Adam Smith made a welcome return against Cardiff

It was very pleasing to see Adam Smith line up against Cardiff City in the starting 11. He may feature against Valencia as well as I am hoping his coming off at half time against Cardiff was just a precaution. The evidence that AFCB are light at the back though in his position have clearly been shown over the summer.

Four at the back is usually the way Eddie sets up his teams and the wing backs are always important to the way the Cherries play. While we have seen Eunan O'Kane and Marc Pugh fill in at right back in some of the warm up games, if Adam Smith did again get hurt there is one man that Eddie will probably have to call on to play there. Yes, I would suggest that Simon Francis might well move back to his old position. It is clear from the team selections this summer that Franno is being primed to play as centre-back, but when needs must it is surely the safest option to see him playing a familiar role if it helps out the team. 

AFCB have started to really highly-prize the qualities of Adam Smith. 

We have not seen Baily Cargill play as he has also taken a knock and the options for centre-backs look limited with the departure of Tommy Ephick. Luckily Steve Cook is also back in the running for a start against Man Utd. Brad Smith also adds a new option if AFCB see another centre-back injured. Nathan Aké may have wanted to get some chance to play in midfield this season, but it appears that he will be needed more as centre-back cover and having seen how comfortable he looked against Reading at the back he will be pressing for a start there against Man Utd.

The importance of that first league game is huge. Yes, it's Man Utd but it is a home game and the team needs to feel confident that they can win any game at Dean Court. The problem is that whoever plays at right back is likely to be up against the talented Memphis Depay, who is going to give any right back lots of problems. AFCB really need someone with experience playing against Man Utd at right back, so Adam Smith's return is great timing. We await news on Harry Arter in the next couple of days after he had to come off in the Cardiff game.

The Cherry Chimes' Newsletter is out today.

Cherry Chimes' August 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: Should AFCB fans be confident of a higher finish?

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Will Man Utd struggle to pick themselves up?

I thought there were a lot of positives on how Man Utd played in mid-week against Wolfsberg, which on the face of it is not great news for the Cherries. The Red Devils certainly created chances and worked the keeper and the sideways passing that has been so heavily criticised of van Gaal's side gave way to positive forward passing and high pressing. The problem for them is they still did not win and the effort that Man Utd put into that game could be an important factor when they take on the Cherries in the late Saturday kick off.

Lee Tomlin and Marc Pugh were back in training this week
and could make the sub's bench for AFCB.

I'd have expected Schweinsteiger to be dropped for the AFCB game even if he had not received a three match ban as Man Utd need Michael Carrick to set the pace in midfield and he should be fresher than most having only playing just over 20 minutes in midweek. There was a strong performances from Martial up front, but the Cherries will also have to be on guard for Fellaini at set-pieces. Memphis Depay will give them some crosses and they had plenty of players in the box at Wolfsberg, but Mata looked the main man one minute and out of sorts the next. Chris Smalling also picked up and injury and de Gea kept Man Utd from conceding on several occasions so there are signs that this is not a Man Utd that are brimming with confidence.

The first goal is going to be everything on Saturday. The Cherries need to get at Man Utd early and put them under pressure. If Utd end up chasing the game their midweek exertions may well catch up with them. They have to make some changes to their team and will not particularly find it a thrill to come to such a small ground with the home fans in full voice. The noise at Stamford Bridge was amazing and that really needs to be replicated at home games.  

Eddie has to try and keep the momentum going now. If the team can beat Chelsea it can beat Man Utd. The players have to do the same positive things that they do away from home and stay compact when defending. I'd not expect any team changes on AFCB's side unless any injuries or colds have been picked up in midweek. I'd hope that Josh King is also keener than ever to get on the score sheet as an ex-Man Utd trainee and Matt Ritchie might also get the Man Utd scouts purring if he comes up with another blockbuster strike. David de Gea is a man that the Cherries will be aiming to keep very busy this Saturday.

Another win against a team as big as Man Utd would start to shake up the Premier League and that's what AFCB are here for. UTCIAD!