Premier League win in 2015 at Upton Park.

Marc Pugh has been a fantastic professional for AFCB,
but now Bournemouth have to find more like him.

On a week when Marc Pugh has gone out on loan to Hull City, and talk of Harry Arter attracting interest from Watford and Aston Villa, you could be mistaken for believing that Bournemouth are as keen as any team to update their starting 11. The plan is to develop players as far as they can be taken at Bournemouth and that has led to long contracts being extended. Signing for Bournemouth tends to be a long-term decision for the club and whatever player is involved. It may just be one of the reasons why Bournemouth have managed to find their way to success in the Premier League.

But this January we have already seen three players come into the club and I'd say the pace of change for Bournemouth is staring to accelerate. We are seeing players who have been at the club for a while start to move on. Is this a good thing? When you see signings like Jefferson Lerma and David Brooks it is hard to see anything put positivity from the changes. But the club has been very good at releasing players who are reaching the end of their careers rather than being in their prime.

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Holding on to Bournemouth's star performers is something that Eddie Howe worries about every window. Yet, he has managed to keep many players loyal to Bournemouth and if he can continue to do that, Bournemouth will start to have a squad that can rival the very best in the Premier League.

Was Bournemouth's defence good or Hammer's attack toothless?

It is hard to get excited about defenders doing their job sometimes, while the goalscorers tend to get all the credit. Against West Ham Bournemouth did get a well-earned clean sheet and they reduced West ham to shooting from distance for most of the game, until Andy Carroll missed for one yard. So were West Ham's strikers just poor or did Bournemouth's defence play outstandingly well?

Nathan Aké with Nathaniel Clyne before the West Ham match.

I am more of a glass half full merchant, when it comes to Bournemouth's defence. I still believe the team is two or three defenders short of being a really polished unit, that could rank as well as some of the top 10 teams in the Premier League. Aké and Clyne have the quick decision-making and control to their games that will hopefully start to be picked up be one or two others. But Bournemouth play better in defence when they really come out with an attitude to not give the opposition a kick around their box.

It was interesting that Howe said that he asked his defenders to be more aggressive against West Ham. He perhaps felt that they had been too timid against Everton and then Brighton in the cup. That determination not to get pushed aside, I've always feel Bournemouth players have had as they have come up through the leagues. But the game is different in the Premier League, and it's quick thoughts, to get the right side of your man, and see where the danger is likely to be that makes a player stand out at this level.

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Personal battles have to be won and I did think Bournemouth did that against West Ham. Antonio and Anderson were kept in check, which was mainly down to Adam Smith and Nathaniel Clyne sticking to them like glue. It wasn't necessarily pretty at times but it did mean Boruc had little to do, but for a few punches in the second half late on. Had Arnautovic been available it may have been more of a test for Bournemouth's defenders. Carroll should have scored which tells me that Bournemouth still don't quite shot the door for 90 minutes and the defence is not yet bullet proof, so I'm keen to see if they can do it again against a Chelsea side that are themselves having problems in scoring.

Transfer news
Marc Pugh is expected to complete his loan transfer to Hull City today.
Brentford are said to have agreed a fee with AFCB for the signature of Chris Mepham.

Why are AFCB finding it hard to convert big moments in games?

The Cherries' FA Cup defeat could have been very different had the strikers taken their chances. The match needed AFCB to get a goal quickly after Brighton had struck, but the earlier opportunities didn't re-materialise at the end of the first half. Howe had to change something and the introduction of David Brooks certainly pepped up the attacking intent of AFCB.

Another year with no FA Cup run.

Sadly, David Brooks can't jump up with goals every game. Big moments don't always fall to the players that you really want them to come to either. No doubt Eddie Howe had felt that some of the big moments would fall to Ryan Fraser by playing him just behind Lys Mousset, but it didn't turnout that way.

The lack of accurate shooting is perhaps a measure of how reliant the team has become on Callum Wilson. Callum tends to be the striker who is capable of conjuring up something from nothing and you can't replicate that with every player. It was Marc Pugh that eventually got on the score sheet for Bournemouth against Brighton, and he has become a bit of an underused player, but Howe is trying to get others to step up and fill the boots of players like Pugh who can't go on forever.

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Mousset and Ibe need to take a look at what players like Pugh do to get themselves into good shooting positions and see how well Pugh takes his chances. Pugh is not afraid to miss and I think a few more of the players need to take that mentality into games, even when the team is not performing well. The only way to change you luck is by having a go.


Other news
Chelsea home match moved to Weds 30 Jan at 7.45pm

Pugh has still got that magic touch

You can never get enough of Marc Pugh. We haven't seen nearly enough of him this season and I am worried that he may well be playing his football elsewhere in the next few months, rather than at AFCB. But of all Bournemouth's players he deserves a fabulous send off when he does hang his boots up for the Cherries.

Marc Pugh is all AFCB.

I was pleased to see Marc get the minutes against Brighton in the FA Cup that he deserves. He has a very down to earth manner and understanding that while he is not playing often, he does at least have his health and is not injured like others around hm. Keeping his spirits high must be a challenge, but you could see how much it meant to him to score against Brighton with his clenched fist, and his little skip of joy when he found the back of the net.

Pugh is a great player and the kind of player that lives and breathes the club. He only wants the best for the team, and while that has meant him sitting out many games of late, he still gives 110 per cent when he does get a chance. There are others that are nowhere near as committed, and if we could bottle the Pugh spirit and endeavour we would have a template for an excellent Premier League player.

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I think it is hard for Pugh to come in and turn on the skill having missed so many games. But Pugh is a grafter and doesn't want to let himself or anyone down when he puts on a red and black shirt. His excitement is infectious, as it was when he first turned out for AFCB, and it is worth savouring every moment he is on the pitch these days, as he has been one of Eddie Howe's leading lights over the past decade.

Transfer News: Sam Surridge recalled after dramatic win in FA Cup over Fulham. It would not be a surprise to see a club come in for Surridge in this window after seeing his goals at Oldham.

Bournemouth rotate themselves out of FA Cup

Match Report

FA Cup Third Round

AFCB  1 v 3 Brighton

Attendance: 10,522

Another early exit from the FA Cup for the Cherries.

Bournemouth called the changes with nine new names on the team sheet and a wayward shooting display that left Brighton in prime position to dump the Cherries out of the FA Cup. Missed chances by Jordan Ibe and Lys Mousset proved very costly as Brighton eased themselves into a 0-2 lead on 34 minutes. Marc Pugh halved the deficit at the start of the second half, before Andone headed in from a corner to see Brighton through to the fourth round.

The changes for Bournemouth included a debut for loan signing Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, while Kyle Taylor was given a start. There was no appearance for new signing Dominic Solanke.

The first half hour was dominated by Bournemouth who created some excellent opportunities to take the lead. Jack Simpson came close with a header in the first 10 minutes and Steve Cook similarly went close from a corner in the first 15 minutes, but headed wide.

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Bournemouth's speed on the break with Ibe was causing problems, but they lacked calmness in front of goal and Ibe saw his run blocked when he had done so well to drive into the box. If he was misfiring though, Lys Mousset would have been more at home on a rugby pitch when he received the ball, off an Ibe blocked shot, right in front of the penalty spot that he shovelled his shot over the bar!

To make matters worse a Brighton beak saw Anthony Knoackert tuck in his shot from the right, through the legs of Steve Cook, and straight into the bottom corner. 

The goal knocked Bournemouth out of their stride and a run from Bissouma was not checked with the midfielder trying his luck from distance, and seeing Boruc slip and dive despairingly short of his shot that came off the post and nestled in the back of the net.

Locadia could have extended the lead, but headed wide from close range. Brighton would head into half-time with had a two goal lead.

AFCB were again playing catch up.

Second half

Bournemouth were determined to make a better show of it second half with Brooks coming on for Taylor and carrying the fight. Ibe had an early shot blocked for a corner. 

Ibe was again probing with a cross that Steele caught. Simpson was closing the back door with a great sliding tackle on Andone to win the ball. 

Meanwhile, Surman lost his bearings and sliced a ball horribly out of play on half way. Bournemouth were coming forward though and Ibe and Brooks were testing the Brighton defence, before Surman picked out Pugh. He cut in on his right foot and hit his shot right into the right corner of the goal from 18 yards.

A long ball almost caught Brighton out again when Ibe latched on to it, but had his shot blocked before Fraser drove a cross right across the box.

Brighton countered with Kayal driving a shot wide on 61 minutes. Ibe was seeing a lot of the ball, but his indecision was enabling Brighton to get in their blocks.

Brighton then won a header off of Simpson's headed clearance. The corner went to the back post and Duffy headed it back across the six yard box to Andone who headed in, with Boruc unable to keep the ball out with Steve Cook in close attendance.

Bournemouth were going out and the crowd were not impressed with Ibe seeing the ball go under his foot and out of play by the East stand. He was subbed moments later for Stanislas to come on after 70 minutes.

Lucadia had a blocked shot, before Bissouma shot well over. Lucadia was then subbed for Solly March on 73 minutes. 

Rico was finding it hard to get quick control of the ball and to make his crosses and when he did they were over hit. So Daniels replaced him on 79 minutes. Steve Cook played a good ball through to Mousset and forced a corner. Brooks then made a volley that Steele just managed to keep out before a defender cleared.

Pugh shot just over as Bournemouth searched for a goal. Surman was carded for a foul on Bissouma, but when Fraser was clipped by Bong and looked sure to get a shot off, the ball just ran out for a goal kick with no foul given.

Bruno was subbed for Montoya on 87 minutes. While Daniels won a late corner Steve Cook could only see his header saved by the keeper. Steve Cook picked up a yellow card after fouling Monoya and with the four minutes of added time Knockaert was subbed for Gyokeres.

Not a lot to cheer about at Dean Court.

Summary

It was not an ideal game for Nathaniel Clyne to make his debut. He was composed and showed some nice touches, but the forward players of Mousset and Ibe had little quality or confidence in front of goal. Brighton finished clinically where AFCB's players pondered and hesitated when near goal. Going a goal down and conceding another so soon after really hit Bournemouth hard and even a spirited short-lived comeback with a fine goal from Pugh left Bournemouth well short of what was needed to get something from the game. Howe will take criticism for the performance, but he was clearly restricted with his player choices when Josh King was unavailable and the bench was short of attacking players. Still, players like Jordan Ibe and Diego Rico have to start producing better performances than this if they are worth their place in this squad.

AFCB Subs: Travers, Mings, Daniels, Butcher, Dobre, Brooks, Stanislas

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 5, Clyne 6, S Cook 7, Simpson 5, Rico 4, Ibe 5, Taylor 5 (Brooks 8), Surman 5,
Pugh 7, Fraser 6, Mousset 5  

Cherry Chimes' MoM: David Brooks

Ref Watch Michael Oliver: 3/10 Didn't feel AFCB were given fouls when in and around the box.

Brighton
Steele, Bruno (Montoya 86), Balogun, Duffy, Bong, Kayal, Stephens, Bissouma,
Knockaert (Gyokeres 90+1), Andone, Locadia (March 73)

Brighton Subs
Button, March, Montoya, Burn, Pröpper, Gyokeres, Murray

Eddie and JT have done wonders six-years on from Tranmere Rovers

Last weekend Eddie Howe past the six-year mark from when he and JT returned to the club for their second spell in management. One look at the tables today and to see only five clubs above Bournemouth in the whole pyramid system is quite something, considering Eddie and JT returned to a club struggling near the foot of  League One in October 2012.

Eddie Howe passed a six-year anniversary back at AFCB last weekend.

Bournemouth won 3-1 against Tranmere Rovers on 20 October 2012 with goals from Harry Arter and Simon Francis, plus an own-goal for Tranmere, after a Marc Pugh free-kick sealing the win against a team that had been unbeaten and were top of the league. Upsetting the odds is something Eddie Howe has been doing ever since, but to be battling among the country's elite in the Premier League has given Bournemouth fans a real belief that they can stay in contention this season.

The games can't come fast enough at the moment. The international break might have interrupted the team's rhythm, but we know from the Burnley game that whenever their is a set back we tend to see a response in the next game. Southampton's point was unexpected and we could hear in the post-match interview of Steve Cook that it was a blow to the players that they hadn't taken all three points. In previous seasons AFCB would have been calling it progress to take a point off of the Saints. But such are the aspirations and targets that Eddie and JT set for the team that even 17 points from nine games can be considered very satisfactory, and yet might have done better! That is what I love about AFCB. They are always striving for more. Even when 0-4 up on Watford the players were trying to score more.

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While only Simon Francis took to the field on Saturday as a survivor of the team that beat Tranmere six years ago, Marc Pugh and Charlie Daniels are still very much apart of the first team. We can reflect on the progress the club has made. The players though must look to the future and what can still be achieved. Who knows where AFCB will be six years on from this point? Whatever the future is, no one can take away from what AFCB and Eddie and Jason have done in the past. But I'm excited about the future, too.

Wilson can have a big smile on his face again

The form of Callum Wilson is going to be key for Bournemouth this season. Callum only had some 20 minutes to make an impact against Blackburn Roversm but he came good with a special spell. While Eddie Howe will be disappointed that two goals were conceded again in the Carabao Cup, when Wilson is on form Bournemouth can get results.

Callum nets his third goal of the season.

Callum was unlucky when he hit the cross bar just before getting his late winner. It is rare for Callum to score headed goals, but he made his effort count just in time against Blackburn. Callum needed a goal and he will be pleased to have just made a contribution after some goalless games, even if his general play has been good.

What I do like about Callum is that he can have a quite game and still score a goal when he has not seen much of the ball. That's why it was a surprise to me against Burnley when he was substituted. He does seem to specialise in late goals and that's no bad thing.

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While Howe could have been beginning to think a change up top might be necessary, Callum is now much more likely to keep his starting place. The Blackburn game also saw a good appearance from Marc Pugh and sometimes I think being familiar with what Callum wants in terms of a delivery can help the team, so maybe Callum just needed someone like Pugh to help him get back on the scoring path.

Has Begovic grown an inch?

Asmir Begovic has not found it simple to keep clean sheets, but he is making difficult saves look more routine in a Bournemouth shirt. His double save against Jamie Vardy and James Maddison at the weekend was outstanding and his agility, if not his height, seems to have grown over the summer.

Begovic can stand tall after recent performances.

With the amount of saves Begovic is making though he should be walking around an inch or two taller. His catching has gone up a level or two as well, as he didn't look like dropping anything against Leicester and was most assured on crosses, which gives confidence to the team.

The back line needs that confidence in kicking as well and playing out from the back. This is probably the area of the game where Begovic, as well as many other keepers are finding that the game has moved on very quickly in recent years. Playing from the back is difficult when keepers don't think quickly and Begovic's throw outs are becoming really important for setting up play from Bournemouth's own half.

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The stats show that Begovic kicks more than we might expect with 43 goal kicks so far, just over eight per game. But the stats don't say how many of these are taken shot to his defenders on the edge of the box. His throw outs amount to 25, five per game. 

Having a good goal keeper is going to save teams at least 10 points in an average season. With Begovic conceding seven goals in five games, he is below the rate which saw Bournemouth let in 61 goals last season. If he can keep up his current level the Cherries will end up on 53 goals against, so he has had a good start to the season.

In other news, Stanislas and Pugh score in an 8-1 win in the Hampshire Senior Cup playing for the U21 against Eastleigh. Best wishes to former Cherry Eunan O'Kane who has suffered a double leg break playing on loan for Luton.

A chance for Pugh to play?

AFC Bournemouth have suddenly started to pick up a few injuries ahead of today's match with Leicester City. The international break is not so much of a break for the club or players now, and Ryan Fraser is expected to be absent having had a hamstring strain, along with Jermain Defoe, and Charlie Daniels has a knee problem we could see come changes. With  Junior Stanislas ruled out as well, only just starting training, it is perhaps time that Eddie Howe turned to Marc Pugh.

Marc Pugh could start his first Premier League game of the season.

It would be a good time to bring Pugh into the starting line up. He knows Leicester City inside out and a home game will give him plenty of backing. Every player has to be patient for their chance, but Pugh has seen Fraser have a lightening start to the season. Yet, Pugh's crossing abilities is something that can also provide goals for the likes of King and Wilson.

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I think Howe has more of a selection issue over whether to pick David Brooks, Adam Smith or Jordan Ibe to start on the right wing. The confidence of youth might have been tested with Brooks missing out against Chelsea, but he did then go and play 90 minutes for Wales, against Republic of Ireland and 30 minutes against Denmark. Adam Smith and Ibe could be the fresher for this match. So far Adam Smith has been the player that Howe has been hesitant to drop, and I believe he will get Howe's vote to start.

Diego Rico is expected to be given another outing at left back with Daniels being injured, and so he will have been working with Pugh this week I would have thought to get an understanding on the left side. With Lerma playing through the middle and starting to build a partnership with Dan Gosling, Bournemouth just need King and Wilson to start putting away the chances created. Enjoy the game - UTCIAD!

Possible AFCB line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Mings, Surman, L Cook, Brooks, Ibe, Mousset.

AFCB Home Form
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Leicester City Away Form
LW

Leicester's press conference for the Bournemouth match

AFCBTV match preview

Wee-man is going to have a big AFCB season

Ryan Fraser was rightly the talk of the town on Saturday night after he had scored the opening goal of Bournemouth's 20018-19 season. The wee-man had said in pre-season that he wanted to make more of an impact on the score sheet this season. He has started as well as he could have hoped with an excellently timed run to finish off a team goal that he started himself.

Ryan is looking to take his chances.

The first half of the game against Cardiff City went pretty well as could be hoped for. While it took until 23 minutes to get that first goal, the home crowd had remained patient and were giving the team great support. Ryan Fraser and David Brooks, watched by Ryan Giggs,  were catching the eye with their quick movement and while Bournemouth didn't create lots of chances that Neil Etheridge had to save, it will have been pleasing to Eddie Howe that the chance to score fell to Fraser and he made no mistake.

It was an eventful day for Fraser who attracted a scene that we don't want to see from the Cardiff fans of coin throwing. The Welsh club will surely be in trouble for that and it was brave the way that Fraser just carried on and carefully picked up the objects that had been thrown at them to hand them to the officials.

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It's the football though that we want to remember. Fraser could well have his biggest ever season for the Cherries which is not such great news for Marc Pugh who didn't manage to make it on to the bench for this opening game. But Pugh will be delighted that his team-mate has started well. To keep Marc Pugh out of the side has taken Fraser a while to do but he has come of age and is beginning to see himself as one of the players that can really make a difference for this Bournemouth side.


Daily Mail season predictions - AFCB