Why did AFCB fail to dominate Rotherham Utd?

There have been some encouraging signs in the last few weeks about AFCB improving their game. The balance against Rotherham United though lacked a few ingredients to take the game away from the South Yorkshire side, and it was surprising that the absence of Lewis Cook and Arnaut Danjuma would make the game so much more difficult.

AFCB remain in second and have to learn the lessons of Rotherham match.

There is no guarantee that Bournemouth would have won the game if they had played a fit Danjuma and Lewis Cook, but the ability to unlock defences was not as potent as we have seen in recent games. It meant Bournemouth were not as well equipped to pin Rotherham back in their own half and the MIllers had their own joy in releasing Joe Mattock on the wing who put n some testing crosses for the Cherries to deal with.

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Bournemouth will have games where they don't have their full complement of regular starters. Dan Gosling and Philip Billing did well enough, but they are different kinds of players and the balance of the team going forward had been altered. Stanislas and Solanke did well, but I think David Brooks benefits when Danjuma is on the pitch, as their double threat on both wings stretches defences, while Stanislas finds the gaps as well more easily when this approach is taken.

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The inability to keep Rotherham tied down showed how much more work needs to be done on defending crosses. Bournemouth were nowhere near stopping Joe attock's cross for the first goal and there were other occasions where crosses caused problems. All credit to Rotherham, they had a real go at Bournemouth and it needed Bournemouth to find their own best cross to get Dominic Solanke free to make it 2-2. It was interesting that Diego Rico was allowed to come on rather than move Lloyd Kelly out to the left-wing, as had been done in the Reading match when Rico had been subbed. Perhaps Rico has been told that he must get his crosses in more accurately, because he certainly delivered a great ball for Solanke to score.

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Whether the return of Josh King, Danjuma and Lewis Cook will give Bournemouth that extra momentum will be seen in the next few games. But the opposition in this league can surprise, as we have seen with several of the bottom six teams now having managed to get points off of AFCB and Bournemouth have another such game at home to Preston North End in their next match.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Cherries miss chance to go top drawing 2-2 a Rotherham

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Cherries miss the chance to go top drawing 2-2 at Rotherham Utd

Match Report

Rotherham United 2 v 2 AFCB 

28 November 2020

Bournemouth were given a test they didn't really want at Rotherham. While Junior Stanislas scored first from the penalty spot, a couple of goals from Freddie Ladapo either side of half-time gave the Millers a 2-1 lead and the Cherries faced the possibility of a second defeat. A double change, seeing Diego Rico and Sam Surridge come on the pitch, led to Dominic Solanke heading in an equaliser, leaving Bournemouth with half an hour to try and get a winner. It didn't come and Bournemouth had to settle for the point.

Bournemouth find it hard going against Rotherham United.

Bournemouth made two changes which gave the team a less attacking feel. Out came Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Cook, and they were replaced by Dan Gosling and Philip Billing. It was perhaps surprising that Riquelme who is an out and out winger didn't get a start ahead of Philip Billing with Danjuma being unavailable. Danjuma tweeted he would be back in the blink of an eye as it was only a very minor reason why he was out of the squad.

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It was up to David Brooks to carry much of the running threat that Danjuma would usually bring to the game. But Dominic Solanke was putting himself about and had the first Bournemouth shot, while Junior Stanislas was also very much involved in Bournemouth going forward. Junior had the opportunity to put the Cherries 0-1 up when Solanke was fouled in the box by Jamal Blackman and he scored down the centre of the goal on 18 minutes.

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Rotherham almost found a way to equalise when Begovic had to make a great tip-over save from Jamie Lindsay's header on 22 minutes. It was followed by a chance for Michael Smith who headed wide. The Millers did get back on level-terms when Bournemouth lost the ball in midfield and Mattock's cross was converted at the near post by Freddie Ladapo on 35 minutes.

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Stanislas could have put Bournemouth back ahead at the end of the first half when he was through with Olosunde in close attendance, holding Junior's arm as he got a tackle in. Stanislas then came close with a shot that almost sneaked in at the post. 

Bournemouth came out meaning business in the second half with Stanislas making Blackman have to get down to save straight away, but Bournemouth found themselves 2-1 down when Freddie Ladapo scored his second with chip, come cross, that looped up over Begovic on 50 minutes.

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Tindall subbed Dan Gosling and Adam Smith on 61 minutes and brought on Sam Surridge and Diego Rico. Rico crossed straightaway and Solanke headed in for the equaliser on 62 minutes.

Angus MacDonald went close with a scissor kick that Begovic saved before the follow up was flagged for offside. Solanke then missed a chance to go around Blackman in the Rotherham goal. An audacious chip from Lerma just a few metres into the Rotherham half sailed perilously close to going in with Blackman off his line, but the winning goal didn't come.

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Summary
Bournemouth probably got out of jail with this result. They don't look to be the complete package without Danjuma and Lewis Cook. The run of games is hard in the Championship and it is relentless. Rotherham United are fighting for their lives and with the crosses that Mattock was putting in, Begovic had to be at his best. Junior Stanislas is playing some great football and Dominic Solanke is showing he can score goals at this level, but there are some issues in Bournemouth's defence of crosses and they were exposed in this game. Luckily Norwich City also slipped up and it just closes up the top six with Watford winning their game.

AFCB Subs: Travers, Rico, Zemura, Ofoborh, 

Simpson, Kilkenny, Riquelme, Anthony, Surridge

Rotherham United: 27 Blackman, 22 Olosunde (Clarke 64), 19 Harding, 20 Ihiekwe, 21 A MacDonald, 3 Mattock, 16 Lindsay, 25 Crooks, 8 Wiles, 24 Smith, 10 Ladapo (Vassel 89).

Rotherham Subs: 1 Johansson, 5 Jones, Clarke, 5 Thompson, 26 Barlaser, 14 Miller,
28 Jozefzoon, 7 Vassel, 9 Hirst 

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can Bournemouth make it four in a row?

Can Bournemouth make it four in a row?

Even when Bournemouth won the Championship in 2014-15 they only managed a run of four wins or more twice in the season and Middlesbrough and Norwich City were the teams that ended those runs. Rotherham may not have the same pedigree, but Bournemouth need consistency if they are to stretch their winning run.

Steve Cook will look to keep the winning run going.

While the media have made big news of Josh King not yet being ready to play, I expect the Norweigan striker will find it hard to get another game for Bournemouth before the transfer window opens. Jason Tindall doesn't need to make wholesale changes for this match, but he could give some of the younger players a chance to impress if he can win the game early on.

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The player that is more of a miss for me is Jack Stacey. Adam Smith did well enough in the last game as cover and I don't see any changes coming in the back four. David Brooks was looking a bit more of a doubt, having put everything into the game against Nottingham Forest and I wouldn't be surprised if he was given a place to rest on the bench. If so, I'd like to see Riquelme get a start.

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In the center of midfield, Tindall could give Billing or Gosling an opportunity but it is more likely he would leave them on the bench. The form of Stanislas, Danjuma and Solanke makes them sure starters for me unless they are carrying any knocks.

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Winning four matches in a row would be a statement that Bournemouth are doing all they can to chase down Norwich City. The Cherries maybe second to surpass the 30 point mark, but they are well on target to be on for a top-two finish at the moment. Back in the promotion-winning 2014-15 season, the Cherries were in ninth place after 12 games.

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Possible AFCB line-up

AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Rico, Ofobrorh, Gosling, Billing, Brooks, Surridge, Anthony

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Rotherham will hope Bournemouth's impressive run can be halted

Rotherham will hope Bournemouth's impressive form can be halted

Rotherham United have had a tough start to the season with just three wins so far. Ex-Bournemouth midfielder Shaun MacDonald broke his leg against Stoke City at the end of October, and the team has battled on to win one of its last five games. The last home win was a good one though with a 2-1 victory over Preston North End. 

Bournemouth look to take the top spot away 

from Norwich City when they visit Rotherham.

Paul Warne explained that Rotherham, like Bournemouth, have struggled to put in 90-minute performances, playing well in the second half of their latest game against QPR, when they were already 3-1 down at half-time. He accused his players of giving QPR too much respect, so we can expect the Millers to really go at AFCB in the first 20 minutes. While they are coming out on the wrong side of many results, they are scoring goals with Matt Crooks, Daniel Barlaser, Freddie Ladapo and Jamie Lindsay all on two goals. Warne will be hoping that striker Michael Smith continues scoring as he did when he came back into the side in their last match.

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Rotherham's best home win was the 3-0 result versus Sheffield Wednesday in October, but they only had one win in November and remain three points above the relegation zone. It will be Bournemouth's first game at the AESEAL stadium New York Stadium since January 2015 when they won 1-5 in the FA Cup and 0-2 in the league. 

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Injuries for the Millers apart from MacDonlad include, Kieran Sadler who is out for another two months having injured a ligament against Preston North End. Other long term injuries are winger Chiedozie Ogbene (knee) and defender Clark Robertson (fractured foot).

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Bournemouth have won only two of their last five away games, so Jason Tindall will want to see the Cherries find some of their home form carrying over to this game.

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Rotherham United Home Form
DLWLW

AFCB Away Form
WDDLW

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Has Tindall got the balance right for AFCB?

Lee Camp will be a big hit at Rotherham

Like many AFCB fans I am sad that the Cherries have parted company with Lee Camp. It was always expected to happen when Adam Federici was signed in the summer and Lee's position at the club looked surplus to requirements. But Lee was immense when he first came to the club and gave the Cherries the kind of confidence at the back that saw them establish themselves comfortably in the Championship in 2013-14 after Ryan Allsop had found it difficult to hold down the keeper's position. 

Lee Camp was fabulous for AFCB in the Championship.

Lee has been a great servant to the Cherries and has always been a great shot stopper. The need for him to continue playing first team football though is clear and he deserves to go to a club where he will be the number one. While the Cherries have had tremendous success and Lee has been a big part of that, he will soon start winning points for the Millers.

It was no doubt a favour to Lee that the Cherries cancelled his contract to enable him to join Rotherham Utd yesterday. He had been linked to other clubs over the summer and Huddersfield were said to have been interested in signing him as well as Bristol City earlier in the window. While he has chosen to join a club at the foot of the Championship table, he'll see it as a challenge to start getting clean sheets. We wish him lots of luck.

No need for AFCB fans to be downhearted

It is easy to feel a bit low after the Cherries last minute sickner against Sheffield Wednesday. The last time I felt that kind of blow was when Rotherham United managed a last minute equaliser at the Goldsands Stadium back in September. It was hard to take then but now it is much worse with the knowledge that the club is so close to having the dream season.

Eddie is still focused on getting the necessary points for AFCB to get them up. 

If you are like me you have probably already played out every different scenario of how this season might conclude for the Cherries. Whether it was celebrations at Dean Court, the Valley or at Wembley, I can't remember but every dream seems to end with AFCB fans getting very merry. The great news is that AFCB are still in it with a chance of finishing top, while a top four finish is already a tremendous achievement.

I did not hang around too long after the game at Dean Court last Saturday as I wanted to get away and reflect on matters in a situation that was a bit calmer. Fans are passionate at games and when the result doesn't go your way it is easy to overreact. In hindsight I don't believe the team has been playing as well as it can in the last few games although it had been picking up points. It is only to be expected as these are not normal games. Some how AFCB have to just focus on what is in front of them. Winning the next two games would be the culmination of work that has been on-going ever since the club managed to get that famous win against Grimsby to keep them in the league.

I do expect some grown men to be crying at the Valley in a couple of weeks time but I believe they will be tears of joy and not sadness - so hang on in there.

Take a look at Cherry Chimes' Championship Run-In 2014-15. All we can say for sure is - 'Win two and the Cherries are up!'

Great News: An extra 1400 tickets for the Charlton game are available

The Cherries win at Brighton was masterful

The manner of the Cherries win at Brighton should fill the manager and the supporters with great belief. Okay, so it wasn't the most fluent of performances and Brighton closed down well and fought extremely hard to stop the Cherries getting into full stride. But three points is all that are important in these games and the pressure will be mounting on Norwich City, Watford and Middlesbrough ahead of their games now as they know they have to get results to keep up with this AFCB side that is starting to ask questions of them.

Tommy could be really pleased with his work at Brighton.

The Cherries entered the game on the back of conceding goals in their previous two matches and although they are now on an unbeaten run of nine games that extend back to 25 February 2015, the team is under tremendous pressure now to keep winning. That is what makes the performance against Brighton such a terrific result. A point away in the Championship is difficult enough but to go to a team that seems to always save its best for the Cherries and to keep them out was very demanding on Elphick, Cook, Daniels and Francis in particular. The fact that Artur Boruc only faced one shot on target does not fully tell the whole story of how hard the defence worked, but it does indicate that they did things right and set the platform for the win.

Brighton had been on a bad run and coming back from a long trip up at Rotherham I always fancied them to tire a little in the second half. The fixture run-in for AFCB has been kind in that respect and the Cherries looked fresh and the impact players they now have on the bench are proving their value. For once the team and the fans can sit back and enjoy Saturday now and see how the chasers do. If the other teams all win though that should not lessen the importance of this victory though as many would have predicted that this was the game that was going to be the biggest test in these last few games. While there are still big matches to come, the boxes are all being ticked off one by one to see if this team is ready for the Premier League and from what I see it is A+ stars all the way at the moment. 

I am due to have a chat with Michael Dunne on his All Departments' podcast later tonight when we go over the events of the last 24 hours, this weekend's results and perhaps look forward to Tuesday's fixture against Reading. Make sure you join us when the podcast is released - I'll announce it on Cherry chimes when Michael posts it.

Photographs of last night's match are now up on Match Day Gallery.

All eyes on Demarai Gray at Dean Court

There was no secret about AFCB's interest in Demaria Gray during the January transfer window. He was certainly the main target and while Birmingham City did not accept any of AFCB's repeated bids it is likely that both the management at Bournemouth and the fans of the Cherries will hope that he plays so that they can have a bit of a closer look at this talented youngster.

Things may of course become a little more complicated if the Cherries make further offers in the summer, but for now Demarai Gray is a Birmingham player who will know doubt be just concentrating on his football. In his last away match against he played for 65 minutes but was replaced by ex-Watford winger Lloyd Dyer and it is possible that Demarai will have quite a battle just to keep his place in the Birmingham side for the visit to the Cherries having scored four goals in the league this season. On Friday too, the young international was subbed on 67 minutes against Rotherham for Lloyd Dyer to come on.

Demarai recently played in the England U19 team that beat Denmark 3-2 where he scored after 44 minutes in the European qualifier. That side is of course managed by Sean O'Driscoll and I am sure that Eddie Howe is kept informed of how Demarai has been playing by Sean.

Whether Gray is worth as much as AFCB seem to assess him is hard to know at this stage in his career, but Birmingham City are clearly wanting to hold on to him. AFCB fans might just find out what the fuss is all about when the Cherries take on Birmingham City on Easter Monday.

AFCB fans will also hope to see the home debut of Kenwyne Jones who is already a favourite having rescued a point for the Cherries at Ipswich, now we just want to see that back flip again.

Are Bournemouth unstoppable now?

Before the Fulham match you had to go back to the FA Cup Third Round game against Rotherham to find an AFCB match when Bournemouth put as many as five past a team on 3rd January. It was a period when the Cherries had also come off a 1-6 away win against this weekend's opponents only a month earlier and scoring goals was no problem at that time. With the goals slowing in February it's easy to see why pundits would wonder if their Cherries would regain their high goal scoring record which have mainly come in away matches. So can we expect more high goal thrillers in these remaining matches?

It's all about looking forward now and enjoying the games that matter - all 10 of them.

I think we can and there is probably a special desire to do that at home. There may be a reason why Dean Court has not been such a goal feast and I don't believe it is just that opposition teams come and flood the midfield. The match against Blackpool will be a good test to see whether the Cherries are in the middle of a purple patch or not. Having put so many goals past them at Bloomfield road, Eddie Howe will be eager to see that AFCB are not complacent and establish themselves in the game well. 

How Blackpool might set about stopping AFCB is much more difficult to guess at. If you are looking for damage limitation from the start of a match it is hardly an encouraging way to get the best out of a team, and in Blackpool's current state they might as well have a go. So I don't think AFCB are unstoppable, but it is going to need a good side to stand in their way and I don't think Blackpool are that team.

With the Cardiff coming so soon on the back of this game don't be surprised if Eddie does do a bit of rotation whether from the start or after half time. AFCB have three games in eight days culminating in a big head to head against Middlesbrough before the last international break. It is asking a lot to play the strongest team all the time as the team has come off a heavy spell in the last few weeks and managing the players now will help them. Still AFCB have a chance to cement the team's position at the top of the league today with another big win, but even a 1-0 I'd be happy to take at this stage. UTCIAD!

AFCB fans plan to start applauding after 44 minutes of the game today to show their support for Watford fan Nick Cruwys who was attacked after his team's last match with Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Supporters can donate at the fund rating site which was approaching £30,000 and fans are also are using #prayfornick on twitter to show their support too

An earlier goal would have been nice

It is no secret that an early goal settles the nerves and gives players confidence. I was hoping that would happen at Villa Park for AFCB, but it was the home team that got that boost and it did make a big difference to their game. On the day though I would say that Villa came out at the start of the second half with a lot more confidence. I don't put that down to the Fabien Delph announcement but a change in how Villa went about the second period, trying to use the width more than ploughing through the centre where AFCB had set up an impressive road block.

Macca nearly got his name on the score sheet.

I can't say that the Cherries didn't have their chances though. Shaun MacDonald almost scored with a move that was similar to the goal he got up at Rotherham in the previous round, but his burst through did not end up in a goal this time. It is also not a cup tie unless someone is bandaged up and playing through the pain and Eunan O'Kane was the unfortunate one who had a little extra attire around his head. I did not see when he picked up the injury, but it did not affect his game much. He grabbed hold of the ball with real intent and hit a very powerful shot low down to Given's left. I suppose it was comfortable enough for the keeper, but if it had got a slight deflection it would have been even harder to keep out.

Eunan had an eye for goal.

We had to wait until the last couple of minutes into extra time for AFCB to get that goal. It was a case of what might have been. It's never satisfying to lose and in many ways the team can feel unlucky as they put up a good fight. I would have been interested to see how Villa might have coped with going a goal down and I think that would have really seen Villa throw more players forward sooner. As it was, they could control the pace and flow of the game and it felt like AFCB were sticking to their principles, but were not really getting us out of our seats as much as we had hoped. There is always next year though and we should not be too greedy having had an even better run in the Capital one Cup. I should say good luck to Villa in the next round against Leicester City, but I went to Uni at Leicester and would kind of like the Foxes do well, so sorry Villa fans!

Rantie Watch
Tokelo Rantie is expected to take to the field against Ghana tonight to try and get South Africa through to the second phase of the competition. Good luck TK!

All Departments looks back at the FA Cup match between Aston Villa and AFCB. See All Departments' website or scroll down Cherry Chimes panel to the All Department's sound bar to listen in.

Keep competing and the Cherries will be fine

I think the last week has demonstrated just how tough the Championship is to win. Eddie Howe said earlier last week that having the Leeds fixture where it was moved to was not ideal but the best of the options available. I don't think he was getting any excuses in early, but geography does not give AFCB a helping hand at times when they are on the road to other Championship sides.

Sticking together.

A trip to Elland Raod is not that hospitable on a bright, sunny Saturday in March let a lone a snowy and cold winter's night in January. But that is what the Championship throws up at you now and again and for once the test was just that bit too strong for our lads. There is a mental side to the game that Jason Tindall drew attention to as well last week before the Rotherham match, saying that AFCB were enjoying the pressure of being top. Of course you would say that, but there really is pressure at the top and there is also pressure on those behind knowing that they must keep winning to hold on to those that are ahead of them.

AFCB players will be out to bounce back quickly
 with some fast starts in games now.

You can't choose when you lose and so it always comes as a bit of a shock when a string side comes out on the wrong side of a result, but it hasn't happened often this season and I don't expect it will happen that often in the remaining games. Leeds have the double against the Cherries but it will be hard for many other teams to achieve that. AFCB have to prove they are winners and they can only do that on the pitch.

At the end of the season there can be no hard luck stories. The best teams go up and the worst ones go down. AFCB will come back with plenty of fire I hope for their next league fixture and the challenge of beating a Watford side that has eluded them in the past should be a good test for a competitive AFCB side. Watford play Blackpool on Saturday first though and could be just four points behind the Cherries when they visit Dean Court.

The Cherries away form is something special

I have been amazed at the level of performances that this AFCB team has been producing away from home. Another record has tumbled this season as eight away wins were totted up after Saturday's victory at the New York stadium. The way the Cherries are set up to counter attack has been most successful and the pace of the team is something that is not only pleasing on they eye, but devastating when it is a fluent attack style with precise passing. Against other Championship defences it has been enough to unlock most of them and to do that with the backing of just a few hundred AFCB fans on some occasions has shown other teams that you don't have to be a Nottingham Forest or a Leeds Utd to be at the top of the Championship.

The Cherries really do like playing away.

At the end of the day, it is what you have on the pitch that really counts, and while AFCB have not got the biggest of away fan bases, the team responds to the support it gets on the road and seems to enjoy playing at the big stadiums. Having been in the lower leagues for many years, many of AFCB's players experienced the Championship last season, but want more than that now. Take away the away form and the team would not be anywhere near as high in the table. AFCB have dropped just 12 points on the road but have seen 15 points escape their grasp at Dean Court from my calculations.

It is also now six clean sheets away from home in the league and that is more than impressive, it is the kind of form that is quite spectacular when you think that Cook and Elphick are only playing their second full season at this level and Elliott Ward is yet to play a game this season in the first team. AFCB have also changed goal keepers with Lee Camp coming in for Artur Boruc, but there is a winning mentality through the different squads at Bournemouth at the moment. This is not simply a successful team, it is becoming a successful club at all levels and it is hard to believe the progress that has been made at times.

The match against Leeds Utd could see AFCB record their fifth away win in a row and that is the kind of standard that they simply have to try and keep producing if they are to keep heading the division. Neil Redfearn said that 'AFCB are due a defeat', but the recent taste of the loss against Norwich is something that I expect the players will use to ensure they leave nothing on the pitch having faced Leeds Utd at Elland Road.

Tomorrow we will have an interview with:
 

AFCB needed a win for momentum

The pressure was probably on the AFCB players more than the fans will ever know at Rotherham, having recently slipped up against Norwich at home. It would have been easy to have felt sorry for themselves having not made the most of a home game, but they went back on the road to take on a team that had been reinforced with much stronger players in the January window, so that the Rotherham team was virtually unrecognisable from the team that the Cherries dismantled in the cup two weeks earlier. It needed a professional performance and a league leader's mentality to get the three points.

If the match had not gone the Cherries way there would have been a lot of nervous tension to take into the Leeds game on Tuesday and the thought of coming back to Dean Court with no points would have been on the player's mind before the FA Cup game against Aston Villa. Now, if they can find their relaxed rhythm against Leeds and secure three more points then the Aston Villa match can be enjoyed for what it is.

An exciting week ahead for AFCB.

Against Rotherham there was less swagger than we have seen in some performances from the Cherries, but I think we can say they did a job. We have often seen teams do a job on the Cherries and it was good to know that Eddie Howe's teams can use their qualities to hold off teams well at arms length and in such battles they can come out winners. The confidence of being at the top of the table is starting to sit a bit easier with the players and it is all about kicking on now. Other teams are recognising that AFCB are the team that play attractive football and can turn on the style at any time during the 90 minutes. When in top gear they are very difficult to stop and unlike previous AFCB teams they find ways to win games.

While other teams are starting to take points off each other, AFCB can start to get a real grip on the Championship. It's about the players now and their desire, because there is a big prize waiting for them and they need to keep believing that it is there for them if they can keep the wins coming.

Check out All Departments' latest podcast that reviews the 0-2 win at Rotherham Utd. You can visit the All Departments' website or scroll down the panel on Cherry Chimes and listen by clicking on the sound bar for All Departments.  

Lee Camp will have enjoyed the clean sheet at Rotherham

It was a bit of a surprise to hear that Artur Boruc would not be starting in the match against Rotherham. An injured neck has forced him out of training in the week and Lee Camp already had his chance to play at the New York stadium for the second time this year. While it may have come as shock to fans, Lee Camp is the kind of  professional that will have been ready to go and he did not disappoint.

Is Lee Camp about to keep goal again against Leeds Utd on Tuesday? 

The only worry was that he had a tight calf muscle in the second half and he could be a doubt for the Leeds match if he is not 100 per cent. Knowing Lee though, he would be very keen to play in the Leeds match. He will want to show that he is capable of helping the team and the timing of his return to the side is perfect for that.

To get a clean sheet was in part down to Rotherham's poor shooting as they only managed two shots on target, despite being in some great positions to score. On another day, Lee might have had to do more but a clean sheet is exactly that and he will be confident of doing the same against Leeds if he gets the opportunity. If he and Artur are both out for the game against Leeds it would be a problem, although Darryl Flahavan would already be reminiscing of his penalty save last season at Elland Road if called upon. It is a great thing about this squad that they are there for each other and in times of need they are all pulling out performances because they have a common goal.

Hopefully, we will get news on Artur Boruc and Lee Camp and hope that they are both fit and can travel to Leeds Utd. Ryan Allsop could otherwise find himself back at AFCB having played for Coventry City on Saturday.

Callum is doing things right

Callum Wilson was happy to say that he knows that he is doing well when he is getting some stick off of the away fans as he did at Rotherham yesterday. He is a real threat in front of goal and even when he does not find the net he contributes brilliantly to the team. It is interesting that he is quite hard on himself when he does not get the goals, but he is a happy chat when he does get on the score sheet and feels that he has done his job.

Callum is looking good for more goals.

It was all about bouncing back at Rotherham and while the team did that it was also great to see that Callum got off of that lucky number 13 he seems to like so much for goals scored. To be fair I don't think that Callum has had many easy chances to add to his tally in recent games, as defenders are getting tight to him and often he finds himself up against two defenders because he is such a goal threat.

Now that he has found the net again I can't see why he can't go on to be the team's top goal scorer. He has the desire and the right attitude and if he can stay injury free he is going to have a fabulous season. His goal against Rotherham was perhaps a bit of a scramble and the persistence of Brett Pitman certainly helped provide the opportunity. Whether Callum prefers playing with Brett or Yann he has not given away, but he has shown that he can score goals when either of them are partnering him up front.

Callum's performances deserve a bit of clap don't you think?

Elphick is off the mark!

I had noticed in recent matches that Tommy Elphick was going up a little more often for free kicks and corners. Having seen all the other starting first team players score this season for the Cherries, he must have been wondering if he would ever get a chance to join them in celebrating a goal of his own making. At Rotherham he had the chance and grabbed it with a simple great header that sped in off the post.

Tommy finally gets his reward at Rotherham.

No more stick for the captain's absence of goals.

I always think it is good for a captain to score a goal. While centre backs may not be the most gifted players on the pitch it is surprising how often some of them find the back of the net, especially in the top flight. Tommy has waited though since the game against QPR last season if I am right, which does not suggest that he should be the one going up for set pieces that often.

Eddie Howe remarked that AFCB have not done so well this season from set-pieces when in the opposition's half and while the centre halves will always want more goals than they get in a season, I believe the deliveries of Ian Harte last season made AFCB more of a threat when looking to score from set-pieces. You can't have 12 players on the pitch though as Jose Mourinho was keen to point out this last week, and I believe that Eddie Howe would rather the team score from open play most of the time in any case.

As for Tommy. I bet he was talking about his goal all the way home to Dean Court on Saturday night. and why not too? Surely, it wasn't just down to the change of boots although we know Tommy is more than a little superstitious. You have to show others that you are captain for a reason now and again - well done Tommy!

I'm not sure it was all down to the new boots,
 seeing as Tommy scored with his head.

Cherries go clear with 0-2 win over Rotherham Utd

Match Description

Rotherham Utd 0 v 2 AFCB
Attendance: 9157 (624 AFCB fans)

The Cherries made their second visit to the New York stadium in a couple of weeks and while this result was not as big as the cup win, they well deserved the three points which takes them clear again at the top of the league. Tommy Elphick was perhaps the most unlikely first goal scorer as he opened his account for this season, and a second half goal from Callum Wilkson finished off a Miller's side who had made it much more difficult for the Cherries today.

Artur Boruc did not travel to Rotherham as he picked up a neck injury in mid-week and did not train on Friday, so Lee Camp resumed duties again at the New York stadium after playing their in the FA Cup Eddie Howe left the rest of the team unchanged from the staring lineup that lost to Norwich City in the previous league match.

AFCB Team news given by Jason Tindall.

Match Description: Listening to Rotherham commentary as AFCB Player was not working!

Wilson inside the Rotherham half get the ball to Arter and Elphick and Francis. Smallwood has the ball but Sammon is off side. Francis is tackles by Fryers. Green in the box but the ball was too strong and goes through to Camp.

Hammill shows too much to Arter and the ball is back with Camp. Daniels has a throw. Richardson to Ward but Pugh blocks. Ward to Richardson but Pitman wins the ball and gets a throw.  Pugh back to Arter and Pugh beats Barmby and is brought down by Richardson. Free kick to AFCB in a good position. Ritchie, shot scuffed as Pitman squared the ball.

Barmby has a shot skewed wide of the post from distance. Foul by Wilson on Fryers - a tug on the shirt. Morgan and Richardson to Smallwood and then Fryers. Hammill keeps the ball in but then runs it out. AFCB have a free kick as Arnason fouls Wilson.Pitman ran on to it but Sammon up ends him and it's another free kick. Wilson at the near post back to Pugh but Fryers blocks! 11 minutes gone.

Fryers inside AFCB half down line to Hammill. Barmby down the left and Arter wins the ball. Daniels and now Cook and Elphick to Francis. Lofted to Wilson but Arnason wins it and Rotherham have a free kick.

Richardson lofts it forward and Elphick clears. Surman to Francis and Wilson chases but it's out for a throw. Barmby to the byline and Paul Green heads it on to his shoulder and it goes over the bar! Good chance that.

Arnason with a long throw. It's headed away by Arter. Arnason cleared by Daniels and Richardson pumps it forward. AFCB clear. Fryers to Sammon and Francis gets the ball out. Francis defends well to get a goal kick. Cook picks out Daniels but Arnason intercepts. Ritchie has it and Pitman comes in but it deflects off of Morgan. Green to Hammill and Fryers in behind looking for Green but it's too heavy.

Sammon making a run against Francis and it takes a deflection and straight into the hands of Camp! Pugh to Pitman and he shoots but it hits Morgan in the chest. Arter and Surman Morgan heads the ball out. Clearance by Cook on 22 minutes. Arnason with a throw. Ward and Camp is alert to catch the ball. Fryers makes a clearance.

Hammill wins a throw. AFCB have only looked dangerous from set pieces so far. Wilson has had a disallowed goal. Arnason defends from Wilson and clears. Shot from distance is blocked by Smallwood. Arter out to the left Daniels and Arter to Pugh to Pitman and Francis puts a cross in and advantage to Rotherham Hammill ion half way to Fryers and Sammon to Hammill and Sammon's shot is blocked but corner to Rotherham.

Arnason gets his head there but Cook does enough and it's out for a goal kick. Free kick to AFCB as Smallwood fouls. Wilson against Morgan. AFCB throw. Rotherham now. Snow is falling! Sammon to Barmby and ball in to Hammill and Pugh covers. Arnason throws but its cleared. Wilson tries to get in behind but Smallwood clears, 30 minutes gone.

AFCB come forward. Hammill fouled by Pugh. Daniels and Pugh cuts infield. Wilson now to Surman in the centre to Arter and Ritchie, back to Arter. Surman and Arter. Ritchie round his man and round his man but hits his shot just to the wrong side of the post! It was a tight angle.

Wilson in space lays it off to Ricthie and Pugh's header is just wide! Agonisingly close to the first goal, but Pugh was leaning back. If he had got it back to Wilson it would have been a simple finish. AFCB have stepped it up. Morgan fouls Wilson. Pitman takes the free kick. Francis to Arter from deep and out to Daniels to Cook. Francis loses the ball to Barmby. Hammill loses the ball. Pugh to Wilson and Pugh back post - Wilson right foot - great save by Collin! Wilson should have done better there apparently. Arter shot far post, stabbed away by Arnason. Back in Arter shot blocked. Rotherham on the break but Ward loses the ball.

Daniels cross but no one is there. Smallwood a bit late on Daniels but gets away with it - goal kick. 37 minutes and still 0-0. Arnason lofts it forward and Elphick wins the header. Green heads to Smallwood. Green to Hammill. parried by keeper. Sammon sets himself but it's cleared. Sammon had a great chance but could not get a shot in. Pugh to Arter, kept in by Francis but the cross is blocked. Richardson clears. Arter ball in and Wilson is down in the area and no penalty is given.

Wilson behind and crosses it but just runs out of room. Pitman to Pugh and Smallwood clears. Ward gives it away. Barmby is up ended by Surman and a free kick to Rotherham. Surman is booked.  Camp collects the ball. Cook back to Camp. Wilson and Ward,. Sammon and Francis to Ritchie and Arter is fouled. Daniels to Pugh and Green wins the ball. Bamrby loses the ball as Pitman gets back.

Pugh to Surman and Daniels runs it out. AFCB have been on top so far, 43 minutes have gone. Fryers  and Green, now Barmby a descent drive but wide of the left hand post! That was 25 yards out and thankfully wide. Richardson clears. Ritchie loses the ball to Hammill. Fryers beats Pitman and Green back heels to Sammon but it is cleared again. Francis gives away a free kick.

Morgan loses out to Arter. Ward crosses to Green in the box and cleared to Fryers who moves the ball in but Camp claims it. Pugh is fouled by Smallwood. Daniels to take. Into the box and it is in off the post and Elphick gets his first goal of the season. 0-1 at half time!

Second Half
It is good to hear New York, New York blasted out over the tannoy! Sammon attacks down the right. Wad and Barmby finds Green to Richardson and Ward low cross stabbed clear. Smallwood to Fryers but Cook clears up to Surman. Francis infield to Surman and then Arter. Finds Pugh and Arter long to Wilson but it's out for a throw.

AFCB win a corner from a short throw. It's a deep corner but the keeper is on the floor and Collins is give a free kick, a bit fortunate there. Wilson plays the ball off to Surman and Cook to Daniels. Cook sweeps the ball to Ritchie but Fryers has it and Hammill. Francis wins the ball and Ritchie up to Wilson now around the keeper and taken out, but no penalty! Lucky Rotherham? Should have been a pen said the commentators.

Arnason stops Wilson again. Barmby had given away possession. AFCB turning the heat up again on Rotherham Utd., 52 minutes gone. Pugh and Daniels on the left. Ritchie now on the right to Francis. Daniels and Smallwood puts it out. Pugh is stopped by Morgan and clears to Sammon. Elphick finds Cook  Pugh to Daniels and Pugh on the overlap into Arter but Richardson clears.

Ricthie edge of the area, shot blocked by Fryers. Ricthie again to Francis and Pitman rolls his man. Pugh to Faniels and a low cross is cleared. Sammon is isolated up front. The ball comes straight back. Surman to Elphick and  AFCB have a throw.

Francis goes back. Barmby breaks with Hammill cross in to Ward and it bounced off his foot to the keeper - heavy touch! Rotherham make a sub as Newton comes on for Barmby. Milsom comes on for Fryers as well. Richardson keeps the ball in and the cross goes in and Hammill blocked Newton's shot from his own team mate!

AFCB have a throw. Elphick to Francis and Wilson is offside.Wilson against Arnason and Ritchie wins a foul off Smallwood. AFCB have not been allowed to take the free kick quickly. Collins holds on well to the cross from Ritchie. the long kick goes straight to Lee Camp.

AFCB have a throw. Daniels to take. Pugh to Daniels Pitman on the slide and Wilson crashes the ball in for 0-2. A real scramble and Wilson fired it in from close range. It popped up, as Pitman got the ball up, and Wilson was there at the right time.

Arter coming forward and is tripped. A yellow card for Smallwood. AFCB 25 yards out and just left of centre. Pitman or Ritchie to take. Pitman, through the wall and Collins watched it past the post. Sammon sees the ball cleared by Cook. Morgan and Richardson with Ward chasing around Daniels, but it's a free kick to Rotherham. Ward takes the kick and clears the bar by some distance!

Richardson low cross and Sammon was lurking. Throw to Rotherham. Arnason in his own half Francis wins it. Finds Pitman but the pass is not good. Francis cross and Morgan clears. Hammill edge on the area, shoots and Green shoots, but  Cook makes a great block.

Wilson is taken out. Yellow card for Milsom. Cook makes an interception. Great ball in from Smallwood and Sammon puts it wide from eight yards out! He got his angles all wrong! 

AFCB with Wilson. Ball into Ritchie but he can't control it. Francis now on 73 minutes. Arnason clears. foul on Ritchie by Hammill. Hammill throws the ball at Ritchie! Ricthie deep to the far post but it is a goal kick. Sammon finds Newton and Elphick covers. Rotherham make a sub as Bowery comes on for Ward.

Sammon is beaten in the air. Smallwood to Bowery on his chest. Green now cuts infield. Right foot to Richardson. Across to the far post and Newton puts the ball into the stand on his left foot. Lee Camp is down in the box possible cramp?

Wilson is replaced by Dan Gosling. Pugh running in but Rotherham clear. Bowery puts in a cross but it's a goal kick. Milsom puts in a cross and Bowery rising at the far post but Daniels does enough. Richardson to Sammon and Hammilll blocked. Bowery at the back post and it's headed away. Newton and Milsom and Green hits it over the bar!

Pugh makes a cross but there is no one there. Hammill concedes a free kick on Ritchie. Arnason with a long throw now. Rotherham pile players forward. Richardson to Green but AFCB clear with Pugh. Arnason under pressure loses the ball and then gets it away. 

AFCB win a corner with three minutes to go. Arter away from Bowery and Smallwood clears. Ritchie against Milsom and it's a throw to AFCB. Rotherham now with a throw. The ball goes through to Lee Camp. Francis and Ritchie on the chase. Newton is crowded by Ritchie and a free kick to AFCB.

Arnason and AFCB make a clearance. Five minutes of extra time. Francis and Pitman holds the ball up. Surman away from Newton. Morgan to Newton and AFCB win it back. Gosling to Pugh and he goes down a bit easy.

Yann Kermorgant gets ready to come on. Green to Richardson. Hammill turns but AFCB have it back. Pitman finds Ritchie and plays a ball in for Surman. Arter playing keep ball. smith is also looking to come on.

Sammon is beaten in the air by Elphick. Francis intercepts the ball and the double sub is made. Ricthie and Pugh go off for Kermorgant and Adam Smith. Green to Milsom, but Golsing comes forward and Kermorgant shoots straight at the keeper!

Arnason on half way to Smallwood and Richardson. Gosling wins it and Kermorgant back to Gosling and Arnason wins the ball. There goes the whistle 0-2 to the Cherries.

Summary
The Cherries bossed this game in the end and took a strangle hold of it when Rotherham failed to take their chances. The Cherries proved too strong and had the good fortune to get their first goal right on half time. the Derby result surely gave the players plenty of incentive to get back to winning ways and the aim now is to get back to back wins with the Leeds match coming up on Tuesday.

Finally, there were a pleasing number of away fans despite the long journey and with the Leeds and Villa games coming up and having only recently played Rotherham. 

Rotherham Utd
Collin, Arnason, Green, Richardson, Morgan, Ward (Bowery 74), Sammon, Hammill, Barmby (Newton 56), Fryers (Milsom 57), Smallwood.

Rotherham Subs
Thompson, Broadfoot, Bowery, Milsom, Newton, Pringle, Derbyshire.

AFCB
Camp, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Kermorgant 94), Arter, Surman, Pugh (Smith 94), Pitman, Wilson (Gosling 79)AFCB Subs
Flahavan, Fraser, Smith, O'Kane, Gosling, Stanislas, Kermorgant

Referee: Phil Gibbs