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

Shaun MacDonald will be a good buy for Wigan

Like many AFCB fans I was actually pleased that Shaun MacDonald had agreed to join Wigan Athletic, but it was not out of not wanting him to see him in an AFCB shirt - rather it was a waste to see him not being able to get into the team at Bournemouth. As a senior player to leave the club, it will be a big loss in terms of a player who can help ease new recruits into the Bournemouth way of things, but Eddie Howe has intentionally wanted to build a young squad and some players had to make room for those who were in bound.

Shaun MacDonald has been a brilliant servant for AFCB but it was time for him to move on.

Macca has the kind of respect and temperament that made him a great player to have in and around the team even when he was not on the first 11. It will be interesting to see how the club tries to keep the young talent as well focused as that going forward, especially if there are some difficult times ahead.

There were rumours last week that it could have been Eunan O'Kane that Wigan would be in for, perhaps with fans remembering that FA Cup goal that he scored against them some three seasons ago I believe. Shaun MacDonald was ready to go though and for him I think it is the right decision if he wants to keep playing games. He'll be a wise head in the Championship and Wigan will soon see that he is still capable of getting up and down the pitch and putting himself about.

It's up to others at AFCB though now to fill the space left by players like Macca and Elphick who will have been key in the dressing room and training pitch as much as they were on match days.

Injury news
Kris Temple at BBC Radio Solent has reported that Joe Quigley is out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Gillingham. We wish Joe a swift recovery.

The worst possible kind of start for the Cherries

AFCB have had some quick goals scored against them this season. The Arsenal home game sticks in the memory when the lead was doubled in the period of 72 seconds, but it was rather heart wrenching to see the lads go 1-0 down after just 44 seconds at White Hart Lane last weekend.

Simon Francis and Steve Coook  at White Hart Lane.

The players seemed just as amazed as the fans, but they did not stop trying to play the way the team has all season and that is much to their credit and Eddie Howe's teaching methods. You can drill only so much into a team though and some times they have to stand up to what they face as best they can. I thought all the players were certainly trying their hardest to get some control in the game but Spurs were quicker, stronger and more accurate while their movement was keeping them a step ahead all the time. We have all probably been in games ourselves where you feel you are chasing shadows and that is really how it felt from the start in this game.

AFCB always prepare meticulously for matches. Any team can suffer an early goal. It was the fact that the team found it hard to respond to the first goal, because Spurs were so good that will be more difficult to swallow. The usual rhythm and attacking nature to AFCB's play was simply not allowed to flourish, and when there is no outlet the ball comes back pretty quickly as we saw. Had the team kept a clean sheet and defended well for half an hour it could have become another kind of match where fans thought the big teams are finding it harder to break our back four down. But it wasn't just the back four that was under pressure and the midfield players will have to consider why they could not keep possession for longer periods. I saw Harry Arter trying to understand the instructions he was being given by Eddie to withstand the onslaught, but nothing seemed that clear to understand on the day and the speed of the first goal really destroyed any game plan until the side could come in at half time.

Simon Francis was keen to point out that the players did not want it to be a case of being another chastening experience like the home match when they saw five goals fly past them. It was good that the score did not run up too high. Although at three goals up, Spurs already had what they wanted by then - all the points. AFCB's players do have pride and passion in their performances though and I did see an improved second half performance. Eunan O'Kane and Lewis Grabban were two of the main reasons for that and for players with points to prove this is a good time to get noticed. Let's see if Eunan gets a chance for the Republic of Ireland now that he has the call up.

Loan and International news 
Brandon Goodship has extended his loan at Yeovil Town until the end of the season. While Wales drew with Northern Ireland 1-1, Shaun MacDonald was an unused sub, Ecuador and Paraguay also drew 2-2 but Juan Iturbe was an unused sub and on Wednesday Artur Boruc was an unused sub as Poland beat Serbia 1-0.  Scotland's 1-0 win over Croatia did not involve Matt Ritchie, but he is expected to star on Tuesday against Denmark.

Republic of Ireland play Switzerland today at 19.45 and we hope that Eunan O'Kane is picked to play at Hampden Park.

Eunan O'Kane can put his Everton days behind him

Eunan O'Kane was no doubt hoping that one day he would run out at Goodison as a fully-fledged first team player. His time on Merseyside during the David Moyes years was not all joyous though at the academy and he left in 2009 to join Torquay Utd before being spotted by the Cherries three years later. Eunan has not had too many opportunities in the Premier League but the Cup games have been something for him to look forward to and I'd not be surprised if he puts in a big performance against Everton this weekend. 

Can Eunan play well enough to take the team into the fifth round?

The talented Irish midfielder is a very intelligent player that has been unfortunate to find himself only making 16 appearances for the Cherries so far this season. Half of those appearances have also been as a sub and Eunan has not really had a strong run of games to get his form up. The Norwich away game was perhaps his most disappointing game and he has struggled to get back into the side since. His trademark is his dribbling runs and his scampering running style that usually end with a shot at goal. When he is playing well he can be a real handful for defences and he does like scoring on the big occasions.

To play against Everton is something that would surely mean a lot to Eunan. He was on the bench for the home game this season against the Toffees but he never got on the pitch. As long as Eddie picks a consistent FA Cup side though he will be involved in one of the biggest FA Cup games in AFCB's history and he can settle a fact or two by getting on the score sheet and telling Everton fans that he is a Premier League player now.

Along with Shaun MacDonald, Eunan O'Kane has reason to want more from this season than just a few Premier League appearances and the FA Cup gives these players a dream that can be realised. While Everton are a top team, they are not unbeatable and Eunan O'Kane among others can make a name for himself if he can find some more magic like he did against Wigan back in 2013.

Positivity returns to the Cherries' play

Eddie Howe could not hide his pleasure in seeing how well the Cherries took the game to Liverpool in the Capital One Cup in a night that was never going to be easy for a revamped team. While Liverpool had made a lot of changes they still had quality in those positions and AFCB were playing on the back of two disappointing performances. The challenge was for players to try and press a case for a starting spot in forthcoming games as well as try and get AFCB through to the next round.

AFCB warming up at Anfield.

The way that the side went forward and created chances was much more considered in this match. Having Simon Francis move into a centre back place may have been unusual to see but he coped for the main, and with Tommy Elphick out for a while it does give Howe the option of moving Simon in there when either Cook or Distin need a rest. In some ways I was expecting to see Baily Cargill get the nod for the role, but if Eddie is thinking about playing Francis at centre back in a Premier League game, then I can see why Cargill missed out this time. 

I had also thought that Harry Arter would play and I was equally impressed with what he brought to the team on the night. He worked extremely hard and looked better than some of the others when he was taken off after 70 minutes. He and MacDonald provided a good barrier to Liverpool through the middle, and I felt their performances were what gave the team the basis to push attacks for most of the evening. At times the team found it difficult to get out of their half, but there were no rash decisions and the players were calm in trying to make progress up the pitch when Liverpool pressed high.

The forward positions were perhaps less spectacular for the Cherries on the night. Junior Stanislas showed that he can get in scoring positions but is not taking the chances, while Kermorgant found it difficult to have much influence on the game. I would have preferred to see more of Tokelo Rantie and there was one instance when TK was almost slipped through by Ritchie in the last 10 minutes that would have been testing for Bogdan if only one of the Liverpool defenders had not read the pass. 

So all in all, a positive evening despite the result. The picture on players and positions is changing fast at the moment and there is a bit of choice for Eddie now going into the derby with Southampton. 

Later today I'll post an update on how my two boys and I got on in Liverpool when we went up for the match earlier this week. 

Depleted squad means some players will have to fill holes

The Cherries are fairly well stretched at the moment. They have players that are injured in every section of the team now, and so we may well see players filing in positions that they are slightly less familiar with, and the team will have to change a round a little just to give some players a rest.

We saw that at Man City Matt Ritchie was moved to the left to accommodate Adam Smith on the right wing. While Matt had a good game, I wonder if AFCB will get the best out of him there? The move probably had more to do with what Man City were likely to do than about how AFCB wanted to attack, but as the squad is now being fully-utilised there could be some surprises in where players pop up on the team sheet.

I'm sure it is not how Eddie wants to go about setting up the team. He'd rather pick a side that has the most potential for scoring goals and causing problems for the opposition rather than trying to nullify their threat on goal. Adapting the team too much though is not helpful. A settled side is what everyone will want if results are to pick up. There have not been many occasions when so many positions have been a bit of a question mark, but the injury list is adding to the selection issues and picking the best side is becoming a more difficult part of Eddie Howe's week now.

Joe Bennett is probably itching to play his part on the field on match day
even if he has been a great help already during training. 

It is possible that he might hit upon something that works in training that he can bring into the team, but I'd almost rule out nothing now as he looks for some solutions. It is clear that the utility players are becoming more evident in the team. O'Kane, Smith and MacDonald are getting game time now. Cargill, Bennett, Rantie and Atsu have not yet experienced the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth, but they are probably just seconds away from it now and it is going to be important for them they start well when they do get involved.


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Cherries win through at Deepdale on penalties

Match Description

Preston North End 2 (AET 2) v 2 (AET 3) AFC Bournemouth

Capital One Cup Third Round

Attendance: 5643 (including 263 Cherries)

AFCB were ahead twice in normal time and again in extra time but were pegged back on both occasions by a determined Preston side that took the Cherries all the way to penalties. Adam Federici was the hero saving from Johnson to take the Cherries through to the fourth round 3-2 on penalties.

The 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time before that had been a keenly contested match with Preston giving AFCB a really difficult time coming back with just five minutes to go after a Shaun MacDonald opener and then again when Marc Pugh had put the Cherries 2-1 up in extra time. Hugill and then Johnson scored for Preston. Marc Pugh had handled in the box following a free kick to Preston which gave the Lilywhites there chance to take the game to penalties. Luckily the Cherries survived this scare with Federici pulling off three saves in the shootout, but there will be some tired bodies headed back to the south coast after this one.

AFC Bournemouth named a fairly strong side with only Butcher, Buckley and Surridge from the U21s on the bench and the main 11 was packed with first team regulars Francis, Cook, O'Kane and King. there were nine changes in all from the weekend's game though. I particularly had high hopes for Shaun Macdonald and Christian Atsu who had not seen much action since the start of the season. No Rantie on the bench was probably the biggest surprise, while Joe Bennett was cup tied as he scored the fifth goal in Aston Villa's 5-3 AET win against Notts County in the second round of the cup.

Preston's line up only had last time's goal scorer against Watford Vermijl on the bench but Keane would certainly have to be watched carefully up front.

Teams
AFCB: Federici, Francis, Cook, Cargill, Smith, MacDonald (Gosling 90), O'Kane, Atsu (Tomlin 81), King, Stanislas, Kermorgant (Pugh 81)

Cherries subs: Allsop, Butcher, Buckley, Gosling, Pugh, Tomlin, Surridge.


PNE starting Xl: Pickford, Woods, Clarke, Wright, Cunningham, Humphrey (Vermijl 78), Welsh (Reid 74), Browne, Johnson, Keane, May (Hugill 74)

PNE subs: Kirkland, Vermijl, Smith, Kilkenny, Reid, Brownhill and Hugill.

Macca puts the Cherries 0-1 up  (AFCB tweeted picture).

Match Description
The Cherries played in their home shirts with white shorts. There is about 300 AFCB fans at a guess. Stanislas is the first to shoot at goal but it goes wide.

Francis now blocks a shot. Johnson shoots over! Atsu slips. King has a shot from range that is blocked.

Quarter of an hour gone and no score yet. AFCB are just shading possession. O'Kane plays a ball through to King who shoots from a tight angle but right at the keeper.

Preston are now pressing in the last third, but nothing comes of it. AFCB now win a corner. king tries to connect and his volley is well saved for another corner. This time Stanislas' cross is cleared. Kermorgant gets clattered. Shaun MacDonald has scored on 23 minutes! Macca loops the ball over the back tracking Pickford 0-1.

King attacks now and is into the box. He's past one defender, but his pass does not reach Atsu. Cunningham puts in a cross and it's cleared with Francis who wins a free kick. Kermorgant finds King, square to Atsu. But he loses the ball.

Preston on the attack. The cross comes in and the volley is blocked.

Pickford with a goal kick. Kermorgant's there first. Atsu and Macca. King plays a one two. Preston break. Kermorgant wins the ball back. Stanislas pull back for Francis who shoots but it's blocked for a corner.

It's headed clear. One minute of extra time. It's 0-1 at half time.

Second Half
No changes at the break. Stanislas puts in a low cross but it's cleared. Francis has to head a cross clear. It's Preston coming forward. Humphrey loses control. Stanislas makes a last second tackle, corner to Preston. Clarke goes close heading onto the bar!

Keane does a one two with Johnson who shoots wide!  A big chance for Preston goes begging.
Preston have another corner headed by Wright. Francis clears. King gets a yellow card for a foul on Wright.

Another Preston chance sees the ball loop over the bar. Stanislas with a free kick shoots straight at Pickford. End to end stuff here.

O'Kane loses the ball. AFCB have it back. Atsu and Francis but Pickford collects. AFCB need this second goal. About 25 minutes to go. Cargill looking assured at the back mops up. Expect some subs soon.

Cargill takes the ball off of May. Cherries have a free kick some 40 yards out. Now the Cherries have a throw. Francis' cross is blocked. the game is slowing down.

Keeper comes out to claim in front of King. Smith to O'Kane. MacDonald loses the ball. Humphrey sends in a good cross but it goes out the other side of the box. Double sub for Preston. Stevie May and John Welsh replaced by  Reid on for Hugill on. Atsu shoots over.

King wins a free kick on the edge of the box. It's sent over.15 minutes to go. Humphrey is replaced by Vermijl.

Smith makes a good block. Cherries double sub, Pugh for Kermorgant and Atsu off for Tomlin. Pugh is straight into the action and has a shot that goes wide.

Cook makes a headed clearance. Preston score! Hugill makes it 1-1. What a time to concede! Five minutes to go. 

Smith now on the left. Too long for Pugh. Flag is up for offside. Francis puts in a cross. 

Four minutes of extra time. Macca is down and Gosling is warming up.Gosling is on.

Smith shoots over. Gosling has a free kick. Stanislas kicks it into the keeper's arms.

Reid now wins a corner for Preston. Surely not! Headed away - phew! Extra time.

Extra Time
Federici takes an early through ball. Tomlin loses the ball. Reid and Tomlin can break. Long ball to King is too strong. AFCB in possession. Francis, O'Kane and King, balls out of play. Free kick to AFCB and a yellow card to a Preston player.

Francis hits it and it's deflected. King on the right, Pugh! Goal to AFCB. 1-2 is the score now, AFCB regain the lead.

Pugh makes it 1-2. (AFCB tweeted picture)

Cargill takes a knock but continues. Gosling out to King. O'Kane and King loses the ball. AFCB have another free kick 25 yards out. Tomlin hits the wall. Tomlin wins a corner.

Gosling wins a free kick. O'Kane this time to take. Preston break. Three minutes added on. double save from Tomlin - great saves. Preston attack. Federici clears. Smith has cramp.

Second period of extra time
AFCB have the ball. just thinking how does Gosling do it after that 8.6 miles on Saturday! Tomlin is doing well in midfield. O'Kane down with cramp.

Johnson shoots over. Pugh misses a header but Cargill has the ball. Nine minutes left. AFCB keeping possession and Preston having to foul to get near the ball. O'Kane and Gosling to Francis.

Tomlin finds Pugh, into the box and his shot is deflected for a corner. King volley's wide.

Reid for Preston has a shot that goes over. Cook and Cargill are said to have had the best games according to the AFCB blog - I've hardly mentioned them, eek!

Preston free kick on half way. Ironic cheers. Four minutes left. Strikes Pugh's hand and it's a penalty! I don't believe it. It just bounced up on him. Johnson converts 2-2. Beats Federici to his right.

Two minutes are added on. Smith wins a corner, Cargill shoots but it's cleared.

Full time 2:2 penalties!

The captains are choosing the end and who shoots first
Pens!
Federici saves Keane's penalty to the right side.
Stanislas scores down the middle 1-0 to AFCB
Preston score 1-1
Cook scores 2-1 AFCB
Preston score 2-2
Gosling's penalty is saved
Browne takes a Preston penalty is saved still 2-2
Pugh scores 3-2 AFCB
Johnson for Preston, great save from Federici! That's it.

AFCB are through 3-2 on pens after AET.

AFCB fans may give England a rest this weekend

When I looked through the Matchday programme for AFCB v Leicester and I came to the international games coming up it struck me very plainly that I'd get more out of watching Gibraltar v Rep of Ireland and Georgia v Scotland as a Cherries fan than I would by watching England play San Marino and Switzerland in their Group E Euro 2016 qualifiers. Eunan O'Kane and Matt Ritchie are only two of a number of players though in the Cherries squad that will hope to be involved in international matches. Sadly, we don't quite yet have an England full international player in AFCB's squad, but frankly Hodgson should probably start looking more closely at AFCB's squad. It might slow the slide down the FIFA rankings - well done Wales!

Matt is likely to come up against Artur Boruc on Sunday. 

Certainly Callum Wilson is closing in on a call up if he continues to play as well as he has been doing in the Premier League. Until then it is matches like Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland today that will get me racing home from work to see a game with the prospect of Eunan O'Kane being involved, while even Poland V Germany later than evening should give Artur Boruc lots of shot stopping practise.

While Max Gradel and Harry Arter won't be on international duty there is certainly enough of the AFCB players to see on the international scene. That so many Bournemouth players are now at international level is mind boggling to most AFCB fans who have watched the team in the lower leagues for so many years. We had the odd international player, but never this many playing at the same time and I'm sure the numbers of AFCB players reaching that level is only going to increase. It may make me feel a bit unpatriotic in not reaching for the remote to watch Roy Hodgson's men struggle to find a way to play progressive football, but with so many Cherries on international duty elsewhere, I'm happy to see them do well in their respective national teams.

Eunan O'Kane could make his full Rep of Ireland
debut against Gibraltar. 

Injury update
Tyrone Mings is now expected to be out for up to nine months.

Those that made the 25-man squad will do Cherries proud

AFCB submitted their 25-man squad to the Premier League today and for some there may have been disappointment but in the main the squad picked itself. Those who missed out included Elliot Ward who has not featured a great deal over the summer and of course the injured Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings. Baily Cargill is an additional member of the squad as an U21 player.

Some fans will be certainly pleased that Tokelo Rantie made the cut despite the interest on him going out on loan to other clubs, while Yann Kermorgant was also said to be closed to being loaned out had the Lewis Grabban deal gone through on deadline day. Shaun MacDonald and Junior Stanislas have also made it into the squad, but all these players now have to aim to find their way into the 18 players used on match day and ultimately the 11 starters.

AFCB players are ready to make an impression in the Premier League.

The second squad list at the end of January will hopefully include Mings and Gradel who will be aiming to recover in time, but Elliott Ward is likely to be available for a loan move now to a Championship team or League One team. Eddie's squad may have an extra man in midfield than some teams that are submitted but as the engine room  I'm pleased that this area is well supplied and Josh King will also probably get the opportunity to play on the left wing at times.With Max Gradel being out the team have lost some goals but it puts a bit more incentive on Christian Atsu and Junior Stanislas to put pressure on Ritchie and Pugh. 

I can see all of the strikers getting a chance to play at some point. The possibility of needing pace on the bench may give Rantie and King an edge at times in the manager's thoughts while it will be tight between Kermorgant and Tomlin vying for a chance to come on if Murray and Wilson is Eddie's preferred pairing now up front.

25-man squad plus Cargill

Goalkeepers

01 Artur Boruc, 21 Ryan Allsop, 23 Adam Federici 

Defenders

02 Simon Francis, 03 Steve Cook , 05 Tommy Elphick, 11 Charlie Daniels, 15 Adam Smith,
25 Sylvain Distin, Joe Bennett, Baily Cargill 

Midfielders

04 Dan Gosling , 06 Andrew Surman , 07 Marc Pugh , 08 Harry Arter, 16 Shaun MacDonald,
19 Junior Stanislas, 20 Christian Atsu, 30 Matt Ritchie, 32 Eunan O’Kane 

Strikers

 09 Tokelo Rantie, 13 Callum Wilson ,17 Joshua King , 18 Yann Kermorgant, 24 Lee Tomlin 

 Glenn Murray.

Internationals will be a test for some AFCB players

I was looking down the fixtures for the internationals over the next few days and wondering AFCB player had the hardest task. It isn't an easy call as most of those that have been called up have one match where they are not probably in the favourite team, but there's plenty of football for us to watch even if we might want to have a couple of TVs and computers running at the same time! 

I suppose Shaun MacDonald is not expecting to get on the pitch for Wales unless Aaron Ramsey or Joe Ledley pick up an injury. But I do believe Wales have the toughest matches of this batch of internationals and Euro 2016 qualifiers with an away tie against Cyprus tonight and a home match against Israel on Sunday afternoon. It will be a magical time for wales if they can secure qualification with these games for a major tournament and Shaun will be hoping he get some minutes and I'm sure he'll play a part in encouraging other to perform well.

There'll be a lot of pressure on Josh King as well in the Group H Euro 2016 qualifies as Norway are only in third place behind Italy and Croatia. They failed to beat Azerbaijan in their last outing and that caused Norway to lose ground in the group. Josh got 79 minutes in that match and should be a name on the starting sheet for the Bulgarian match tonight. A harder game will be the Croatian fixture in Norway on Saturday afternoon.

Tokelo Rantie is also likely to be involved today in South Africa's Cup of Nations match against Mauritania at 20.00hr. It could be a great chance for him to bag a few goals.

Artur Boruc is out to ruin Matt Ritchie's weekend.

Friday's games though are also well worth checking out with Artur Boruc really likely to be in the firing line against Germany. He probably will be looking forward to Sunday too when he is likely to be in goal against Matt Ritchie in Scotland's team. I think the Scotland v Poland game will decide much of what happens in Group D with Poland currently leading the table. Scotland need to beat Georgia first but I can see them giving Artur Boruc some problems at the weekend too.

I'd hope that Eunan O'Kane can get on against Gibraltar for the Republic of Ireland on Friday and that could happen if the goals start flying in and Martin O'Neill wants to rest players for the Georgia match on Sunday.

With two AFCB keepers in action I'm hoping they keep some clean sheets.

That just leaves Adam Federici who will be adding a few air miles by playing down under in World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh today and then against Tajikistan on Monday. Maybe he has the hardest few days ahead of him - nasty! Good luck to all AFCB players on international duty - come back safely!

Games to look out for
Today
Cyprus v Wales 19.45
Bulgaria v Norway 19.45
Australia v Bangladesh 10.00 (I might just be working!)
Mauritania v south Africa 20.00

Friday
Germany v Poland 19.45
Georgia v Scotland 17.00
Gibraltar v Rep Ireland 19.45

Saturday
Wales v Israel 17.00
Norway v Croatia 17.00

Sunday
Poland v Gibraltar 19.45
Scotland v Germany 19.45
Rep or Ireland v Georgia 19.45

Monday 
Tajikistan v Australia  14.00 (again I'll be at work - sorry Adam!)

Surman can master midfield in Premier League

So far we have not seen AFCB move to bolster the central midfield position and the importance of Andrew Surman to the Cherries cause next season is likely to be critical. I say that as he has the ability to set the tone for performances and he has the knowledge of what it is like playing the top teams, and the pressure that the Cherries will need to rise above if they are to be successful.

Andrew has played a fairly full season for the Cherries in the past two campaigns and it is no coincidence that his steady control of games has helped other players to really shine. What AFCB will have a problem with is if he has to miss a period of next season through injury. Whether Eddie Howe uses Eunan O'Kane, Dan Gosling or Shaun MacDonald in that position I don't see AFCB playing with as much confidence as when Andrew is just keeping the play ticking over and his ability to keep the ball is going to be an even bigger requirement for AFCB than it has been. He's also built up a great understanding with Harry Arter and while Harry has been injured, Surman still gives the team impetus to carry the attack to teams.

Andrew Surman is likely to play a main part
of any success that AFCB enjoy in 2015-16

As the players' choice for player of the season, you could say us fans are perhaps missing something about Surman's game that the team is well aware of. It was critical that Surman decided to come back to the Cherries at the start of last season and I believe his form is vital to Eddie's plans going forward. There may still be a need for a different kind of central midfield player to be signed, but I don't expect AFCB to change much around the player that they know can boss games and give the team the calm quality of making match play  look just like another training session.

I know that a lot of places will be up for grabs at the start of next season. Yet, keeping Surman at the heart of the team is something I don't expect to change if AFCB want a successful start to the new season.

AFCB U21 Update 
With Elliott Ward and Ryan Allsop joining the Development squad for the friendly match against Salisbury there was plenty of hope for a victory, but the Cherries went down to a 2-1 defeat. Harry Cornick did catch the eye though in the first half with AFCB's goal. Salisbury fought back though striking twice in the second half on 66 minutes and on 80 minutes. Filippo Costa also made his debut for the Cherries.

AFCB TeamAllsop, Muleba, Ward, Zubar, Costa, Matthews, Wakefield, Butcher, Walsh, Green, Cornick

Jordan Green who played for AFCB has also signed a one-year deal for the Cherries.

AFCB need to stay a forward thinking club

It still gives me a terrific buzz just looking back at some of the videos and pictures of AFCB's fantastic run in and deep down there is something inside that says this is going to be the start of something really good. The players look very hungry to achieve more and I can imagine that when the first goal goes in for the Cherries in the Premier League, the TV cameras will be red hot with the celebratory scenes. But I know that the success has come because The Cherries have been a forward thinking club and it will have to stay that way to do well at the next level.

While there is a summer to get through before AFCB can kick that first ball in the Premier League there will be a lot of work going  into the job of trying to keep the momentum going. The signings that the club make will go a long way in building the excitement along with the pre-season games capturing an even greater buzz of expectation as we get nearer to 8th August. There will not be too long to reflect on what has been achieved. It has been amazing and we have to be thrilled for what the players have achieved, but it is important that they don't feel overawed by the task ahead and feel ready to beat the teams at the next level. It is going to be strange seeing those fixtures next Wednesday but AFCB has to be ready for the challenge.

A good team spirit and hard work has taken the Cherries a long way.
Will the additions of Atsu, King and Federici add much improvement to the team? 

Knowing that Eddie Howe is there to help them push on even further is all that I believe the players will need to excel in the Premier League. You can tell that by the way that Simon Francis recently spoke about Eddie and what he means to them all. Steve Cook was just as enthusiastic for his manager and I hope that Eddie can achieve all he wants to by staying at AFCB for many seasons yet.

Next season will be all about establishing the club at this new level. After that it won't be any easier if AFCB survive their first Premier League season as other clubs will be looking at what progress has been made at Dean Court and looking to see if they can attract any players or even Eddie and Jason to a new challenge. I think a lot will depend on what Maxim Demin wants to do with regards to building the club and sorting out the best way of making the stadium right for the Premier League. If AFCB can provide the kind of forward momentum that make it a centre of excellence for football then we have seen with some other clubs that you can grow in the Premier League even if you are a new member to the group.

Finally, good luck to both Shaun MacDonald in Wales Euro qualifier against Belgium and Josh King who is in the squad for Norway v Azerbaijan.

Championship sides to eye Lee Camp and other AFCB players?

The gossip has all been about who AFCB will be bringing in this season and while seven players have left the club there is more than a fair chance that some bids could come in from teams in the Championship that are looking to attract one or two of AFCB's players who have not been regular starters for the Cherries in 2014-15. So who would that include? 

Is Lee Camp off to pastures new?

Well I believe that teams like Burnley, Reading, Wolves, Brighton, Bolton and Charlton might be among those making big efforts to get up in 2015-16 and they may have targets such as Elliot Ward, Shaun MacDonald, Brett Pitman, Junior Stanislas, Eunan O'Kane, Adam Smith, Ryan Fraser, Bailey Cargill and Lee Camp who is already said to be on Bristol City's radar. I am sure that Eddie Howe will want to keep such players as he has built up a strong group with a winning mentality, but as a few signings come in for the Cherries it will become increasingly clear which players are going to be under pressure to get into the squad for the start of next season.

Some AFCB players will have to try and persuade
Eddie Howe that they deserve their spot in the 25-man squad.

I am sure that all of the above mentioned players can play in the Premier League, but AFCB are usually very aware that if they can balance the books with some player sales it makes sense to do so, if those players have more chance of improving their careers through another route elsewhere. While we have heard that Premier League clubs are said to have been watching Harry Arter, Callum Wilson, Matt Ritchie and Steve Cook and probably Simon Francis too, I can't see any of them leaving at this point unless substantial sums are offered as they are the nucleus of the Cherries winning side and AFCB have been clever to sign most on long contracts. 

There is also the possibility of loan signings out of the club as well when Eddie Howe feels he knows his 25 players that will be his squad for the Premier League.

All Departments has also released a summer podcast which features former Cherry Wade Elliott. To listen visit All Departments' website or scroll down the right side panel on Cherry Chimes until you can click on the All Departmets' soundbar.

O'Kane is perfect for Premier League

Eunan O'Kane has not had the biggest of seasons and he'll know very well that he has had some bad luck in 2014-15 even if the team has done exceptionally well. I advise you now though to think what this young Irishman might do in the Premier League if he gets his chance. Eunan was a big star in his first Championship season and he was magnificent at times playing in front of the back four and it is that very position that could be crucial against the high pressing top six teams in the Premier League that AFCB will be looking to take on not that long in the future.

Eunan will know that he has to battle harder for a place next season.

AFCB will not find it as easy to keep possession for quite as long in games next season, especially against some of the very best teams in the Premier League. While Eddie Howe will look to keep on the front foot and take games to the opposition there will be times when the defence needs more protection than it had in the Championship. Eunan won't be the only player after that position though and Dan Gosling will be another that surely will want to have a bigger season than he personally had at the club in 2014-15.

Defence will be the area where AFCB have to make the biggest improvement. Pretty much every team that the Cherries play will have internationals in every position and so there will be no hiding places. It has been hard to see past Andrew Surman and Harry Arter in the last nine months but a five-man midfield may just be the way Howe decides to go for a few more games in the Premier League and there will be intense competition for the extra place in the middle with Shaun MacDonald also hoping to play more games.

Eunan has a habit of playing well against the
big teams as he scored against Wigan in the FA Cup a
couple of seasons ago and against WBA in the
Capital One Cup last season.

What hindered Eunan last season was an injury against Watford in a home match. While we did see him warm up in several games towards the end of the season he never really got a spell in the team during the promotion run and if he does get into the team early next season I can see him having a big season.

The game he'll be looking forward to the most I expect is when AFCB play away to Everton at Goodison Park. He will have shown that he was good enough to have stayed at Everton having now matured into a Premier League player and I really hope he does play in that fixture and gives former Wigan boss Roberto Martinez yet another headache.

Sky presenters get to work at AFC Bournemouth (videos)

There was plenty of fun and a few jobs for Sky presenters Jim white and Natalie Sawyer at Dean Court before the Middlesbrough match. I got down to the ground early as I knew they would be around and I wanted to see whether the banter that we often see on screen is the same when they would be meeting the fans and hopefully doing some work to keep AFCB bringing in the cash.

It started  out as a friendly competition to puts some names and numbers on the back of shirts. 

Jim was rather chuffed with his Scottish McRitchie shirt.

Natalie was taking it very seriously and wanted to do a good
 job especially with Jim trying to put her off.

Natalie's turn to make Callum Wilson's shirt.

The Sky Bet Transfer Fund had arranged for Jim and Natalie to be job transferred from their TV studio to the ground as a way of meeting some of the fans and helping out on match day. I caught up with the two presenters as they were heading for the club shop. Jim was keen to get his hands on a McRitchie shirt following the call up for AFCB's new Scottish international squad member who will hopefully get to play in the Euro 2016 qualifiers now. So Barry in the shop got Jim to work on the shirt press to see if Jim could get the letters on straight and Jim managed to keep his yellow tie safe from danger and was quickly bragging about what a great job he had done, before Nathalie got her chance to make a Callum Wilson shirt. I am not to sure if she was confident when she heard the number she had to put on the shirt was  number 13, while Jim was doing everything he could to put her off asking if she had printed 31.

The two presenters moved on to selling some merchandise on the front till, although the queue was building quickly with the long conversations that were now taking place as everyone wanted to have a chat with the likable presenters, while Jim was cracking jokes all the time and putting smiles on faces.

Behind the till in the shop

Serving customers.

Natalie was drawing in the crowds outside.

Jim was also getting lots of photos taken.

Outside Natalie was certainly getting a lot of attention as she did a bit better at selling the Matchday programmes than Jim. The male fans were keen to get a few selfies with Natalie who was more than happy to oblige as long as she out sold Jim which was never really a problem for her.

Natalie is much in demand.

Jim goes close!

I also managed to have a word with Jim and Natalie and thanked them on behalf of our competition winners as Sky Bet had given us three pairs of tickets in the end to give away to AFCB fans for the Middlesbrough match which proved to be a big hit.

At half time the two presenters also had a go at hitting the cross bar, but I think they both need to spend a bit more time on the training pitch before they have another go in front of the crowds.

AFCB International watch Finally, well done to Shaun MacDonald in coming on for Wales yesterday in the 84th minute to help see Wales get a 0-3 away win against Israel.

Injuries are not what AFCB need now

The match against Middlesbrough came at the end of another hard period of games for AFCB. It was not great to see both Callum Wilson and Marc Pugh limp off the field towards the end of the game but a lot can happen in 13 days and it will be interesting to see whether either of them make it back to be fully fit for the Ipswich match. 

Marc Pugh will have to recuperate over the
international break to get his ankle better. Eddie Howe said
 it was an impact injury and should not be a long term problem..

If not then we could see a change to the strike force for the Portman Road game, while Ryan Fraser is possibly the most likely stand in for Pugh. It is going to be a period of time now when AFCB just have to wait and see how their players come through the international matches and who is going to be available. 

I saw that Southampton lost Fraser Forster in their game against Burnley but thankfully the Saints cannot recall Artur Boruc at this stage of the season. Artur himself will be involved in Poland's international against the Republic of Ireland and could go face to face with Harry Arter. Meanwhile, Matt Ritchie will also hopefully come through unscathed from his time with the Scottish squad while Shaun MacDonald also has a call up for Wales.

I can't remember a recent period when so many of AFCB's players have had call ups. Even Bailey Cargill will be playing for England's U20s and Benjamin Buchel is with the Liechtenstein
squad. It has been a great time for Bournemouth players and you can start to understand why fans of other clubs get nervous around this time when their players are involved in internationals. It will probably mean that I will take more interest in the friendlies and Euro 2016 qualifiers just because I'll want to see how well the AFCB players do, but I kind of also feel that the internationals are a bit of a hindrance at such a crucial stage of the season.