Cherries destroy 10 man Wednesday on the break 0-2

Match Description

Sheffield Wednesday 0 v 2 AFCB

4 November 2014
Attendance: 16,881

Eddie Howe was still reluctant to make any changes to the team and kept the same starting 11 for the fifth league game in a row. That meant that Brett Pitman kept his place up front alongside Callum Wilson and Tommy Elphick was fit to play despite picking up a knock against Brighton at the weekend.

Listening to BBC Solent Match Commentary with Willo and Kris Temple:

Cook wins the first aerial battle. Wednesday have five across the middle says Willo. Arter passes to Pugh and Daniels beats Maguire and Lees clears. As Birmingham score against Watford Willo says, "Well, not a bad team Birmingham!"

Elphick wins the ball and Matt Ritchie has the ball but Helan gets back to him. Pitman to Wilson and Loovens clears. Loovens under pressure from Wilson, but it's through to Westwood. Palmer now to Maguire and Drenthe and then Maghoma. Daniels clears but gives the ball to Lee. Arter now to Surman is closed down by Coke and the ball is back with Elphick.

Willo says we are playing with some good rhythm. There is not much atmosphere. Drenthe towards half way to Magurie who crosses but Nuhiu can't reach it and it's out of play.  Helan makes a foul throw. Eight minutes have gone. Maguire picks the ball up and Helan up to half way. Arter wins the ball and Francis now. Palmer wins it back into the box and Drenthe shoots and Boruc saves to his right. Brouc makes a poor throw and Boruc has to save to his left from Drente.

Francis goes down from Helan's challenge but its a goal kick. Helan is playing left back instead of his usual midfield position to stop the AFCb threat down the right. Coke has a shot, well wide. 11 minutes gone, but no shots from the Cherries yet.

Westwood plays a ball all the way through to Boruc. Kris Temple says the fashion police would be interested in Westwood's kit  - "a right mismatch". Wednesday have a throw near their corner flag. Cook has the ball, Surman and Pugh finds Francis but Maghoma cuts it out and Elphick clears up to Boruc.

Wilson wins a corner off Helan. First of the game. Ritchie to take. It goes deep to Pugh a looping header and Westwood gets it at a stretch. Pugh again and Wilson, Daniels drives it across but Pitman can't quite get there at the far post. Lee over half way but there is no one from Sheffield Wednesday in AFCB's half. Pitman is looking for space. Pugh infield and Maguire has it and is tackled by Daniels.

Surman almost caught in possession by Coke. Daniels to Pugh and Arter. Piman and Daniels, Surman looks to Wilson and he loses out to Helan. Lee and Cook slips having won the ball, Maghoma has a vicious shot from 30 yards, but Boruc makes a good save. That ball was swerving and Boruc could not hold it but luckily it did not fall to a blue shirt.

Coke to Drenthe and Helan down the left held up by Ritchie. Maghoma in the centre and Lees to Lee but Surman has it and Arter loses the ball. Lee kicks the ball out as the physio comes on for Coke. "He'll get his fizz back," says Temple. Ouch!! Corny.

Drenthe to Nuhiu who heads wide. Goal kick to the Cherries. Wednesday are man marking the Cherries as they try to play out from the back. Pugh nearly got the ball through to Pitman. Ritchie against Helan, Surman and Arter. Elphcik to Surman as Wilson loses possession. Pitman and Wilson is offside.

Lee gives the ball away. Daniels wins a free kick. Francis and Arter, Francis goes down and goal kick. Drenthe is booked by Mike Dean for his challenge on Arter. Maguire and Loovens down the right, Palmer crosses but Steve Cook heads away for a throw. Ritchie breaks and Francis and Surman. Pugh and Daniel one-two past Palmer, and Wilson's flick is well past the post.

Half an hour gone. Francis finds Wilson first touch good save and the follow up by Pitman is not taken! It was on Wilson's left foot and bounced back off the keeper and Brett could not scramble quickly enough to get the loose ball. That's the closest so far for AFCB. AFCB on top but no goals. Pugh gets a shot off but it's over the bar. The mist is coming down now.

Wilson on the left finds Ritchie but the keeper saves. Pugh and Daniels. 11 minutes to the break. Helan beats Francis in the air. The crowd are getting a bit frustrated with all AFCB's passing. Coke to Palmer, Drenthe with his orange boots and a drop of the shoulder from Maghoma and Boruc has it covered. Nuhiu to Maghoma and Drenthe and a floated effort from Coke goes over.

Wednesday have a throw. Helan now gives the throw to the Cherries as he is penalised for pinching too many yards. Surman starts the move and Francis infield Wilson on side but puts the chance over. He spooned it off his right foot. Maguire and Elphick handball not given. Wilson and Francis cross that the keeper collects. Palmer and Lees out of play. Pugh 30 yards out too strong a pass.

Four minutes to half time. Maguire and Coke caught by Arter. Pitman comes away and Francis cross is shut down. Ricthie chased by Helan. The right hand side has been shut down by Wednesday tonight."Surman has been top draw - hardly give the ball away," says Willo. 

Nihiu and Maghoma one two and Nuhiu loses possession. Pugh to Ritchie who shoots and Westwood makes a good save! Corner taken quickly and Arter shoots blocked, Ritchie shoots wide. Westwood was at full stretch to keep Ritchie's shot out.

Arter gets hit by the ball in the face. Wednesday have been at their best shooting from distance says Willo. Wilson almost gets Ritchie in. Maguire and Francis slides in. One additional minute. Drenthe released by Nihiu and a foul from Arter. Free kick to Sheffield Wednesday. Drenthe will take it, 28 yards out - way too high. The half time score is 0-0.

Half time stats: Shots on target SW 3 AFCB 4, Off target shots SW 8 AFCB 10,  Corners SW 0 AFCB 2, Fouls SW 2 AFCB 3, Possession SW 41% AFCB 59%.

Second Half
Cherries in red and black give the ball away to Maghoma. Maguire to Maghoma against Frnacis and a throw. Nuhiu gets a corner. Drenthe to deliver, Boruc did not really get there and the ball goes over! Wilson towards the edge of the area but he overruns it. Wilson to Surman and Pugh gives ball to Lees. Arter and Cook on half way. The ball goes out.

Pitman charges down a clearance. Daniels chases Maguire, Helan and Loovens to Lee and Maguire. Palmer and Drenthe and Wilson tackles back. Wilson fouls Palmer.Palmer mis-controls and its a goal kick.

Pitman over hits a ball to Pugh. Maghoma and Helan against Francis. Pugh to Daniels and back to Pugh. Elphick and Surman over the top for Pitman. Loovens has it, now Francis and Ricthie. Arter pot shot from distance is dragged wide of the post. Daniels puts the ball out.

Maguire to Drenthe who runs at Daniels and wins a corner. Headed away by Pitman and Palmers' shot is well over from 40 yards. Maghoma to Maguire back to Lee.

Pitman to Wilson and he shoots wide! He hit it across the near post but did not even hit the side netting. It was a good ball from Pitman but Callum should have made the keeper work, 56 minutes gone. Surman to Francis with a chance to cross but it runs out off Pugh. Steve May is getting ready to come on for Wednesday. Yann Kemrogant is warming up.

Pugh in space and a free kick. Drenthe is sent off for another yellow card. 10 men for AFCB to play against for the last half hour. All very similar to last season when Wednesday had a player sent off after an hour at Dean Court. Ritchie and Francis crosses too deep to Westwood. Wednesday fans are booing.

Coke and Palmer running at Pugh, back to Maguire, shadowed by Arter. Kermorgant is ready to come on. Surman is giving Ritchie a roasting for a bad pass. Wednesday down the left by Maghoma and Elphick puts the ball behind after Maghoma's good run beating three players.

Boruc claims and finds Wilson and Maguire fouls, but play on and Surman puts the ball in the net - 0-1. Great advantage payed by the referee. 65 minutes on the clock when the goal went in. Kermorgant comes on for Pitman, and Ritchie is off for Fraser. Wednesday go three at the back with may coming on for Maguire.

Wilson puts the ball out of play. Cook up to Kermorgant, Wilson on side and Fraser takes over 0-2!!! The Cherries potent counter attack makes it 2-nil on 69 minutes. The pace and the power just too much for Wednesday to cope with. Fraser finished off with a Dalglish-like flick over the keeper! Eddie's subs are working well. Kris thinks that was Fraser's first touch.

Pugh has to defend and plays it up to Kermorgant and Surman. Nuhiu slides in on Fraser. Pugh looks for Daniels but Wednesday break and Maghoma is stopped by Elphick. Kermorgant to Pugh and an AFCB throw. Maghoma in the box but  Elphick makes a clean tackle.

Lee comes off and Dielna comes on at left back after 78 minutes. Kermorgant goes short to Arter then out to Daniels on the left. Surman let it run away but Pugh has it then Fraser. Arter on the ball as AFCB keep possession - 24 passes and counting. Francis, Surman plays Francis in but he is offside after 29 passes.

Cook misses a ball and Coke through the middle, Maghoma and Helan but Cook heads away. Wilson wins the ball back. Coke goes in on Fraser. AFCB tormenting the Wednesday players now with their slick passing. Arter wins the ball back and now Kermorgant. Francis tackled by Helan and a corner is awarded, six minutes left.

Daniels in towards Cook but it's cleared. Francis into Cook and the header loops over. Coke closed down by Arter, Helan's cross and Pugh wins the ball. Rantie is getting ready to come on. Arter caught by May, but runs into Francis. Fraser now and Francis, but the ball runs out of play. Rantie comes on for Wilson with three minutes to go.

Daniels has the ball. Maghoma runs into Pugh. May's shot is deflected and bounces through to Boruc. AFCB retaining possession until Francis puts it out. Kermorgant through the middle and Fraser back to Kermorgant and Yann shoots over. Seven wins in a row for the Cherries.

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Fraser 67), Arter, Surman, Pugh, Pitman (Kermorgant 66), Wilson (Rantie 88)

AFCB Subs
Camp, Smith, Harte, Gosling, Fraser, Kermorgant, Rantie.

Sheffield Wednesday
Westwood, Loovens, Palmer, Nuhiu, Maguire (May 67), Drenthe, Coke, Lees, Helan, Maghoma, Lee (Dielna 78)

Sheffield Wednesday Subs
Kirkland, McCabe, May, Dielna, Semedo, Young, Taylor-Fletcher

Cherries have options but are the Owls clawless up front?

You need goals to succeed in the Championship and that is something that Sheffield Wednesday are finding hard to do at home. At Hillsborough they have only scored three goals in seven games this season. It is not a recipe for great success, but the Owls have managed to amass enough points to sit 13th in the league and a win against Bournemouth would see them knocking on the door of the top 10 places.

Stuart Gray has been praising Royston Drenthe for his unplayable skills during the Charlton match on Saturday when he ran the show in the first half and AFCB will have to be careful of him. But that was his first goal of the season. Atdhe Nuhui is the top scorer on five in league and cup, while Chris Maguire is also a player that could get a goal or two for the home side. Steve May and Gary Taylor-Fletcher were also on the bench against Charlton but could be used to greater extent for the Cherries visit. Steve May was said to have a virus so did not get any minutes on Saturday, but he is their second highest scorer on three. Stuart Gray also said that the team only has four fit defenders at the moment!

Bournemouth have suddenly seen their clean sheets shattered by shipping two goals against Brighton and there will need to be some repair work in that respect. AFCB's away record is strong and yet Tuesday night's game will be no easy task for the Cherries. How will AFCB set up? Callum Wilson may well have to play up front on his own, but playing two strikers has proved successful of late. If Yann and Brett are both left on the bench it will give Eddie plenty of room for manoeuvre during the second half, and with Pugh and Ritchie starting to get some goals he may feel that there is enough fire power in the team to play with just the single striker.

With another tough away game against Middlesbrough to come, there will be some need not to burn out Callum Wilson. Rantie and Kermorgant are probably the freshest strikers at the moment, but when Eddie plays them is going to be down to his gut feeling of the time being right. Finally, I read that Tommy Elphick sustained an injury against Brighton and so could be a doubt for the Cherries. That means Baily Cargill could get his first Championship start for AFCB. 

I've just had one supporter say he would expect Adam Smith to come in for Elphick. Who would you put at centre back if Tommy can't play? Joe Partington may not be far off a game now either, although this one is too early for him.

Sheffield Wednesday Home Form:
LWDLD

AFCB Away Form:
DDLWW

All Departments podcast is out - Double Albion. Listen back to reviews of the WBA and Brighton match with Michael Dunne. You can listen by going to the All Department's website or by scrolling down Cherry Chimes' panel on the right until you see All Department's soundbar. It's a bumper 1hr 23 min podcast!! Mike Botto is on there as well!!

Can the Cherries trip up Nigel's Reading team?

If QPR's visit to Dean Court was a big game you would have to say that the Reading match now becomes almost a win or bust game for the Cherries. AFCB can't afford to leave anything on the pitch and must now give it their all against a Reading team who are in the box seat for a play-off place. Nigel Adkins will be sweating on this match as he knows even a point would still leave his Reading side as favourite's for the sixth place, but a defeat would not only open the door to Bournemouth but also, Brighton, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest any one of which could snatch that play-off place away from The Royals.

It's so close that goal difference could even come into play. So Bournemouth will need to do all they can in this game with what should be see as an opportunity and not a hurdle as they need a win and more goals. Having beaten Reading at the Madejski stadium earlier in the season, AFCB will be going for the double over The Royals.

But Reading have started to pick up points again a home draw against Huddersfield and an away win against Charlton Athletic has steadied the ship. They have some great players and among them the Cherries have to look to shackle Danny Guthrie who was at the heart of Reading's strong start against the Cherries when they played at Reading earlier this season. Royston Drenthe will be likely to have more minutes against AFCB than he did the last time the team met and Adam Le Fondre is now getting starts alongside Pogrebnyak.

As you will see from the form guide, Reading like playing away and that sends a signal to AFCB to be on their guard. It would be nice to have an extended season but things will need to go AFCB's way against Reading.  

I still feel that AFCB owe Nigel Adkins one for when he brought his Southampton side to Dean Court a couple of years ago (March 2011) and beating us 1-3 and scuppering our season a bit when we were doing so well. But let's face it, I think Harry Redknapp is the only ex-saints manager that most of us AFCB fans can like and we were not going to let his team win at Dean Court. So watch out Nigel - we're coming for you!

Reading Away form
WDWWW

AFCB Home form
DWDWW


It should be a good game tonight and a great atmosphere. Reading have a very strong team and I just hope we get an early goal to get us on our way. For more of my views ahead of tonight's game pop over to The Tilehurst End Blog who have kindly featured Cherry Chimes.  

In return Cherry Chimes invites you to see what the Tilehurst End thinks of tonight's match on Rival Lines.

Cherry Chimes talks to the Tilehurst End Blog

AFCB V Reading
Match Preview
Blogger Interview - The Tilehurst End

Cherry Chimes had the opportunity to quiz the The Tilehurst End about the Royals push for the play-offs and the thoughts of the blog's editor Dan Wimbush on his teams run-in.

CC: We are right at the business end of the season and Reading are in with a play-off shout, but do you think the team secure a top six place and what do you think about the run in of fixtures you have left - some games must stick out as very hard ones?

TTE: Well it's a mixed picture really but in my mind this game is going to be the hardest of our remaining six! After our trip to the South Coast we've got a home games with already promoted Leicester, and a probably promoted Burnley as well as games against teams with probably nothing to play for in Donny, Middlesbrough and hopefully Wigan. As an eternal pessimist I can still seeing us mess it all up but we're in a fantastic position to make the promotion lottery.

CC: Was the Barnsley game just a bad day at the office or do you think it's the pressure building up?

TTE: It was a horrendous day at the office but sadly was just one of a string of woeful home performances that have seen us win just two games in eleven. We really struggle against teams that sit back, which is why our home form is so bad but our away form has been so excellent. We really do have the ability to beat any team on our day and the more open the game the better!

CC: Would you say the majority of Reading fans are pleased with Nigel Adkins?

TTE: I think most fans sympathise with him at this stage because he was clearly sold a vision of the club that's very different to the reality. He set about trying to rebuild the side but the sudden departure of our owner left him with no funds and having to work with Brian McDermott's side who were used to playing a much different brand of football. Throw in a ridiculous injury list and keeping us in the top six has to be seen as a very good effort. Sure he's made the odd baffling decision but he's done well overall.

CC: If Reading get promoted what does Adkins need to do to make the team a stronger outfit at the top level?

TTE: A lot to say the least. The squad is largely made up of players who looked out of their depth last season in the top flight and few have taken significant steps forward. We'd need large scale investment across the pitch to be competitive but the likes of Crystal Palace show that with the right moves you can do it.

CC: Who would you say is the player that is your biggest goal threat at the moment?

TTE: Goal scoring hasn't exactly come easily in recent weeks, with Adam Le Fondre without a goal since January and Pavel Pogrebnyak also struggling in open play. Our midfielders are all chipping in with the odd goal which is nice and I suppose the real positive is that while no one player looks an outstanding threat, you can see just about any of the 10 outfield players scoring.

CC:  Royston Drenthe looked a great player when he came on against the Cherries at the Madejski. He seems to be getting more games for you now but it is surprising to see he only has two goals this season. How is he doing?

TTE: Drenthe had a fantastic August but an injury against Leeds in mid-September coupled with some undisclosed personal problems looked as if they'd see the Dutch winger out of the club with a whimper and without finding the net. Thankfully those issues seem to be behind him now and while he's still not dominating games the way many of us had hoped, he's become a lot more effective, especially away from home.

CC: You battered AFCB for the first 20 minutes or more at the Madejski but got caught with two quick breakaway goals, so what kind of game do you expect at Dean Court?

TTE: That game was typical of most of our home games this season, where we failed to make early pressure count before capitulating to sloppy defeats. We've one just once all season from going behind but likewise haven't lost when we've taken a lead. With that in mind the first goal is going to be absolutely crucial on Tuesday night and if we get it I think we'll have enough to hold on but if we go behind it could get ugly fast for the Royals.

CC: What do you think about your away form this season?

TTE: You can't be unhappy with a campaign that's seen 10 away wins including wins at QPR and Derby. We've not lost away since January and we've played some of our best football on the road this season, if only we could translate that to results at the Madejski Stadium!

CC:  Will it be easy to pick Reading's best player of the season?

TTE: Not really because no one player has had a consistently good season, as lots of players have played well in patches or have been steady but not spectacular. Young full-back Jordan Obita is winning plenty of hearts after his conversion to left-back while goal keeper Alex McCarthy has been outstanding at times. Adam Le Fondre was awesome in January while his strike partner Pavel Pogrebnyak has plugged away all season long and has earned the respect of Reading fans after a difficult first season at the club.

CC:  Are you surprised that Burnley and Leicester are so far ahead of the other teams in the league?

TTE: Yes and no, I don't think either have been amazing to watch but both have just had the consistency to get results where as the rest of us just seem to slip up far too often. There's not much difference between the top eight in terms of ability and potential but the fantastic team spirit at Turf Moor and the ruthless consistency at the King Power look to have seen both of them back to the Premier League.

CC: I had better ask what you think the score will be tonight?

TTE: I'm going for a very nervy and edgy 1-1, I think Bournemouth will come at Reading full steam and we might just catch you on the break. From there it's a big defensive effort from Reading but we can't quite hang on.

CC: Thank you for giving some detailed answers Dan. I know this is a difficult game for both teams and will be one of the crunch fixtures this Tuesday that could define so much of the season, not only for our two clubs but for others as well. It is an eagerly anticipated game by fans of the Cherries and imagine it is equally so among Reading's fans. In many ways I think the match at the Madejski was key in Bournemouth's season and it helped give our side belief. It is fitting that this big match at Dean Court will be an evening fixture and I hope it is a good atmosphere with many travelling fans expected despite it being a mid-week game.

For more news and thoughts on how The Royals are shaping up for this fixture please have a read of the recent reports on The Tilehurst End. Cherry Chimes has also written some answers for The Tilehurst End blog so you could well see some more of my thoughts about tonight's match up on this site at some point later today.

You'll also see that we have put a short snap poll up in the right hand panel to see who just may be the Bournemouth player who is likely to walk off with all the player of the season trophies this year. I've narrowed it down a bit but if your favourite isn't there click the other box!