Bank on Lee Camp to keep 'em out

All pre-season AFCB have been struggling with keepers. There was usually one on the pitch - Benjamin Buchel - but there was never usually any back up. Then come the first game of the season the Cherries have three keepers limbering up and all is fine with the world. What's been going on?

"It was a race against time with Campy," said Jason Tindall. "But he's trained the last four days and has looked sharp, so luckily for the team he's available for selection and he plays today."

Lee Camp made a great start to his season at Huddersfield.

I don't feel that it was such a gamble to play Lee last weekend as he has such a lot of experience and a sensible head on his shoulders that would say if he was not 100 per cent. So when the first shot was fired in against him he would be more than ready. In the warm up at Huddersfield  I had a bit of a watch of Lee to see how he was doing and sure enough when I saw Neil Moss crack a shot past him into the top corner, Lee's reaction was all I needed to see to know he was going to be okay against Huddersfield. He turned sharply to see the ball he had left had nestled in the back of the net and being angry with himself for getting beat he raised his right foot and kicked the post in frustration. That's Lee - he's back I thought.

The one occasion when things did not look so good for him was when Oliver Norwood thumped a shot against Lee's cross bar but it stayed out and it is no less that Lee and the team deserved as they strangled the Terriers for most of the game. I also thought Lee made some good second half saved from headers and believe he will be looking to retain his number one shirt now for as many matches as he can now.

His exertions on Saturday earned him a rest on Tuesday night when Darryl Flahavan played his first game of the season. Benji Buchel can probably count himself a bit unlucky if that happens but going to places like Huddersfield and soaking up the atmosphere is not such a bad job and he will at some point have to star in a competitive first team AFCB game.

Expect AFCB to be sensible with Lallana windfall

It seems that Liverpool have been encouraged to go for the Lallana deal having had a difficult past week with the Suarez biting incident and are set to capture their second Southampton player this summer, clearing the way for a £6.25m pay out for the Cherries. While many devoted Dean Court  fans may see that money already headed for a large splash out for new additions to the Cherries squad I am more of a mind to expect that AFCB chairman Jeff Mostyn is likely to say thank you very much and bank most of what comes in with the Cherries overheads already at levels that would be hard to sustain but for the generosity of owner Maxim Demin. 

Yes, AFCB may well increase their offer for front man Callum Wilson of Coventry city and their bid may be accepted but look at the prudence of Eddie Howe's signings so far this summer - both free transfers. AFCB are not yet a club that can splash the cash at will and just because another club values a player higher than the Cherries are prepared to initially pay does not mean they will not look elsewhere if they think the price is too high. 

There is certainly a sudden movement in the market and it is being stimulated by the Liverpool's and Man Utd's who are spending and importantly spending on British players. That is not something that has been a trend for quite some time, but the value of academies is there for everyone to see. The clause in Lallana's Southampton contract for an AFCB payment is how clubs like ours can recoup funds and build, but it is not every day that such windfalls will offer themselves and the Cherries have to think carefully what to do with the money they receive down the line.

There are plans for a new permanent South End stand which could be built next summer and we already know that space at Dean Court is limited for much more future development. Living within your means is the slogan that few chairman fail to live by in the Championship but in Jeff Mostyn I believe we have a man who will, with other board members, do what is best for the club and its supporters. Let's see that the Lallana deal goes through  on Monday and then hear what Jeff has to say.

And just a last thought. What are Southampton going to do with all their new money will Ronald Koeman look to buy Dutch players or could he have his eye on some young Championship players, even AFCB ones? Just pulling your leg, Saint fans!


Kyle's World Watch previews Brazil v Chile and Uruguay v Colombia - see World cup Chimes. Catch all the best bets for the World cup at Free Bet Negotiator.

Well done to Mark-c on 265pts in our Chimes fans  Fantasy league and AdamJ on 207pts, myself (202) and AFCB_Tay (195) have some work to do!

Finally, All Departments has released a new podcast with Neil Moss - Number One. See the link on our site in the side panel or visit All Departments' website to listen.