Cherries done with 'two sucker punches'

Eddie Howe was complimentary of his players even though they let slip a 1-0 lead at home against Nottingham Forest. While he would have been confident of success after the first half chances that his team created, the second period looked to be all set up for a Bournemouth home win when Callum Wilson put the Cherries up, but it was not to be.

It all looked good and ordered at the start.

Eddie said "We were dominant from start to finish. I thought we were very, very good. We should have been two or three up by half time, no doubt. We had great movement, some great interplay in and around the box. It was just the finishing touch that was missing.

"We got the goal and you thought that was that. Forest hadn't offered any attacking threat and then we got hit with two sucker punches."

That might be a bit unflattering to Forest who could have found themselves with a huge deficit before half time but they managed to keep Bournemouth's strikers out, and they were always in the game when AFCB could not get a two goal lead. I felt that Pearce changed things around well at half time and got his ball winners more involved in central midfield. But what troubled AFCB was firstly a set-piece and when the central defenders don't make contact with the ball the wing backs don't always seem to win the headers. Even though Assombalonga did not look that comfortable he managed to get enough on the ball to head it hard and down into the ground and whether Lee camp thought Eunan O'Kane would get a clearance in is hard to tell, but Camp was not able to get across in time. It looked a soft goal to me and one that could have been defended better.

The second goal was also one which Eddie Howe said cold have been prevented as it came from a cross that he had been explaining in training all week that the team must try and block. So while the Cherries are not going to stop every cross, it is that ball which goes over the central defenders and leaves a striker against a full back facing goal that is so dangerous. This time Adam Smith could not stop Matt Fryatt who had a pretty simple task to score if you watch the clip back.

The Cherries defence had been good in the first two matches but not without some moments when Huddersfield and Brentford could have scored. In those matches they got a way with a few things, but against Forest they only offered a couple of chances and Forest took them both. What made it annoying was that AFCB fans know that Forest are capable of that, but for most of the game the opposition did not look like they were going to get such a chance, let alone two great chances to score! In the end, you have to say things balance themselves up because AFCB really got out of jail against Brentford but got nothing for a great overall performance against Forest. It's a strange old game.

Forest inflict first defeat on Cherries (Gallery + Fan videos)

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 2 Nottingham Forest

19 August 2014

Attendance: 10,768

Karl Darlow kept AFCB at bay with some great saves.

Two second half goals from Britt Assombalonga and Matt Fryatt for Nottingham Forest sent them to the top of the table while the Cherries had to scratch their heads in wondering how they had lost this game. For 45 minutes AFCB bossed the match, in front of a packed Dean Court, and the only question was how had they not scored when the two teams went in at half time all square at nil-nil. Only a heroic display by on loan Newcastle Utd keeper Karl Darlow had the Cherries and Adam Smith in particular out, while Forest had simply been overwhelmed in the first half by Bournemouth's best 45 minutes of the season so far. But goals are what count and while the Cherries took the lead with a deserved goal on the balance of play after 57 minutes when Callum Wilson swept in from close range, Forest scored two goals in the space of five minutes to go top of the Championship.

Forest players get ready.

Final moments before kick off.

Match Day Gallery now has more photographs from the evening.

Eddie Howe made two changes to the starting line up as Simon Francis was said to have a thigh strain and Marc Pugh was moved to the bench. That meant in came Adam Smith for a rare home start and Junior Stanislas first home league start in a Cherries' shirt. Baily Cargill won a place on the bench, but did not manage to get on.

The first half was really a pleasure to watch for Bournemouth fans as they saw their side play some stunning football which had the Forest fans go quiet very quickly. The corner count got underway after just four minutes and they continued coming Bournemouth;s way. Cook went close early on with a header from one of the corners but it was Adam Smith who was the outstanding player of the first half, racing up the right wing causing Darlow to narrow the angle and save Smith's shot at his near post on 12 minutes. O'Kane followed up from the corner but side footed his shot straight at Darlow. A minute later Wilson had his shot blocked as Bournemouth started to turn up the pace.

After a Ritchie free kick that looked like it glanced off the post, Arter was next to see his shot saved. Most of Forest's play was being limited to Michail Antonio's short forays on the left wing, but he was constantly being out done by Smith and Ritchie. One of AFCB's best moves came after 21 minutes when Forest were cut open with a swift set of passes that put Ritchie through on goal but he hammered his shot against the tall figure of Darlow who was proving unbeatable. The home crowd was rocking by this point as it was a display so much improved from the last home performance against Brentford. 

Arter was again trying to get on the score sheet with an attempt that went well over after a knock down. Forest started to get more ball through Daniel Fox and Chris Cohen in midfield as they got more to grips with things and Chris Burke started to get more involved on Forest's right wing. Danny Fox picked up the first yellow after a foul on Ricthie when other tackles had perhaps been worse. Forest's best chance of the half fell to their new number 9, Britt Assombalonga after Antonio had sent a cross in from the left but he could only head over from near the penalty spot. As 40 minutes approached, Adam Smith again found himself through on goal and could not beat Darlow, and so it was 0-0 at half time.

Half time Chimes Fan Cam

Damian Garner is first up with his first half reaction.

Barry Smith adds some more comments on the Cherries first half performance.

The second half saw forest make two subs as off went Fox and Antonio who were replaced by Hunt and Osborn. Forest immediately seemed to have a better shape about them and for the first five minutes of this half had far more of the ball and pushed Bournemouth back. Callum Wilson was proving a handful and jack Hobbs had to marshal him away from goal with a strong challenge. For all AFCB's good play though they had not scored and Andy Reid was starting to have more influence on proceedings. Michael Mancienne was also having a good game for Forest at the back  But he could not do much about AFCB taking the lead on 57 minutes when Ritchie sent a ball into the box from the left and Wilson beat Mancienne to it, flicking it high into the air, before winning a header and seeing the ball come back to him after Kermorgant and Burke, I believe, had tried to reach the ball and he had a simple task of scoring with the keeper already on the deck.

It could have been 2-0 shortly after when Arter played a good ball through to Kermorgant but rather than shoot, the Frenchman decided to try and cross the ball to Wilson on the right hand side of the box but over hit the cross and the chance had gone. It was an important moment of the game as things changed very quickly not long after that. While jack Hunt received a yellow card and Cook went close again with a glancing header that he just did not get enough on from a corner, Forest won a free kick on the left  side with Ritchie give a yellow card. From Reid's free kick Assombalonga rose well at the far side of the goal and headed downwards into the goal, although from where we sat it had looked like O'Kane had got the final touch.

That was all Forest needed to have the belief to go on to win the game. Osborn and Hunt's fresh legs were really helping Forest's momentum and while we were contemplating who Eddie Howe should bring on a move down Bournemouth's left side saw a cross put in by Hunt and at the far post Fryatt easily out leaped Smith to head in and make it 1-2 to the visitors!

Seventy-two minutes had gone and there was still time for things to change, and Pugh and Fraser were soon ready to replace Ritchie and Stanislas. Chances still came the Cherries way with Yann Kermorgant sending Wilson almost grabbing an equaliser before Darlow claimed the ball near the goal line. Arter was then subbed as AFCB went three at the back and Rantie joined the attackers. Tokelo had a great run where he sped away from players and raced into a shooting position, but Darlow again kept the Cherries out. Cook also picked up a yellow card for a push on Assombalonga when he wanted to take a free kick quickly, but even as 90 minuted clicked over Forest were eating up time with their last sub as Reid seemed to find the trauma of running 20 yards more like a marathon with his 2 inch walking gate.

If any one was going to score in the last gasps of the game though it looked like Forest as Assombalonga raced through only to see his shot deflected and hit the side netting.Forest had done enough though by weathering the Cherries first half storm and putting away their two chances. It was a 1-2 home defeat.

Forest win out this time.

A hard fought game.

Summary
I think many AFCB supporters were left numb by the scoreline as the team had played so well and looked very comfortable for most of the match. However, two headers had sealed Forest's win and the power of the midlands side was what seemed to tell in the end. Perhaps AFCB's subs should have come on a bit earlier but the side had been on top for most of the match and if Kermorgant had decided to shoot instead of pass after the first goal things might have turned out differently. As it was Forest grew into the match and did not drop their heads when they went behind. It will be a big morale booster for them but AFCB have nothing to be overly disheartened about this performance. It is early days and they dominated Stuart Pearce's side for long periods, now they have to look to sharpen their goal scoring and keep working to get back to clean sheets.

Eddie gracious as ever.

Darlow heads off with team mates after Forest win.

AFCB
Camp, Smith, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, O'Kane, Arter (Rantie 80), Stanislas (Pugh 75), Ritchie (Fraser 75), Kermorgant, Wilson

AFCB Subs
Flahavan, Cargill, Gosling, Fraser, Pugh, Rantie, Harte

AFCB ratings
Camp 6, Smith 8, Elphick 8, Cook 7, Daniels 6, O'Kane 7, Arter 6, Stanislas 6, Ritchie 7, Kermorgant 7, Wilson 7.

Forest
Darlow, Lichaj, Fox (Hunt 45 ), Cohen, Hobbs, Mancienne, Burke, Reid (McLaughlin 90), Assombologa, Fryatt, Antonio (Osborn 45) 

Forest Subs
Harding, Weldwjik, Hunt, Osborn, McLaughlin, Paterson, de Vries

Ref watch: Kevin Friend 5/10

Cherries shadowed for second summer signing

The cat is out of the bag as AFCB are reported by Sky sports and other news sources to have made a bid for Coventry City's Callum Wilson that was rejected. Whether they move again with an improved offer or switch to another target, there is definitely a feeling that the transfer market is starting to hot up for the Championship clubs. We don't know how strong Bournemouth's bid was but a seven figure sum would be one of the largest bids that the seaside club has ever made. While the foreign signings of Tokelo Rantie and Mohamed Coulibaly may not have made as big an impact as Eddie Howe might have wanted last season, it looks like the club's next aim is to sign a young player who is familiar with the English leagues.

Callum Wilson is perhaps not the most experienced of strikers that Howe could have chosen to pursue, but if he can get a young striker he may be easier to teach new things to and will be less set in his ways. Still Eddie will also know that you can have difficult young players who believe they already have what it takes and don't listen to improve. With Nottingham Forest and Wolves also said to be after the striker though and Coventry reluctant to sell, Callum Wilson may be a target that is out of reach.

The aspect that I would like to know is how many potential targets could AFCB be after? If they switch to another option and get blown out again will it be a major set-back? Other teams will be watching AFCB and shadowing their moves. The market is not so big as some may like and competition for new stars is always a difficult game to win. Once bids are made that become public knowledge, the possibility of having a player pinched from under our noses raises its head. Nottingham Forest have been quick to pick up Matt Fryatt ex-Hull City without hardly a whisper, while Birmingham have needed to move quickly with so many loan players last season and Stephen Gleeson will be their third signing.

Eddie Howe has asked for patience though and season ticket holders yet to renew will be hoping that there is some good news coming before the end of the month. It's okay to move quickly but getting the right players is even more important. UTCIAD!

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Thursday 12th June, First game of the tournament.

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