Showing posts with label Nottingham Forest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nottingham Forest. Show all posts

Friday, 12 February 2021

Forest will be the hardest game Woodgate has had as AFCB manager

Bournemouth will have to look out for one or more former players trying to stop Jonathan Woodgate record his third win in a row when Nottingham Forest host the Cherries, just after mid-day on Saturday. Also equipped with a fairly new manager, in Chris Houghton, Nottingham Forest have been climbing the table with only one home defeat in their last five home games.

AFCB's players have to keep the pressure up on those above them in the table.

The Cherries' main problem could well be coming from Glenn Murray. He scored in Forest's last win against Wycombe Wanderers, while Lewis Grabban scored in their previous win against Coventry City. But if that wasn't enough former Cherries for you, then Forest's top goalscorer is Lye Taylor on five goals. Anthony Knockaert is also going to be a goal threat on the wing if he is fit and Sammy Ameobi is another string attacking player that could be used. Harry Arter has been out with a calf injury and there was strong interest for him from Bristol City during the transfer window, but he is still at Forest.

The consistency with which Woodgate has seen Bournemouth play should make this a good battle. We have seen the Cherries grow more of a spine in recent games and they'll need to be up for it to get anything out of this game. Forest are 13 points behind Bournemouth and they are down in 18th place, but a win could take them up to 15th.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
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I expect Wilshere to be selected in the starting line-up for this game as Bournemouth need to be at their creative best. Solanke could get the jump on the other strikers if he is fit, and Stanislas will surely be one of the first names on the team sheet. My only worry at the back of late has been Asmir Begovic. He has been in great form in the first half of the season, but has looked a bit fragile of late with only Will Dennis pushing for his place. Now we see that Mark Travers has been recalled from Swindon and I think it is a good move, with a bit of pressure now applied to Begovic to perform well.

Bournemouth's players also have to step up their game because they have a massive quarter-final game in the FA Cup at home to Southampton. The players will want to be in that game and it should push them on to be at their best if they want to be starting that game.

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AFCB Away Form
DLWLL

Nottingham Forest Home Form
WDWLD

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Momentum is more important than records for AFCB

In other news, it will be the last post on Chery Chimes tomorrow.


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Thursday, 11 February 2021

Momentum is more important than records for AFCB

Jonathan Woodgate is right in saying that Bournemouth needed the win against Burnley for momentum. It is great that history has been made, and the team has made it through to the sixth round of the FA Cup, but it is the win that really mattered.

AFCB have to attack the league now.

Bournemouth have to go on a winning run in the league if they are to make up ground. They have to get used again to winning and the clean sheet against Burnley was well earned. Bournemouth were lucky at times with Begovic having to make some saves and Rodriguez really should have scored in the second half. I think Bournemouth had a bit of luck which Woodgate said they would need.

The positives include Ben Pearson, who looks like a fierce tackling machine, and he is a player that plays the simple ball rather than over-complicating things, which should help Bournemouth retain possession better in the middle of the park. When Lewis Cook came on, he stopped some of Burnley's forward runs and Billing had probably one of the best games he has had in a Bournemouth shirt against Burnley.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

It will be interesting to see if Surridge is given more time under Woodgate than he got under Tindall. Shane Long is available for the match against Nottingham Forest and Woodgate could play two up front, but the team has played one striker with two wide men for quite some time now. Surridge did so well against Burnley that it would be a bit harsh to drop him, while Long has more experience, so it will be a tough call for Woodgate. 

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At the end of the day, to progress in the cup is a great bonus but it's the league games that Bournemouth have to really concentrate on and Woodgate seems fully aware of that. if Bournemouth lose to Forest then a lot of the good work that has been done since Tindall left the club will be peeled back, which would be a shame. So, let's hope the focus that Woodgate has rubs off on the players which I think it will.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth reach sixth round of FA Cup beating Burnley 0-2

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Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Bournemouth look supreme in 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest

Match Report
AFCB 2 v 0 Nottingham Forest
24 November 2020

Bournemouth played the kind of football we dream of seeing them play in the first half. They took just three minutes to take the lead, when David Brooks picked out Junior Stanislas' run right down the middle and the former Burnley man made no mistake, putting Bournemouth 1-0. Nottingham Foret had to work incredibly hard to keep the score at 1-0 especially at the end of the first 45 minutes, when Brooks weaved in behind and pulled the ball back for Stanislas, who saw his shot cleared off the line. The game looked secure when Solanke went down from a challenge from Jack Colback and Stanislas grabbed his and Bournemouth's second from the penalty spot. Forest tried everything to get a goal, but the closest they came was a header from Yates that went over. Solanke might have been tripped for a second penalty right at the end, but it didn't matter that it wasn't given. This was just the 90-minute performance that Jason Tindall had been demanding.

Junior Stanislas scores his first goals of 2020-21 and helps Bournemouth to a 2-0 win.

Bournemouth made two changes with Adam Smith and Chris Mepham starting the game, while Diego Rico moved to the bench and Jack Stacey dropped out of the squad. Philip Billing also returned to the subs bench. It was also Steve Cook's 350th appearance for AFCB. Bournemouth also welcomed back Harry Arter and Lyle Taylor to Dean Court.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

Match description
Forest start well and attack, Arter shoots over. Bournemouth have hit back straight away with Brooks finding Stanislas and he scores in the corner on three minutes. Stanislas came from deep and ran right between the two centre-halves and put the ball past Samba, very cooly. Bournemouth go 1-0 up. It looked like one of the centre-backs slipped, but Stanislas took full advantage, latching on to Brooks pass and scoring his first goal of the season.

Yates goes right through Lewis Cook. Cook is taking a long breather. Lyle Taylor has forced a corner for Forest on 11 minutes. Lerma on the break and Brooks is up with him. Forest have it back.

Kelly loses the ball to Ameobi and Arter has a shot blocked. Christie puts a great cross in and Taylor gets ahead of Mepham but heads over. 

Danjuma turns well away from Christie, and has his shot blocked by Samba at the near post. So close to 2-0. The short corner doesn't come off and Lewis Cook fires wide from distance.

Bournemouth have so much time on the ball. Christie puts a cross in but Steve Cook clears. Ameobi has a shot right at Begovic. Stanislas is working well across the midfield, getting Danjuma and Brooks involved. 

Bournemouth are buzzing around the Forest box, like busy honey bees. Ameobi has a shot blocked by Steve Cook. Lewis Cooks plays it forward to Brooks and Brooks turns and fires wide.

Ribeiro fouls Brooks. Stanislas robs the ball well for Bournemouth. Ameobi gets a good ball in but Arter heads wide. 

Lewis Cook is being given far too much space in the middle. Solanke goes for a long shot but gets no power in it.

Bournemouth are caressing the ball beautifully around the pitch. Forest are standing off too far and are not really pressing Bournemouth.

Forest get some good possession but Christie's drilled cross is stepped over and finds its way safely to Begovic. 

Solanke wins a corner. Yates is fouled by Lerma. Two added minutes. Brooks along the byline and Stanislas has a shot cleared off the line, the follow up is also cleared. Scott McKenna beat Solanke to the ball on the line.

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Second half
Ameobi has fouled Lerma. Solanke keeps the ball well under pressure. Brooks, in the box, pulls it back for Stanislas but the shot goes wide. 

Adam Smith concedes a corner. Solanke goes over in the box and Jack Colback brought him down. It's a penalty. It was a tangle of legs. Bournemouth's first penalty in the Championship this season. Stanislas puts the penalty kick away 2-0 on 51 minutes. Stanislas sent the keeper the wrong way.

Danjuma wins a corner. Stanislas pulls a shot well over the bar. Danjuma then hits a shot over from distance.

Lolley passes across to Yates who soots well but Begovic makes the save, getting everything behind the ball.

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Forest have a corner taken by Arter but Brooks has it. The pass to Stanislas is overhit. Bournemouth clear another Forest corner. Lolley is subbed by Anthony Knockaert on 61 minutes.

Arter has won a corner. Great header out by Solanke. Ameobi gets a deflected shot away, corner. Ameobi goes for a shot from teh corner of the box but it's a good height for Begovic who saves and concedes the corner. Knockaert hits a ball to teh far post and Yates head over in the six-yard box. 

David Brooks comes off and Gosling is on after 71 minutes. Danjuma picks up a corner.  Arter is replaced by Guerrero on 76 minutes. 

Rico is on for Lerma on 79 minutes. Gosling is carded for a foul Knockaert.

Bournemouth have a free kick in Brighton's half. Stanislas is taking it and hits the wall. Lewis Cook picks up a yellow card.

Riquelme replaces Danjuma on 90 minutes. Three additional minutes. Solanke goes down but there's no penalty. Colback clipped Solanke's heels.

Summary
Bournemouth are really slipping into their top gear now. As an attacking force, they look so confident that they are lining up to score goals. The movement and creativity is clear to see and with a clean sheet as well in this game, things are going well for the Cherries. At home, the Cherries remain unbeaten. What I liked most though about this performance is the way Bournemouth attacked on both flanks and looked equally dangerous on each side coming forward. Solanke is getting even better at holding up the ball and players are finding forward runs that are difficult to track for the opposition. Finally, it was great to see Junior Stanislas get off the mark with two goals and he is working well with Danjuma.

AFCB line-up
AFCB Subs: Travers, Rico, Simpson, Ofoborh, Gosling, Billing, Riquelme, Anthony, Surridge

AFCB player ratings: Begovic 6, A Smith 6,  S Cook 7, Mepham 6, Kelly 6, Brooks 7, Lerma 6,
L Cook 6, Stanislas 8, Danjuma 7, Solanke 7

Nottingham Forest
30 Samba, 2 Christie, 5 Ribeiro, 6 McKenna, 22 Yates, 8 Colback, 31 Arter (Guerrero 76), 11 Ameobi, 23 Lolley (Knockaert 61), 33 Taylor

Forest Subs: 12 Smith, 6 Mbe Soh, 16 Jenkinson, Cafu, 19 Guerrero, 28 Knockaert, 44 Ionnou, 48 Swan 

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Forest's former Cherries must be sent packing

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Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Forest's former Cherries must be sent packing

Bournemouth seem to be on the right track after beating Reading, but now is when they need to make sure they are not complacent as they take on Nottingham Forest. The visit o Forest to Bournemouth will potentially see the return of a few former Cherries in Harry Arter, Lyle Taylor and Lewis Grabban. Managed by Chris Hughton, the former Brighton manager might have fewer fond memories of visiting Dean Court.

Harry Arter - one of the old boys who could be lining up against AFCB tonight.

Nottingham Forest have only won three games this season and while they have won two of their last three games those wins were at home. But it's just one point from their last three away games. Lyle Taylor is top scorer on four goals and he is now a well-travelled striker having played in Scotland for Falkirk and Partick Thistle, as well as having spells at Sheffield Utd, Scunthorpe, AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic since his time at Bournemouth. He has also played 11 of Forest's 12 games and will be the main threat for Forest against Bournemouth.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

We have also seen Harry Arter move to Forest last summer. While he has only played six times for Forest, he will be pleased just to be in the squad if he can get back to see his mates at Dean Court. He was a sub in the last game against Barnsley, so could play a part in the game. 

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Forest also have former Brighton player Anthony Knockaert, who has had good Premier League experience at Brighton and Cyrus Christie who was in the Premier League with Fulham. Sammy Ameobi has been a sub of late, but he has also had top-level experience of the Premier League at Newcastle and is a nifty winger. Joe Lolley was also part of Huddersfield's team and will know Philip Billing well. Jack Colback played for Sunderland and Newcastle in the past, while defender Michael Dawson, was a regular in both Spurs' and Hull's teams a couple of years ago.

Lewis Grabban has been injured, and the Forest website says he could be back to training next week - so this game comes too early for him. I think we are lucky that Grabban is not expected to play, as he would be hyped to play well against the Cherries.

Hughton is not disappointed with the amount of chances that the team is creating, but they aren't taking their chances. Take Lyle Taylor's goals out of the team and they are really struggling. We know that Hughton's teams play good possession football and they will know everything about Bournemouth's game. The first goal as ever will be important and we need to see Bournemouth make a better start than they did in their last game.

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We could see Chris Mepham and Adam Smith come back into the starting line-up and the players to be rested could be Diego Rico and Junior Stanislas. Josh King is still sidelined having tested positive for COVID-19 after the international break, but Philip Billing is back in contention for this game.

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Bournemouth haven't had a good record against teams in the lower half with a draw against Derby and QPR and a defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. Coventry City was a good result, but Bournemouth have to keep their standards high against Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest Away Form
LWDLL

AFCB Home Form
WDWDW

Possible AFCB line-up
AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Rico, Stanislas, Billing, Ofoborh, Riquelme, Gosling, Surrridge

In other news, football fans in Tier 1 and 2 will be able to go back to see football games after 2 December. Up to 4000 fans at games in Tier 1 regions and 2000 fans in Tier 2 regions.

I spoke to @MrDore_ On Tour about the AFCB v Nottingham Forest game. You can watch the match preview here.
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Tuesday, 22 September 2020

If only it was easy to keep finding lots of hidden Harry Arters

The departure of Harry Arter was not unexpected. While it seemed unlikely that he would play many more games for AFCB, he did play against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and it is a shame that performance wasn't in front of a home crowd. Now Harry goes to Nottingham Forest, and it is like he has said a passing goodbye having only been back this summer from his loan spell at Fulham.

Harry Arter departs for Nottingham Forest

I always felt that Harry Arter was one of the rocks around Eddie howe built this Bournemouth side. He was the grafter, the player that would run through walls for his manager and he never shirked a tackle. While he was disliked by opposition teams, any team would be delighted to have him in their team. He cared about doing well and his family tragedy only made him adored even more by Bournemouth fans, as he put the club first at times when he didn't have to.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

We will of course see other players at AFCB while Harry plays out his remaining years at Nottingham Forest and perhaps other clubs. But he will live long in our memories as a player that drove the club to the Premier League. For a player that cost £4,000 from non-league Woking, it was quite a dramatic rise to the Premier League. 

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While he enjoyed a big season with Fulham last season, it did seem like he had already left AFCB when he had been on loan at Cardiff City before that. For him to come back this summer was an unexpected pleasure for many of the Bournemouth players who were at the club when Harry was at his peak. But times move on and Harry has now departed for good, but I'll always see him in my mind as AFCB's number eight charging into tackles and urging his team-mates to do more. Best of luck Harry!

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Will AFCB transfer pair be picked for Carabao Cup?

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Saturday, 22 August 2020

Fixture excitement at the challenge ahead for AFCB

I was waiting with anticipation, not about the fixture release, when it came through, but for the reaction form Bournemouth fans. The mood was quite chirpy as for many they could see Bournemouth striding through some of the games, and for once we might even see some clean sheets. But the Championship is a long race and the first three fixtures look pretty tough to me.

A full fixture list ahead with or without supporters.
Playing Blackburn Rovers at home for the first game is a good way to judge what shape Bournemouth are in, with Blackburn Rovers finishing in a mid-way 11th position last season. A home game always gives your club a chance to make a good start and, with Middlesbrough away and Norwich City at home to follow, Bournemouth would put themselves in a very strong position, if they can beat that kind of quality in their first three games.

Easier said than done though. Watford and Derby will be big matches in October and November looks a particularly good month with some grudge matches against Reading and Nottingham Forest and a tough visit to Sheffield Wednesday. Whether fans are getting to games by this point we just don't know, but the December games are certainly ones that fans will want to enjoy with so many games. I am expecting Swansea away to be a hard match along with Preston at home, as both sides did well last season. Boxing Day should be fun with Millwall in attendance and Brentford, just before New Year, will be a great time to see their new stadium.

I am not sure how many will want to brave Stoke in January, but the crazy ones will take on the weather and I think January could be a crunch month with the quality of fixtures. Watford and Cardiff will be big matches to try and win at home in February and there are long journey's up north to Preston and Huddersfield in March. April looks like it could be a strong month for the Cherries as a the run-in goes and a finish at home to Stoke City could be a great way to go up. Let's think positively.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Are too many changes dangerous for AFCB?
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Sunday, 29 July 2018

AFCB lose their unbeaten pre-season record at Forest 2-0

Match Report
Nottingham Forest 2 v 0 AFCB
28 July 2018
Attendance: 14,401
The Cherries find it tough going at Nottingham Forest.
The Cherries unbeaten pre-season record soon came under threat when Forest went into the led after a tap in from Tendayi Darikwaon 35 minutes Bournemouth had been in charge up to that point with David Brooks the creator and Wilson going close to scoring. A bad start to the second half made it 2-0 to Forest with Gil Dias' left-footed drive beating Boruc. Bournemouth's bright play came from David Brooks, but there is a lot to worry about in defence.

 Bournemouth lined up as expected with Hyndman and Mahoney on the subs bench along with a host of U21 players. Lewis Grabban was surprisingly left on the bench for Forest.
Nottingham Forest's ground.
Match commentary from AFCB
2: Mousset looks up for it! He evades a dreadful tackle out wide right, before beating another player with a strong run. He won a free-kick in a dangerous area, which came to nothing. Good powerful, trick play early on from our new number nine.

5 We've had more of the ball early doors, as we - in our trademark style - look to efficiently play out from the back.

8 Forest have a small passage of play, it's neat and tidy and we get back into our defensive shape. It's ended though, by a brilliant slide tackle from Arter - a proper slide tackle - one which he's known for with the fans.

10 A sweeping move sees Brooks have an effort well blocked in the box, before Mousset smashes one and it's brilliantly defended again!

15 Save! Wilson is fouled by the onrushing 'keeper out wide at an angle. The resulting free-kick from Fraser is parried away by Pantillimon! Fraser steps up and deceives everyone by whipping it towards the near post - it fooled the 'keeper who had to spill it... It was bobbling around the danger zone before being cleared.

20 That is a sublime touch by Brooks!
He picks up a loose ball and glides past the defender with ease. He has Wilson running beyond him and threads a brilliant ball in behind for the striker. He tries to round Pantillimon and the 'keeper does well to show him wide... Wilson gets a touch and then shoots but Pantillimon does well to get the block!

 21Another save!
It's Wilson and Brooks combining again... The midfielder finds Wilson in the area and he whips a shot with the inside of his foot that forces the huge 'keeper into a diving parry!
We do look threatening going forward!

 35 GOAL for Forest. Tendayi Darikwa gets free to tap in at the back post. 

41 Since the goal they've had a good spell. We're looking to stay in our shape as they have more of the ball. Darikwa, the goalscorer, had a half decent chance as a blocked shot came to him 20-yards out - he powerfully headed it but it went harmlessly over.

 44 Save! Probably a comfortable one, but it was a good strike from Adlene Guedioura. He hit a firm low effort from 25-yards, which whizzed along the surface but Boruc was able to get down low himself and smother the ball.

 45 After forcing Pantillimon into a number of saves, we find ourselves a goal down at the break.
We started well but Forest ended the half well and got the goal through full-back Tendayi Darikwa.

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Second half
48 Goal to Forest. Not good. Gil Dias brought the ball down on the right-hand side before driving into the area. It looked like he was going to square it but instead opted to go for goal, wrapping - in all fairness - a magnificent effort into the corner. 2-0 down.

 51 We work the ball really well up to the edge of the box where Brooks is waiting. He takes a brilliant touch and finds a pass that was extremely difficult, with the outside of his boot to get Wilson in behind. A great pass, but Danny Fox was there with a solid tackle to thwart the front man.

 58 Brooks lively again. He's just made beating a player look easy, he glided along the turf and skinned the full-back, before cutting into the area onto his favoured left-foot. He strokes one which curls narrowly wide. Decent effort.

 63 Boruc Save. We defend a corner really well, before the second phase of pay finds Ben Osborn in the area and hits an effort which Boruc is able to get down to cling on to. We're looking to break on Forest as we tick past the hour mark. There is a goal in this game for us, Brooks is getting plenty of the ball and is looking likely to make something happen.

 68 They're bringing on four players, including Lewis Grabban who left us in the summer. For us, Emerson Hyndman is coming on, Wilson is making way. That means that it's Mousset up top as a nine, with Brooks in behind and Hyndman wide left as it stands.

 76 Connor Mahoney comes on for us. He'll replace Brooks, who has had a decent game. Now it looks like Mahoney will play wide, with Hyndman in the 10 role behind Mousset.

 78 Fraser gets down the right flank and puts in an inviting cross for Mahoney. He's got room at the back post but his touch just lets him down as he steams into the penalty area. He cant force a shot on goal in a good area, but positive!

 Summary
Eddie will have a good idea of where his squad is now and it's a long way from winning games consistently. While the squad has been rotated neither this game nor the match against Bristol City will have fans feeling great about the preparation for a new season. The pus points have been that the team have scored a few goals in some games and David Brooks looks a great find. Bournemouth need to start stopping the goals going in and the side needs a bit more bite to it - perhaps there will be fresh moves to sign Jefferson Lerma in the coming days.

 AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Aké, Simpson, Daniels, Brooks (Mahoney76 ), Arter, Gosling, Fraser, Mousset, Wilson (Hyndman 68)

 AFCB Subs
42 Travers, 26 Hobson, 14 Worthington, 33 Ofoborh, 22 Hyndman, 23 Mahoney, 54 Dobre, 31 Surridge

 Nottingham Forest
Pantilliomon, Darikwa, Osborn, Fox, Dawson, Colback, Dias, Guediora, Murphy, Carvalho, Gonclaves

 Forest Subs
Smith, Figueiredo, Worrall, Robinson, Yates, Watson, Bridcutt, Lam, Lolley, Soudani, Grabban, Cash, Brereton
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Saturday, 28 July 2018

Forest will hope ex-AFCB forward can surprise the Cherries

Lewis Grabban could make an early reconnection with AFCB when Bournemouth take on Forest at the City Ground today. While Bournemouth fans have not seen much of Grabban in recent years he will have very strong connections still with Eddie Howe and the players and staff and will be looking to find a goal scoring touch for the clash.
Lewis Grabban is likely to line up against his old team-mates.
Grabban has already been in fine form scoring for Nottingham Forest in a 2-2 draw with Oldham in pre-season, as Football League World reports. With a transfer reported to be around £6m Lewis Grabban, 30, has arrived at Forest with a lot of pressure on him to get Forest the goals that are needed to get them into the promotion picture.

 Forest have also scouted abroad to bring in Portuguese U21 playmaker João Carvalho who joined from Benfica. Another foreign name is Hillal Soudani who is an Algerian international striker who signed in June from Dinamo Zargreb.

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Pre-season has gone well for Aitor Karanka with a 5-0 thrashing of Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar, before going out to Marbella to play top Spanish sides Real Betis which was a 1-0 defeat followed by a 3-0 win over Malaga.

 Bournemouth will be seen as a big match for Forest's warm up and Eddie Howe is likely to play a strong team as the Cherries preparations for next season start to heat up. The performance against Bristol City was not that inspiring so he'll be wanting to see a lot more enthusiasm for a win in this game from his players.

 Likely AFCB team.
Boruc, Francis, Simpson, Aké, Daniels, Brooks, Arter, Gosling, Fraser, Mousset, Wilson

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Wednesday, 4 July 2018

Is Grabban the perfect striker to have in the Championship?

Both Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are said to be keen on getting Lewis Grabban into their side for the start of the new season. Other Championship sides might also be looking on enviously about the striker by the Bournemouth Echo has said that Grabban's wage demands could cause a stumbling block for clubs like Leeds Utd.
Lewis Grabban - where will he end up?
What people can't argue with is Grabban's record at Championship level. While he was instrumental in helping get AFCB out of the Championship he was spectacular last season in scoring goals in a Sunderland team that was ultimately relegated without him and also scoring goals on Aston Villa's race to the play-offs.

Is there anything Grabban needs to prove at Championship level? No, he has done it all. Whether he plays in a good side or a struggling side he gets goals, it is just a shame that he hasn't been a player that has been able translate that to the Premier League with Norwich or Bournemouth. It is strange how the Grabban story has progressed through the years. Had he joined Brighton when Bournemouth were in the Championship he might have been a big player for them.
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He has done all he can to win back some of the reputation he had earlier in his career and I hope he gets a good move this summer. I would not be at all surprised if we are talking again, next May, about Lewis Grabban playing in a play-off match in the Championship or even being in a promotion winning side at that level. He is a prize asset for a Championship club but teams like Leeds United and Nottingham Forest also know he will cost top dollar. 

 Southgate's World Cup - Day 19 England win a penalty shoot out! 

 In other news, Stoke City have completed the signing of Adam Federici. TalkSport has also linked AFCB to defender Marvin Plattenhardt of Hertha Berlin.
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Tuesday, 12 June 2018

AFCB cool interest in Championship striker

SkySports are reporting that Bristol City striker Bobby Reid has been the subject of a £7m bid from WBA. Local paper Bristol Live has said the AFCB are still in the running but that the Cherries interest may have cooled.
Who will come to Dean Court this summer?
The Bristol striker appears to want to stay at Ashton Gate having done well their last season with 19 goals. Moving to WBA or AFCB would be a big move for the player. I only wonder would the Cherries be willing to out bid WBA and potentially others to secure the striker, when AFCB are yet to see if they themselves can move on players such as Lewis Grabban and Max Gradel? Bristol City are said to be holding out for £10m.

 The sale of Benik Afobe has created some space, but the Cherries are quite heavy in striker numbers currently and while only 45 goals were scored by AFCB last season most fans would point to the defence and lack of clean sheets as being the main area of focus for Eddie Howe to improve the team. Priorities may have a say here and if Reid is not thought to be one for the moment, but a good prospect in two years time then AFCB may well have taken a back seat on the Robins' front man.



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What we can say is that AFCB are actively trying to get signatures across the line, even if they have not yet made any bids for players. The Championship is where we can expect some signings to come from with Tom Pearce of Leeds Utd attracting attention in recent days, despite having signed a new contract at the Yorkshire club.

 Last summer AFCB brought in some big names and experience, but the rumours this summer are certainly circulating around non-Premier League players. Bobby Reid might be one that AFCB have decided is not ready yet and WBA may well have got in first now. 

 Meanwhile, Bournemouth have been said to have monitored Djurgarden defender Felix Beijmo on more than 10 occasions, but the 20-year-old is expected to sign for German side Werder Bremen this week, according to Expressen. 

In other news, AFCB have named Nottingham Forest as a pre-season away fixture on Saturday 28 July 2018 at 3pm.
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Wednesday, 16 May 2018

AFCB have to find a permanent home for striker

AFCB have seen Benik Afobe go out on loan and help Wolves progress to the Premier League, but the Bournemouth Echo understands that the midland's club have been given an ultimatum to make up their mind on the player before the end of May, if they want to buy him. There is no indication of what kind of fee AFCB would want. but the player has certainly indicated plenty of times that he wants to play his football at Molineux.
One striker up for sale.
AFCB of course would like to get Afobe off the wage bill as soon as possible so that they an reinvest the finds elsewhere, and while Wolves sold him for £10m to AFCB it is arguable that he hasn't added much value to that price-tag, even if he has played game sin the Premier League. While Afobe's wishes to stay at Wolves he could find the club are not willing to meet AFCB's valuation and I think that would leave Afobe in a difficult place.
Other Championship teams could well be interested if the price was right for them, but if Afobe wants to play in the Premier League he may find he does not get the option this summer to play there. He has kind of burnt his links with AFCB and I can't see him staying at the Cherries now, but AFCB may have to brig their valuation down by late July if he is still on their books.

 Afobe's been a disappointing buy from an AFCB point of view and while he has found some form in the Championship, he is not a player that teams in the Premier are likely to be fighting to get hold of. Eddie Howe has been very loyal to Afobe when the fans have probably wanted him to go sooner, but this summer Afobe is one of the payers AFCB do have to find a new permanent home for. Offers will be welcome for sure.
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