AFCB have to match Burnley's intensity

Burnley have not survived in the Premier League by just putting up a defensive block or stopping other teams from playing. They are a solid working group of players that have a strong team spirit and high energy that does not make them an easy team to play. I remember Sean Dyche saying that at the end of last season that AFC Bournemouth had shown teams how to survive in the Premier League, and Burnley have added their own element of quality to the high intensity they play with.

Will AFCB come out with the high intensity to take the game away from Burnley?

While the vast majority of Burnley's points have come at home they have enjoyed the underdog tag and have amounted 11 win just like the Cherries. Tom Heaten has been so good in goal that he has had England call ups, and Michael Keane won high praise for his recent appearance in an England shirt against Lithuania. Their midfield is also packed with energy. George Boyd, Scott Arfield, Jeff Hendrick and Johann Berg Gudmundsson have all played a big part in their season and  having played so many games together as a tight-nit group they have great understanding. Even the suspension of Joey Barton has not slowed their progress and Harry Arter and Lewis Cook will have to be at their best for this game.

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Burnley have been brave by playing two up front for most of the season. They have an identity and courage about the way they attack with pace and strength. They don't mind playing a long ball but can also mix play up. What they like above all is to make games a real contest and that is why I find it strange they have not won more points away from home.

Sean Dyche still has to work out the club's best way of getting points on the road but if he can find the answer as he did against Crystal Palace, then Burnley might have an even stronger second season in this league. In some ways this game will be a test for Dyche to see if he can replicate their last away result.

Probable AFCB team: 4-4-1-1 Boruc (GK), A Smith (RB), Francis (CD), S Cook (CD), Daniels (LB), Ibe (RW), Arter (CM), Gosling (CM), Pugh (LW), Mousset (FW), King (FW)

Subs: Allsop (GK), Mings (CD), B Smith (LD), Fraser (RM/LM), Stanislas (LM/RM),
Gradel (LM/FW)

It is very sad news to hear that Paul Willis is no longer with us. I'll miss not seeing him at home and away games. He'll be truly missed. Please all applaud loudly on 44 minutes in tribute to Paul - a great AFCB fan.

Let's give Burnley a bad day at the office

Well the clouds are clearing and it seems we have thumbs up for a game today. If you can't get up for games like these with second place Burnley visiting Dean Court then I can only assume that you are missing out on a lot of fun. But keeping the Clarets out for 90 minutes will be hard work for our players and concentration must be the key. Burnley are not unbeatable and while the Cherries have not been at their very best of late a fixture like this can set the team up for a powerful run in.

Dean Court amazingly passes the 7.30am pitch inspection. Game on!

Sean Dyche has had a great run with his Burnley team and their confidence is up. I thought that they could easily have gone down at Bolton in mid-week just as the Cherries could have, but Burnley fashioned a winner from somewhere. Vokes and Ings are always alert to opportunities and that is why our defenders have to be on their game on Saturday. Ings is simply a menace and will run rings around you if you gift him a chance. AFCB must also cut out the runs on the wings of Scott Arfield,  and Michael Kightly, while Kieran Trippier is also strong when he comes forward. 

AFCB can't be concentrating solely on Burnley's attack. They have to come up with a plan to get behind them and Bolton did manage to get down the wings fairly well against them and their were times when Burnley rode their luck. It is important that Ritchie and hopefully Fraser (but more than likely Pugh) bring their A game while Surman and Arter need to be taking more shots around the box. We have seen that a surprise shot from distance can bring rewards with Grabban's strike last time out and it would be good to see more of that.

Surman could help his contract talks with a few goals.

Andrew Surman has been getting into great position but has still failed to score for the Cherries. His game is more than just trying to get on the goal sheet but it is about time he registered. With McQuoid going to Peterborough and Pitman, Rantie, Kermorgant, Fraser and MacDonald likely to be the attacking options on the bench I do hope AFCB has enough firepower in the starting eleven to cause Burnley some problems. Burnley tend to score more often than not and that means AFCB may need at least two goals to get anything out of this match. 

Get behind the team for 90 minutes!

Anything can happen on the day and perhaps having played in mid-week Burnley will need to make a could of changes which could just help the Cherries cause. AFCB have not yet beaten any of the top five so a win on Saturday would be yet another significant tick in the progress box. Let's give AFCB plenty of support and see if our team play as hard as the weather, halting Burnley in their tracks. Safe journey for all those travelling to the game today.

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