Tubbs needs to get his form back at the Millers

I expect many of you have not forgotten about Matt Tubbs who is up in Rotherham and trying to make an impact on their team. Matt is on loan at Rotherham until the end of January and the move was no doubt designed to give Matt more playing time opportunities and to recover some of his goal scoring form. 

While the Millers have been finding life in League One more than okay, Matt has been battling to get minutes on the pitch. He has not scored yet from what I can see since his time at Rotherham. Matt did get 62 minutes against Brentford in the last league match, but had just one shot on target according to the Miller's website. He has also had starts against Shrewsbury, Crawley and Preston back in August, but many of his appearances of late have been as a sub for either Agard or Revell. 

Steve Evans knows Matt Tubbs' game inside out and you have to say if Steve can't get Matt scoring then it may not have been the best move for Matt. He still has more than three months to make an impression at the Millers, but if Evans is not setting up his team to play in a way that would suit Matt it is likely that he will only be used as a sub. Matt's stats for the season stand at three shots on target and five appearances as sub. He has some work to do.

While it many not seem to matter to AFCB fans that Matt is not getting as many minutes as he might and is not scoring bucket loads of goals, we should remember that he will come back to the Goldsands stadium at the end of January and will be training again with the Cherries. It would be good to have a confident and happy Matt back with us and not one that is questioning himself and his abilities. Whether Eddie Howe decides to look for another loan move for the striker or not remains to be seen, but unless Matt's form picks up it is unlikely that many clubs will make a significant bid for him and Bournemouth still have a long contract on him.

AFCB is a Championship-ready outfit - no doubt

Yesterday's great 0:3 win against Shrewsbury Town was not just a vital win for the Cherries it was a great one that showed the teams ability to execute instructions to a very high level and basically play the other team off the park.

This is no longer the team that stuttered and misfired so badly at the start of the season under Paul Groves and Shaun Brookes. Now it is a devastating, Championship-ready, outfit that may well have potential to reach even higher heights under the calm and methodical approach of Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall.

Yes there are at least two more games for the Cherries to attempt to win before we can see if they really are ready to make that step up of a division, but I see no wavering of the team's intent or ability to succeed. 

It was somehow pleasing to hear the BBC Solent team saying that they were seeing yet another professional display from the Cherries yesterday without ever feeling that the result was headed anywhere other than to another AFCB win. It wasn't even half time, but the manner of Bournemouth's play is at such a high level at the moment that there are few teams that can live with it in League One.

The recent run has more than proved that they are the best team in League One on current form and even if the unthinkable happened and they did slip up, or if they are pipped to automatic promotion by goal difference, you get the feeling that they would blow anyone away in the play-offs. And yet only a few games ago they could not beat any of their main rivals at home. I think the missing players of Daniels and Elphick had a lot to do with the 'wobble' of five games, but now that they are back in the team everything is complete.

What a master signing Matt Ritchie has been as well. His signing has underlined the belief that the Cherries are headed to the Championship.You can also say the signing of Brett Pitman was a masterstroke and his goal record of late has been a revelation that is pulling the team up to where it wants to be.

In his post-match interview on the Shrewsbury game it was clear that Eddie Howe was very pleased with how the team is working and their attitude. He keeps stating that this is a young team and is still learning so we can expect even more from them in the future. I am hoping that we will see some of that on Saturday when the home crowd will create an electric atmosphere for this team that stands on the verge of making history. 

Rather than being a burden for the players and the club, everyone seems to be excited and pushing forward to reach our goal. The Cherries just seem to be getting stronger and stronger.

One AFCB fan tweeted how they just wanted the next two weeks to fly by and see where Bournemouth are at the end of the season. But I want to enjoy this moment. Yes, we are agonisingly close and things could be cruelly taken away from us on the last day of the season, but there is something special about what has been created at this club now. 

We all know that the team can do it and the opposition could well falter in the next few days. I don't think there have been many better times to be an AFCB supporter than this. We are living the dream! 

Cherries win in style at Shrewsbury to stay second

Match Description

Shrewsbury Town  0 v 3  AFCB

13 April 2013

New Meadow Stadium Attendance: 6047
(including 935 very happy Cherry fans)

Picture courtesy of Paul McCann

Nothing comes easy to those who don't deserve it, but AFCB's players are really turning on the style in their pursuit of automatic promotion to the Championship. This team has "a steely determination" in the words of Eddie Howe's post-match comments. Indeed, the character that they are showing during this run-in is quite outstanding and if they are under pressure they are hiding it extremely well.

For the 935 Cherry fans who made the trip to the New Meadow Stadium this was a match that many would have been worried about but nerves were quickly settled.

A swirling wind and a bobbly pitch greeted the two teams who would surely find it difficult to play controlled football in such conditions. Shrewsbury were not without their goal threats but getting the opportunity to have a shot at Bournemouth's goal was going to be a difficult task. 

Both teams set up 4-4-2, with one striker dropping back when the other team had the ball. But before any pattern could be established, Bournemouth broke the deadlock. Pugh passed to Pitman and  went for the return in the Shrewsbury box, but was up ended by John Taylor.

Pitman stepped up and simply put the Cherries 1:0 up from the spot. The keeper dived well and early but had no hope of saving it. That's 7 goals in 7 games for Brett! And just five minutes had elapsed on the clock.

Taylor had the first header for Shrewsbury at Allsop's goal but Rocky, as he is known by his team mates, took it okay. Grabban was soon caught offside for a second time, but AFCB were getting into their playing mode. Quick passing and some great understanding between O'Kane and Grabban on the left was opening Shrewsbury up.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury were trying to get the ball forward to Eaves quickly and at the back Cook and Elphick had to be mindful of the uneven pitch.

Morgan and Summerfield were usually battling well in midfield for the Salops and getting Richards on the ball who won a corner early on.

Richards was becoming a threat sending a cross in for Morgan who got in front of Allsop, but thankfully he was offside. There was a bit of a panic in the Cherries defence for a moment but such instances would be rare.

Pitman was getting his sights in having an early shot from 30 yards out, but wide left of the target. O'Kane then made a good run through the centre and Grabban went down, but did not complain. Ritchie was also seeing a lot of  the ball on the wing as the Cherries tried to break down Shrewsbury's offside trap.

Grabban was the main target for O'Kane and Arter. Pugh was also trying to beat Hurst on the left as Bournemouth tried both wings. 

The referees' slip caused a big laugh with 20 minutes on the clock gone.

Shrewsbury's chances were gone in a blink of an eye with Morgan doing the best work in looping a ball towards the penalty spot, looking for Taylor on 27 minutes, but Bournemouth soon saw it clear.

It was Pitman who missed a golden chance of a volley, when the two Shrewsbury centre halves left the ball for each other, on the six yard line - it was "astonishing that Pitman did not connect,'' said Willo.

But AFCB were playing with a good shape and the right kind of passes being played, according to the Radio Solent duo.

Both teams were squeezing up as they play in the middle in a 20 yard section. Eaves was going wide on the left now but Francis was always hounding him. Shrewsbury were keeping possession better, but were not making much forward progress. 

Bournemouth were well in control and has not really made a save. The problem in recent weeks has been in getting 2:0 up for the Cherries. Still, it was evident that there was a distinct gap in quality between the two sides.

Half time


A quick glimpse at the table as it stood at that time. Hey, it's looking good!

                      P   GD  Pts
Cherries        44  19    79
Doncaster     44  17   79
Brent            43   15   75
Sheff U         42   17   73
Yeovil T        43   14   72
Swindon T    43   30   68

AFCB were playing towards travelling support in second half like they do so often at home. Ritchie was tripped early on by Jacobson.

Elphick then tried a ball over the top but it caught wind and went out before Grabban could get to it. Bournemouth were turning the screw with quick passing now, Arter to Pugh, Daniels to Arter who burst into the area, but Grandison got across to usher the ball out for a corner. 

Morgan and Somerfield played the ball wide to Hurst on the byline and his cross header to Richards to send the ball goal bound, before Cook cleared from underneath it right on the line. It could have been a different story if that had gone in!

However, a few moments later, on 53 minutes, Pugh on half way found Pitman who thumped his long range shot into the far corner of the goal. He curled quite it effortlessly into the top left corner when Arter admitted, after the game, that he was hoping Brett would not shoot from there. A wonder goal by all accounts!

By this time Bournemouth fans were singing the 80's hit "Nah, nan na nan na nah, Baby give it up, but with Bournemouth are going up! instead as the words. Aren't you lucky you can't hear me sing it?

The game was lost for Shrewsbury and the points were going south.

On 57 minutes Asante came on for Morgan.

Bournemouth were playing at a casual pace now and before you knew it Pitman's flick across goal from Arter's cross had Grandison scrambling as the ball came off a combination of him, the post and the bar for the Cherries to go 3:0 up on 62 minutes. 

Summerfield than came off for McAllister on 63 minutes.

Ritchie picked up a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, but not much worried Bournemouth in the remaining minutes. Jacobson's shot on turn that fell to Mambo was their best chance but Mambo put his effort wide. 

Goldson came on for Gradison on 74 mins. Lewis Grabban was also subbed for Hughes on 76 minutes. 

Asante was lively for Shrewsbury, but the contest was well over by now. Pugh came off for McQuoid with 6 minutes left. 

AFCB fans could now singing Oleah, Oleah, Oleah as Bournemouth's passes mounted up. Francis had a last gasp chip to the back post it did not quite find McQuoid. Had he seen Pitman it might have been a hat-trick for Brett although he still tried to claim the ball after the match any way, as  he disputed the own goal.

O'Kane came off for Shaun MacDonald in the final minutes as Bournemouth recorded their record 7 club wins in a row.

Summary
Man of the match had to be Brett Pitman. Jermain Dofoe's consecutive Bournemouth goal record is now under real threat. Eddie Howe summarised that the early goal helped settle any nerves today. "The second goal from Brett was also a great finish....''

Eddie was really pleased with the team's performance though: "We kept the ball well on a really difficult surface.The wind was not too much of an issue, but the pitch was really crusty in the middle. We were aware of it and you make sure the players take no unnecessary risks,'' he said.

He felt that we had made it difficult for ourself in recent weeks by having to hold on to 1-nil leads. 

''This was another clean sheet away from home and the second record we have tied this season,'' Howe noted. ''But we hope to go one better next week,'' he said.

Howe added: ''It's great to win by a bigger win than our past games. We could also give some of the players a rest late on today.'' 

"They are a good group, young and with their feet on floor..... But we are aware that a lot of teams are snapping at our heels,'' he stressed. 

Cherries:
Allsop, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, O'Kane, Pugh, Grabban, Pitman.

Subs: Jalal, Seaborne, MacDonald, Hughes,Fogden, McQuoid, Tubbs.

Shrewsbury Town:
Weale, Grandison, Jacobson, Summerfield, Richards, Morgan, Taylor, McGinn, Mambo, Eaves, Hurst.

Subs: Anyon, Purdie, Goldson, McAllister, Wilding, Asante.

AFCB are out to cut down the Shrews

Shrewsbury Town have recently picked up their form in a strong bid to stave off relegation from League One. They have had impressive victories in recent weeks against Crawley Town at home and away at MK Dons. Here's another one of those too often used phrases, "there are no easy games in this league".

It is against the top sides where Shrewsbury have come up a bit short though of late losing out by the odd goal. They have fallen at home to Leyton Orient, Doncaster, Sheffield Utd and Swindon but they have not been well beaten by many sides this season.  Shrewsbury's indifferent home form has seen them fall to the bottom quarter of the form table for home games. 

In the reverse fixture in November the Cherries secured a 2:1 victory over the Shrews and something similar on Saturday could take AFCB back to the top of the table. 

Shrewsbury were in good shape in their last home fixture with striker Tom Eaves scoring all three against Crawley and Shrewsbury rarely fail to score at home. That of course was a much needed win with the threat of relegation, but now that the Shrews have a bit of a breathing gap they will perhaps not play as expansively against a top team like AFCB at home.

Goals have been pretty evenly spread around the Shrewsbury team with striker Marvin Morgan on 7 along with midfielders Mathew Richards and John Taylor, while Tom Eaves is just behind on 6. Stephen McGinn scored his second goal this season for the club last time out in the 2:1 defeat against Yeovil.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth's away form is currently the third best in the league behind Sheffield Utd and Coventry over the last six away games. They will be out to try and make automatic promotion more than a possibility as they look to extend the gap on the chasers.

I get the feeling this is going to be a close one with only a goal between the two sides. If AFCB go out prepared to attack in their confident manner of late they should be able to keep Shrewsbury's keeper more than busy, so I am gong for a 1:2 away win.

Bournemouth will set another club record of seven wins in a row in the league if they can beat Shrewsbury on Saturday. 

Safe journey to all those travelling to the game. UTCIAD!

Congratulations, by the way, to Brett Pitman in being announced Npower League One player of the month today.

Shrewsbury Home Form: DLWLLW
Cherries Away Form: WLLWWW

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