Did Bournemouth play into Leicester's hands?

Bournemouth set out in the Leicester game to match the opposition in every area with strong challenges and trying to get on the attack. The first half was frustrating not because Bournemouth didn't go about the game well, they just failed to execute the moves that they were making apart form the penalty.

Bournemouth couldn't keep their foot down against Leicester after a strong start to the game.

The match was fast-paced and Bournemouth could not keep the pace going in the second half. They are more often a team that starts slow and finishes strong but this match was switched around no doubt because Bournemouth got the early goal. They didn't have to press high, they just needed to capitalise on Leicester's next mistake.  They probably had that with a foul on Charlie Daniels but Lee Probert chose not to give it - don't ask me why.

It meant Bournemouth started to defend deeper and deeper. The corner count went through the roof and the Cherries got into a mindset of kick it anywhere as long as it's not in our own net. The plan was good enough up to the seventh minute of four a supposed added minutes of time, but a one goal lead is never enough to be comfortable. Let's face it, you couldn't sit comfortably watching the last 10 minutes of the game as you expected the ball to go into Bournemouth's net every few seconds.

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By giving Leicester the ball back all the time though, it became one attack after another. Andrew Surman couldn't do anything to get on the ball and slow the game down. Bournemouth's passing game became fractured and fouling became the best form of defence for Gosling, Adam Smith and Steve Cook in particular. 

It only had to be a foul in range for Mahrez to fancy his chances and when it happened I expect all AFCB fans feared the worst. What was a great weekend became a slap in the face, but a few days later a point does at least seem some reward from a backs to the wall performance in the second half.

Why did Bournemouth get the last free kick so wrong?

Tiredness may have had a part in the equaliser from Leicester City. Bournemouth had been stretched for a log period of the game and when you are very near that final whistle you just want to hear it. It never comes though and there is still a job to do. Bournemouth just made a few too many mistakes in the final moments at the King Power stadium.

Asmir Begovic came within seconds o recording a clean sheet.

BBC Radio Solent kept shouting out that there were only three men in the wall. Were they the right three players? Was a fourth man required. Was Begovic at fault? Had Bournemouth had the moment again, I have no doubt the wall would not have had three men in it, but they didn't count on the technique and skill of Mahrez to bend the ball so precisely into the vacant area of the goal.

Of course, the manager will be more annoyed with the free kick being given away by Steve Cook in the first place. It only give Leicester a better chance of grabbing the equaliser. The problem was that I believe the Bournemouth players had lost all semblance of knowing what was right to do this late in the game. Instead of calm heads it was tired bodies and sheer panic and desperation. Hoping for a whistle that isn't coming is until you have been fully tested is never a situation that I feel confident about as ab AFCB supporter. We have seen late goals against our team on too many occasions.

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Bournemouth were not going to escape at Leicester either. On balance of play, Leicester probably deserved their equaliser but it came unfairly late and took away perhaps the most important points of the season for the Cherries. Safety was snatched away in a brief moment and the players know they'll need something even more special to defend better against the visit of Spurs to Dean Court.

Match Report: Mahrez stuns Cherries in dying minute

Match Report

Leicester City 1 v 1 AFCB

3 March 2018

Attendance: 31,384

AFCB visited the King Power hoping to make ground on the top 10 in the table.

Bournemouth can go and win games with their flare at times and be unstoppable, but when the league table is this tight, sometimes decisions seem more difficult to make. Howe opted to send Andrew Surman on and protect his one-nil lead but Leicester just got stronger as the game went on and a precious three points was turned into one when Riyad Mahrez whipped in his last minute equaliser, from a free kick, to break Bournemouth hearts. A point is important, but it could have been so much more.                                        

AFCB made one change in the starting line up with Adam Smith winning his place in the team having scored last week and making such an impact. Jordan Ibe and Marc Pugh picked up injuries during the week, Ibe with a hamstring injury and Pugh with a calf problem. So on the bench was midfielder Kyle Taylor, 18-years old, along with Ryan Fraser, Lys Mousset and Jermain Defoe.

Leicester brought in Amartey at right back and Adrien Silva in midfield to their starting line up.

The Cherries were to keep their unbeaten record against Leicester in the Premier League.

Match Description

Bournemouth kick off in their red and black home kit. Josh King loses out to Maguire early on but Steve Cook puts in a crunching tackle on Vardy. AFCB are being held in their own half but a poor pass from James has AFCB going forward.

Bournemouth have started off in a 4-4-1-1 formation, according to BBC Radio Solent but it seems Daniels and Smith are pushing up at times. Gosling is already pressing high. Steve Cook makes an interception but Mahrez picks up the loose ball. Francis wins a header on half way but no AFCB player is near it. Leicester have a corner and Begovic punches clear.

Stanislas on the left finds Francis and King who wins a throw right in the bottom corner for AFCB on 8 minutes. Steve Cook's long throw is cleared.

Leicester keep trying to spring Vardy but have not found him in the clear yet. Stanislas plays an early ball in but its picked up by Amartey. Stanislas puts a weak shot in but while it's on target its easy for Schmeichel to gather.

Lewis Cook makes a big tackle. Adam Smith is fouled by James on half way. AFCB are getting some good possession now and a few moves are starting to come off for them.

Aké has to come across to stop Armartey. Adrien Silva finds himself between the midfield and AFCB's defence but shoots well over. That was a good move from Leicester.

Mahrez is clear but Begovic keeps his arms up and parries it away. Mahrez should have done better. Aké was not close enough. Best chance of the game so far. Leicester have a corner and Begovic has caught that. 

Wilson is fouled by Morgan and has a free kick just in the Foxes' half. Schmeichel insists on kicking long looking for Vardy. AFCB seem aware of the tactic that has happened a couple of times now.

Gosling and King just misplace their passes around the box. Armartey is down and needs attention. His left hamstring could have gone here. The applause is taking place for the five who died in Leicester last week in the fire.

Armartey is coming off and on comes Ben Chilwell on 20 minutes. Albrighton has come over to the right as a full back and Chilwell has gone to the left side.

Lewis cook is challenged by Ndidi but has a throw. Daniels misplaces his pass. Adam Smith loses the ball but Mahrez can't capitalise.

King robs Ndidi and I don't know if Josh was looking for Wilson or looking to shoot, but he did neither well and mis-kicked it well wide! King should have made Schmeichel make a save there on 23 minutes.

Daniels pulls it back for Stanislas and he's just put it over the top left corner! Stanislas was wasteful there. AFCB again and Stanislas puts it right on King's toes in the penalty box but the shot is tame and right at Schmeichel! Bournemouth are opening up Leicester at will but the chances aren't being taken. The ball into King was to be fair a bit behind him. Wilson is not coming off well in his battle with Wes Morgan.

Gosling fouls Adrien Silva on half way. Maguire runs past Gosling but has his shot blocked by Aké on the edge of the box. Albrighton into Vardy, but it's off Steve Cook for a throw.

King breaks and Simon Francis makes a hash of a pass to Lewis Cook! Vardy is lucky to get away with a challenge on Steve Cook and Francis gives a free kick away for handling the ball. Francis had thought a foul had been called on Vardy. A header from Maguire is saved by Begovic - he looked offside anyway.

Smith and Wilson on the break Stanislas and King is brought down by Albrighton. It's a penalty to Bournemouth on 34 minutes. Josh King steps up. Schmeichel is protesting. King is having to wait. King sends Schmiechel the wrong way and scores bottom right, on 35 minutes.

AFCB have to defend. Daniels makes a mistake. Francis tidies up with a high clearance. Vardy finds Mahrez and Begovic has to get down low to his left, great save! Begovic looks on form today.

Adam Smith is caught by Chilwell high up on his body. Nothing given. AFCB have to defend a long throw. Stanislas and Lewis cook to Wilson, intercepted. Leicester come forward.

Ndidi and Maguire. Leicester knocking it about. Mahrez crosses but Albrighton's pass is cut out by Daniels. Maguire plays it in and its headed clear. Stanislas loses out. Steve Cook wins his header.

Lewis Cook is fouled by Ndidi and AFCB get a breather. AFCB are starting to reassert themselves now, finishing the half well. Francis is caught by Francis and the captain is holding his left foot. Francis is okay.

Albrighon does a risky pass back to Schmeichel and Wilson was almost in and the ball bounced back off Wilson luckily for Leicester. Wilson now picks up a foul with Fuchs running into the back of him. This should ensure AFCB go into the break with a lead. Three minutes of added time. Steve Cook's header is wide and the flag is up.

Gosling gets in a solid tackle. Wilson battles for the ball but Morgan shrugs him off. Half time 0-1 to AFCB. A good half by Bournemouth and it could have been a bigger lead.

AFCB 44 per cent possession, 6 shots, 3 shots on target, no corners, 3 fouls

Leicester 56 per cent possession, 7 shots, 3 shots on target, 2 corners, 6 fouls

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Second half

Leicester kick off. Lewis Cook gets the ball and sends Wilson on his way. Francis runs into trouble. Daniels comes forward but the one-two goes wrong with Stanislas.

Gosling is down and Daniels puts the ball out. Ndidi had caught Gosling high on the knee. Stanislas sends Wilson on the left. King is robbed by Maguire. Bournemouth have a free kick though as Adam Smith is down and Adrien Silva gets a yellow card.

Wilson is setting himself more against Maguire this half. Morgan is such a beast, I don't blame him. Vardy on the wing puts a cross in and Steve Cook clears for a corner. Leicester's third of the game and Begovic catches his second ball from a corner.

Lewis Cook feeds King on the left. Daniels and Stanislas, Daniels and he is shoved off the ball by Ndidi - how is that no penalty? Awful refereeing. Feel cheated! A clear foul in the box.

Bournemouth have a throw, deep in Leicester's half. Stanislas sets himself but his shot is miles over. Where are Stanislas' shooting boots. Time for Ryan Fraser me thinks.

Francis can't out run Chilwell but he had a good go. Ndidi fools Gosling. King tackles back. Fuchs now and Aké heads clear. Are Leicester running out of ideas?

Mahrez and Chilwell. Bournemouth break with Lewis Cook and now Adam Smith but he has run the ball out. Leicester sub Adrien Silva and on comes Iheanacho on 59 minutes.

Vardy ball comes back to Chilwell off Steve Cook's clearance, but the shot hits Steve Cook and goes over for a corner! Good chance that. Vardy heads it but it's wide of the far post.

Vardy chases a long ball and Aké and Steve Cook win headers. AFCB are going to need another goal here you feel. Leicester are starting to build some momentum. A long throw from Fuchs and Begovic catches it.

Lewis Cook and King but Marhez is away and Steve Cook does enough to stop Vardy. Leicester fans did not like that - looked a foul to me. Mahrez gets a free kick off of Gosling who gets a yellow card.

Mahrez puts in a cross and Morgan heads over from six yards! It was behind the big man and he couldn't get over it, 65 minutes gone.

Vardy runs wide and Aké blocks for a corner. Begovic catches again - he's having a great game. Wilson has to battle for the ball, Probert is giving him nothing.

Daniels and Stanislas wins a throw. Steve Cook clears from Vardy and Chilwell thumps the ball against Gosling who is down. It's a corner but Bournemouth clear and a shot from Fuchs is charged down. The ball runs to Vardy and he shoots high and wide. Twenty minutes to go.

Gosling over the top and King was chasing. Aké wins a free kick. Steve Cook puts n a stooping header and Adam Smith fouls Chilwell, diving in. A bit too forceful. Francis touches it, Morgan headed back across goal but he could not direct it in.

Corner to Leicester. Off the line from Maguire twice! Wilson first and then Iheanacho. Bournemouth need to make a change this is getting dangerous for their lead.

King and Stanislas tried to volley but Albrighton blocks.

Good tackle by Lewis Cook on Chilwell. Maguire hols off King but it's a free kick to AFCB. King holds his head. An arm in the face for sure by Maguire.

The ball is cleared at the near post. Stanislas looks tired to me. Here he comes again. Daniels and Stanislas belts it against a Leicester player. Andrew Surman is coming on for Callum Wilson on 77 minutes. Bournemouth are looking to block things out.

Daniels wins Bournemouth's first corner of the game on 78 minutes. Leicester break from it. Francis covers well.

Lewis Cook throws a bit of snow at Ndidi, they tap hands. Mahrez and Albrigton crosses but Akee blocks. Mahrez crosses and it's another corner for Leicester, eight of them they've had.

The last 10 minutes. Begovic wasn't getting there and falls but it's a goal kick. He'll take his time over this. Stanislas and King, now Surman and Francis. Adam Smith into King and Leicester smuggle it away for a throw.

Just seven minutes of normal time left. Mahrez and Gosling fight it out before Daniels gives a corner away. Begovic came for it but didn't make it. Another corner. Begovic drops it but Maguire handles the ball and Bournemouth have a free kick.

King and Stanislas turns and shoots well over. Just not his day today in front of goal. Diabaté and Chilwell, Maguie, Mahrez comes through and his shot is deflected by Gosling, corner! Begovic catches this one. AFCB make it so hard for themselves.

Maguire and Diabate wins another corner! Steve Cook heads it. The ball is back in by Mahrez and Vardy is there for it but it's bundled out for anther corner. Gosling bashes this one up to half way. 

Lys Mousset is coming on for Josh King on 90 minutes. There are four additional minutes. Stanislas runs into trouble. Steve Cook heads out. Maguire's shot is blocked and Leicester are offside.

Adam Smith makes a clearance. Gosling is wrestled off the ball. Steve Cook fouls Iheanacho. Thirty yards out. Mahrez to take. Three in the wall. Daniels, Surman and Francis. 

Mahrez and it's gone round the wall and it's gone in 1-1. A cruel blow! AFCB have not done enough. That's it, gutting 1-1.

Summary

One free kick too many and Bournemouth show their inability not to get a clean sheet again. Yes, AFCB were valiant and defended like lions, but what a disappointment. The Cherries played well enough to win the game and if Lee Probert had seen the clear penalty on Charlie Daniels Bournemouth would have held out. Sadly, the officials don't always get it right. The amount of pressure Bournemouth were under was massive in the last 20 minutes but Eddie Howe decided to get defensive rather than attacking. I would have liked to see Fraser come on and stretch his legs, but AFCB just invited more pressure on and we know how that often ends. Leicester did everything to get a point and those missed chances in the first half are really what cost Bournemouth the win. It looks like an unfit bench limited Howe's options.

Bournemouth didn't quite have enough to hold on for the win.

AFCB player Ratings

Begovic 7, Francis 7, S Cook 7, Aké 9, Daniels 7, A Smith 7, L Cook 8, Gosling 8, Stanislas 5, King 7, Wilson 6

Cherry Chimes' MOM Nathan Aké

T-shirt winner
Well done to Matt Adams @SeaScalpel who correctly predicted the 1-1 scoreline.

Leicester City
Schmeichel, Amartey (Chilwell 20), Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs (Diabaté 79), James, Ndidi, Mahrez, Adrien Silva (Iheanacho 59), Albrighton, Vardy

Leicester City Subs
Dragovic, Hamer, Chilwell, Gray. Iheanacho, Iborra, Diabaté

Referee Watch Lee Probert - 1/10: One penalty wasn't enough and Lee Probert will look back at his performance and wonder how he got the Ndidi foul on Daniels so wrong. The Steve Cook Challenge on Vardy was also missed. A few more yellow cards were probably required too - closed my eyes when Adam Smith lunged in for a late one - even if he did get the ball.

Beat Leicester and Europa League is on for Cherries

The match against Leicester City this weekend is big not just because Bournemouth want to get points to secure their Premier League status, but picking three points off Leicester would start to open the door towards an outside chance of catching Burnley and trying to finish in the top seven. The games may be running out, but each match now is having massive implications on the final standings of the table.

The King Power stadium.

Leicester City have stumbled of late at home having had a couple of draws to lower placed teams in Crystal Palace and Stoke City. If they lose more momentum now they will have invited AFCB into the race for a Europa League place and that in itself heaps more pressure on Claude Puel and his team as they have perhaps most to lose in this game.

There has been a bit of a swing in focus for Leicester City which was overshadowed by the Mahrez transfer that never happened to Man City, but now that February's games have almost gone their fans are starting to look a bit more critically at what is happening on the pitch. A 5-1 hammering by Man City could happen to any team, but it could well have knocked Leicester's confidence and AFCB will be hoping to catch Leicester at the right time.  Under Puel, Leicester have started to play with more possession and in the midfield they have good passers like Iborra and Adrien Silva who could now start.

Both Kasper Schmeichel and Asmir Begovic have had a hard time of it of late, but they will probably be the players looking to play better than anyone on the field and while both teams have been conceding and scoring in equal measure in recent games a score draw seems a likely outcome, which could just leave the race for a European spot tantalisingly close, but just out of reach for the Cherries. I would expect most AFCB fans would be happy with survival and a decent top 10 finish, but if the opportunity comes for three points at Leicester, AFCB's priorities could ramp up and provide much more interest in the last few games for the run in.

If you are making the trip today I wish you a safe journey. Hopefully AFCB can repay the travelling fans who have had a difficult last couple of weeks. UTCIAD!

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Match Stats
Data powered by StrataBet Data
This week Cherry Chimes has been given the opportunity to use some excellent data gathered by StrataGem for this match.

• AFCB have created 291 chances this season (10.39 chances/game). On average, they have scored one goal for every 8.56 chances created.

• Leicester City have created 266 chances this season (9.50 chances/game). On average, they have scored one goal for every 6.49 chances created.

Possible Leicester City Line up 
provided by StratGem Data

• AFCB have conceded 346 chances this season (12.36 chances/game). On average, their opponents have scored one goal for every 8.24 chances created.

• Leicester City have conceded 362 chances this season (12.93 chances/game). On average, their opponents have scored one goal for every 8.42 chances created.

• AFCB have scored 34 goals this season (1.21 goals/game).

• Leicester City have scored 41 goals this season (1.46 goals/game).

Possible AFCB line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Surnam, Pugh, Ibe, Mousset, Defoe

• AFCB to win 47.37% based on Leicester's home games and Bournemouth's away games for the last two seasons in this league.

• Average goals scored and conceded by these teams = 2.80 goals (calculation based on the goals each team have scored and conceded this season).

AFCB Away Form
LDDWL

Leicester City Home Form
LDWWD

Rival Lines: "We just want Mahrez to go now," says Leicester Till I Die

Rival Lines

Match Preview

Leicester City v AFCB

Blogger Interview: Leicester Til I Die
Twitter @Leiestertid

This week Cherry Chimes talked with Chris Forryan who runs the Leicester Till I Die blog for the Foxes. They have had a pretty good season and are till involved in the FA Cup as well as hunting down a Europa League spot, but they have had their dramas too with the Mahrez story. Are things now calm at the Kong Power Stadium under Claude Puel or is there any mid-season complacency that the Cherries can take advantage of?

CC: Have your opinions on Claude Puel changed much since he became Leicester City's manager?

LTID: He started off well and got us out the relegation zone and mid-table security, so he’s done what he was brought into to do.

Some decisions baffle us but what team’s managers don’t. The problem is after what Ranieri did we expect every manager to perform miracles.

CC: Does the FA Cup take on any more importance now for Leicester City that Man City are out or is it all about trying to finish seventh on the league?

LTID: BOTH. We are the team that has been in the final the most times without winning it so after the PL success it would be nice to win it, but with four big teams still in it, it looks a hard task. The battle for seventh and a probable Europa League place seems to be a better route into Europe for next season. I would take losing at some stage in the FA Cup and finishing seventh in the league.

CC: Leicester had good home form in January so what has been the reason for the draws in February against Stoke City and Swansea City?

LTID: Swansea City had come off wins against Liverpool and Arsenal and were on a good run under
a new manager, so a draw against them was a good result.

Don’t mention the Stoke game, as the saying goes "We’re were you when we were sh_t?" I was watching us play Stoke last Saturday!

CC: Has Iheanacho been a disappointment or do you think now is his time having seen Ulloa and Slamni go out on loan in January?

LTID:  Too early to say, not been with us a season yet and has only just started to play regularly due to the injury to Okazaki. Give him time he will come good and an excellent replacement for Vardy.

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CC: Will you be pleased if Mahrez and Vardy finally leave this summer and the club can reinvest in more new players?

LTID: Yes to Mahrez just want him to go now. I don’t believe Vardy will, he's coming into the twilight of his career and will see his days out at Leicester as he has come to realise we suit his style of play.

CC: What might your season have been like had you not brought in Harry Maguire last summer?

LTID: We are short at the back with Huth being out all season. He and Morgan are getting past it and Maguire and Dragovic are solid at the back. To be honest, it doesn’t bare thinking about.

CC: Would you like to see Derby County get promoted just so that you had a gritty local derby match?

LTID: Nope. Don’t want any Midland club to get promoted would like to see them all in League 2

CC: What's the injury list looking like for Leicester City coming into this match?

LTID: Okazaki is the main injury worry, Morgan is back (unfortunately) no other major problems.

CC: If you could have your pick of strikers for Leicester from Defoe, Wilson or King which would you pick?

LTID: Defo Defo. As an impact sub late on when to need to pinch a goal he would be perfect.

CC: How do you expect Leicester to line up against Bournemouth?

LTID:  Schmeichel – Fuchs, Maguire, Morgan, Simpson – Albrighton, Ndidi, James, Mahrez – Vardy, Inachio

CC: Thanks for those answers Chris. It is good to see Leicester City doing well and backing up their Premier League win of a couple of year's ago with a changing squad that has some new names that are staring to get known. Whether Leicester are a long way ahead of AFCB we will find out this weekend, but both teams have a shot at finishing well inside the top 10 and recent games between these teams have been draws so I don't see it easy to pick a winner this weekend.

Check out why Leicester City Till I Die was so displeased with the club's last home game by visiting the wesite.

T-Shirt Competition
Predict the correct score between Leicester City and AFCB this weekend to be in with a chance to win a Cherry Chimes T-Shirt. If we have more than one correct answer we will draw a winner out of the hat.

To enter Tweet your prediction to @CherryChimes

Are Leicester back to their best?

It's typical timing you might think if the Foxes have just found their stride ahead for the match against AFCB. They have not looked solid all season, but a fantastic turnaround in fortune in their last outing against Man City suddenly has everyone wondering whether they are now going to start climbing their way up the league.

Leicester City's last trip to Dean Court.

Their away form has been pretty poor. It is one thing to win at home and another to get three points in away games as AFCB have seen this season. Home support is a big help and Leicester's fans have never deserted them despite the difficult season they have had in the Premier League. Of course they have Kasper Schmeichel back between the sticks and goalkeepers do make a huge difference, especially when the team feels more complete with the main man back in goal. Jamie Vardy also netted a hat-trick against Man City, and that's another main man doing the business for them. Don't forget Riyad Mahrez as well, who is again pulling the assists out of a hat.

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The question is, what will Leicester City be like if they go a goal down at Dean Court? That has to be the question that Howe will hope his team can set Leicester City, and while everything went brilliant for the Foxes against Man City, the only way anyone will know if it was not just Man City having an off day is to see how Leicester get on against a Bournemouth side that are hard to beat at home.

AFCB have their own problems and the gap between the two sides is not big anymore. This will be a great game for the neutral, but a nervy one for both sets of supporters.

Probable AFCB team
4-2-3-1
Boruc (GK), Francis (RB), S Cook, Aké, Daniels (LB, King (RW), Arter (CM),
Gosling (CM), Pugh (LW), Wilshere (FW), C Wilson (FW)

AFCB Subs
Federici, B Smith, Mings, Fraser, A Smith, Ibe, Afobe

AFCB Home Form
WWDLW

Leicester City Away Form
LLDLL

You may also see some of my replies to Questions on the Leicester Till I Die site today.

French fire power added to AFCB with Lys Mouset

So AFCB have opted to delve into the French Ligue 2 to sign Le Havre striker Lys Mouset on a four year deal. It is not a bad place to look seeing that Riyad Marhez did okay at Leicester City in 2015-16. The signing had been in the cards for a few weeks and while he is seen as a potential of great potential according to Neill Blake AFCB will need to see such new signings make a good start to the Premier League careers if they are to survive the 2016-17 season with the club's status still in tact.

Whether Lys plays as an out and out striker or fills a wing position is not yet clear. Like Nathan Aké it appears that AFCB are looking for players that can play in one or two positions having experienced the injury problems they did last season. Being adaptable to play in a couple of positions is not that usual for English clubs but I can see the benefits of players that are not frightened of playing in more than one position.

This is not a player you want to leave space for in and around the box. I can see Eddie thinking about playing him on the right wing as he has provided some great assists. FV Video.

The profile of the squad is starting to look full of U20 and U21 internationals and I don't think that is a bad thing. They have ambition and talent that needs to be nurtured and Eddie Howe has a good record of developing young players. The four-year deal gives Lys plenty of security having been reportedly signed for £5.4m, according to the Daily Mirror or £6.8m reports the Echo. Apparently, Sunderland, Spurs, Arsenal, Bristol City and Italian side Torino had been chasing Lys, so it was a big scoop for AFCB.

Looking at the players that are being signed it suggests that the Cherries are going to be an even more attacking side next season if that is at all possible. Eddie is an advocate of being positive and scoring goals and if AFCB are to stay up it will be with the firepower they are now accumulating.

Boruc saves penalty and Cherries win valuable point against Foxes

Match Description

Leicester City 0 v 0 AFCB

2 January 2016

Attendance: 32,006

AFC Bournemouth put up a rearguard performance as soon as they went down to 10-men when Simon Francis was adjudged to have fouled Jamie Vardy in the box, who was closing in on goal. Artur Buroc was a hero though in saving Mahrez' spot kick and the Cherries held out for more than half an hour to get a great point against the Foxes who will see this as two points dropped.

This was a real cat and mouse match with AFCB having most of the possession in first 45 minutes (59 per cent), but Leicester always looking dangerous on the break. There were good early chances for King and later on Gosling, while in between those chances Jamie Vardy struck the post with a hard hit shot and Boruc well beaten. If there had been some more accurate shooting it could have been about 3-3 by half time, but this game needed an in-form striker. AFCB fans hoped it would be Murray who came on for King after half time, but Franics brought down Jamie Vardy and Leicester had a penalty. Francis certainly got a touch on the ball, so was perhaps a bit unlucky to be sent off. The game changed in an instant and AFCB just had to hold on for the rest of the match, helped by Sylvain Distin reinforcing the defence.

Eddie Howe made just the one change to the starting 11 with Junior Stanislas replacing Marc Pugh, but on the bench Shaun MacDonald also came in for Eunan O'Kane. The team lines up in a formation that was 4-1-2-3 with Stanislas and Ritchie getting up to support Kingn and Surman lying deep in midfield. Leicester City just made one change with Inler being dropped for Ulloa as Leicester lined up 4-4-2.

Jason Tindall gives the AFCB team news.

Match Description listening to BBC Radio Solent
AFCB are playing it along the back line., but they lose it on half way. Arter is still playing it around and comes forward and Stanislas' shot is blocked. Shouts for a handball by Morgan are turned down.

King on the left win a throw. AFCB are coming forward and have possession. Vardy is chasing the ball as AFCB have it at the back. Stanislas loses the ball. It's on the right side now with Smith Surman finds King and Simpson clears before Gosling can get there. Gosling crosses and it's cleared.

Ulloa chased down Francis but AFCB regain possession. With five minutes gone its AFCB in control. Daniels and Cook are keeping possession but Arter loses the ball and Leicester come forward. Kante on the left. Albrighton crosses and Mahrez goes for a spectacular overhead kick but it's well over.

Daniels and Kante robs Stanislas running back. Drinkwater breaks but Ulloa has a poor touch and the ball runs through to Boruc. Ritchie plays it back to Cook and Daniels gets a cross in that Morgan puts out for a throw after 12 minutes. Leicester are playing very deep.

Smith and Surman to Francis long ball to Stanislas who clips the ball back and King misses a header from six yards out - wide! A great chance that for AFCB.

Mahrez now loses the ball. Smith loses the ball. Fuchs and Arter makes the tackle. Some 15 minutes have gone. A long throw from Fuchs and Francis and Arter clear. Surman with another clearance.King loses the ball to Morgan.

Mahrez looks for Vardy but it's too strong and a goal kick. Stanislas in space but Daniels loses the ball. Mahrez to Kante and the cross is cleared by Steve Cook's header for a throw. That was dangerous on 19 minutes.

Ulloa wins a free kick on half way. All Leicester can do is go back to the keeper. Arter locks for options. Daniels find Arter who runs into trouble. Ritchie gets a cross in but Schmeichel catches it.

Vardy brings in Kante. Smith gets an interception. Francis stops another Leicester attack. Arter is dispossessed.  Ulloa and Vardy is through and he hits the post! "The miss of the season," says Williams. Ulloa had a shot that fell kindly to Vardy but he smashed it against the upright on 26 minutes.

Kante plays it out wide but AFCB players swarm around the ball.  Leicester are playing further up now but their passing escapes them in the last third. Arter is getting a quiet word from the ref. Leicester have a throw on the left.  Fuchs to Vardy and Mahrez. Albrighton is headed away by Cook and Arter volleys the ball up field.

AFCB have a throw on 32 minutes. The game is much more even now. Ritchie puts in Stanislas who breaks on the left but the shot is well wide and over the bar. Arter fouls Kante and gets a yellow card. Two feet to bring Kante down. Ulloa wins the header but it's wide.

King works hard to win the ball. Arter plays the ball in but Ritchie is just beaten by Huth. King now spins away from Fuchs and gets a free kick on the right as Kante runs into him. Francis questions why no yellow card? Ritchie to take.

It's headed away. King puts it back in the box but again it's cleared. King makes a good break and pulls the ball back for Gosling and it's a poor shot over the bar.

Leicester with a chance at the other end on the right but its pulled across the goal by Vardy with two defenders on the line as Boruc ran out. Still goalless. Gosling is fouled by Drinkwater but again no yellow card. Stanislas pumps it in and it bounces just over the bar!

Five minutes to half time.  Simpson goes back to the keeper. Stanislas is on the ball. Daniels. Arter loses out. Mahrez and Simpson jeep possession. On the left now with Albrighton and AFCB win a free kick. Francis comes forward. Arter and Smith, Arter back to Boruc. The pass is over hit by Cook.

Gosling battles for the ball. King misunderstands and does not make a run. Leicester are pressing now but Ulloa loses the ball. Arter wins the ball and Smith wins a free kick. Ritchie sprays it over to Daniels on the left. Stanislas comes back in field to Francis and Smith leaves it for Ritchie. Smith gets the cross in but it's over King's head. Half time 0-0.

Second Half
Leicester made a sub with Dyer replacing Ulloa who had not been having his best game. Cook and Francis at the back. Smith loses the ball and Leicester have it but Gosling wins it back. Morgan now and Kante. Ritchie and Francis clears a bit short to Vardy but Francis makes a diving header clearance.

Lee Tomlin is warming up and Glenn Murray. Murray is getting ready to come on. Cook to Arter. and Francis and Ritchie. Smith and Huth. Gosling fights back against Albrighton. Murray is ready to come on. Ritchie and Smith comes forward, Huth has it. Up to Vardy who shoots to the left side of Boruc but the keeper pushes it out for a corner on 51 minutes.

Murray comes on for King and Morgan misses a great chance from the corner and side foots it over from three yards! Still 0-0. Surman is blocked. Marhrez and Arter wins the ball and Vardy fouls Ritchie on AFCB's box.

Kante and Simpson. Drinkwater to Dyer. Simpson and Drinkwater makes a cross and Cook and Ritchie clear. Morgan now and Mahrez. Francis clears. Gosling gets the ball back. AFCB have lost their way a bit with 54 minutes gone.

Surman and Arter. Stanislas loses the ball. Cook plays it up for Murray. Gosling and Smith. Francis over to Stanislas Huth clears. Mahrez on the left and Francis clears. Fuchs' cross is caught by Boruc. Ricthie and Arter. Vardy breaks and Francis brings him down. It's a penalty and Francis is sent off! 58 minutes gone. Mahrez to take the penalty.

It looked a harsh decision. Boruc saves it to his left. Great save! AFCB now have to play out 31 minutes with 10 men. Arter is subbed and Sylvain Distin comes on. It was a nice height for Boruc but a good save.

Drinkwater long to Kante and Vardy's chip is caught by Boruc. Vardy pushes past Smith and Boruc has to clear for a corner with his feet. Boruc catches the ball. Mahrez and Albrighton Gosling is clipped and Albrighton is in the book.

Stanislas on the left wins a throw. Surman and Smith his shot is blocked by Morgan and Stanislas is deflected for a corner. Ritchie to take. Drinkwater clears and Smith hits a shot from 30 yards that is blocked. Kante and Mahrez. Kante to Albrighton who crosses and Distin heads away for a corner to Leicester.

Okazaki comes on for Albrighton. Murray clears over the bar. Surman heads the next corner out and Kante shoots well over.  There is a head injury to an AFCB player but Leicester keep playing. It's Stanislas. He is holding his shoulder having been dumped to the ground  by Drinkwater.

Kante on the left. Smith makes a clearance.  Fuchs wipes the ball. It's flicked on by Huth but Boruc is there. Daniels is on a run and hits a shot on the volley but it's wide, 70 minutes gone. Simpson makes a run but Boruc gets there first.

Leicester are keeping possession. Drinkwater and Dyer. Kante to Fuchs. Goal kick for the Cherries. 

Leicester make a sub and de laet comes on for Simpson on 74 minutes. Okazaki receives a ball from Vardy challenging Cook, but shoots wide.

Morgan go long to Kante and win a throw. Drinkwater and Mahrez, de Laet puts in a low cross but Gosling does enough to put Leicester strikers off. and it runs out for a goal kick. Boruc is taking his time.

AFCb have all 10 men back. The chip in from Leicester is out on the full. Vardy sends in Kante but he slips over. Gosling has a shot blocked. Vardy makes the break and Daniels clears for a corner. The corner comes in and hits the side netting.

Just eight minutes to go. Murray is offside. Mahrez is into the box and Boruc makes the save past the post. Vardy's header just drops wide of the right hand post from the corner. Eddie Howe is still barking out instructions.

Kante to Drinkwater and de laet who crosses but Kante can't get a shot in. Another shot from Kante hits Murray and Drinkwater shoots wide from 20 yards. Only four minutes to hold out plus added time. Smith gets a big tackle in on Dyer. Daniels puts in a big clearance to half way.

Distin clears it ahead of Vardy. Leicester are trying everything. Mahrez' shot deflects for a corner. Kante from the corner tries to bend one but well wide. AFCB have a throw.

Four minutes of extra time. Drinkwater and Kante. Schmeichel comes out. Kante on the left Vardy dives in the box with Gosling. No penalty! He runs in front of Gosling and looks for the penalty - goal kick.

Two minutes of extra time have gone. Ritchie hits it high and out of play. Schmeichel pumps it long. Fuchs and Drinkwater. Cook clears. Stanislas and Huth comes away with the ball.

Murray is taking a breather and the ref helps him up. Fuchs cross and Boruc collects it. Leicester come again. It's all over 0-0.

Summary
A brave point won by the Cherries. While it would have been helpful to keep 11-men on the pitch it was the first time this season that the Cherries have been reduced to 10 players in a game. It should give the team great confidence to have held out and kept a clean sheet against the joint leaders before the start of play.

Leicester City
Schmeichel, Simpson (de Laet 74), Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kanté, Albrighton (Okazaki 65), Ulloa (Dyer 45), Vardy

Foxe's Subs
Schwarzer, de Laet, Wasilewski, Dyer, Inler, King, Okazaki

AFCB

Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie, Gosling, Arter (Distin 60), Stanislas, King (Murray 51)

Cherries; Subs
Federici, Distin, MacDonald, Pugh,  Tomlin, Rantie, Murray

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 10, Smith 7, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 7, Surman 8, Ritchie 6, Gosling 8, Arter 7,
Stanislas 6, King 6

Ref watch: Andre Marriner 4/10 he always gives a penalty against AFCB but perhaps we can thank him for not giving two.

Is it a good time to play Leicester city?

Some may feel that it is a good time to play Reniera's team having seen them lose to Liverpool over Christmas and just drop a shade from their very high standards. Personally, I don't believe there is a good time to play the Foxes when they are at home and even if they have not been winning of late, it just makes them more determined to play well.

Claudio Reniera is perhaps getting fed up of being asked what the target is after they get to 40 points as it is becoming a bit of a hurdle at present to reach that landmark. Of course, I hope Leicester City still fall short of that magic number after Saturday's game against the Cherries but the joint table toppers are an awkward side to play. The big stat that stands out for me though is that the Foxes have only been beaten once at home this season against Arsenal and that was in September.

Leicester City at Dean Court last August.

Winning away at Everton was a big result for the Foxes and against Liverpool at Anfield they were a shade unlucky with limiting the Reds to basically one chance which Benteke took. It is not just Vardy and Mahrez that are catching the eye now. In midfield the intelligence of N'Golo Kante is becoming more evident and in Danny Drinkwater they have a player who will run through walls for Reniera. There are also calls for Marc Albrighton to get another chance for England, while Kasper Schmiechel has been great for them in goal.

The Cherries did well to get a point from Leicester when they came down to the Vitality earlier in the season, but holding out against them away from home would be one of the best results of the season. Leicester play with high intensity and it is perhaps the game Eddie Howe would least like to play after facing two other top six sides, but you can't choose the fixture order and AFCB will just have to match the Foxes' energy levels and work rate. Of course, a win against Leicester would be a tremendous boost for AFCB and it is that mentality that they need going into these January games.

It may not be a great time to play Leicester City, but it may not be as bad as after the January window when they have strengthened yet again.

Leicester City Home Form
WWDWD

AFCB Away Form
LDWWL

You can now read my return interview about to day's match with Leicester Till I Die. Also see Rival Lines for my questions to the Leicester blog.