No Simeon and Josh out of action

So Simeon Jackson chose to go to Eintracht Braunschweig of the Bundesliga instead of the Gladsands Stadium. You can't win them all. I only pray that there are some back up options or we could be in trouble.
There was a feeling that the defence was most in need of bolstering for this coming season as AFCB were exposed when the had some injuries last season. Up front we were the highest scoring team in League One and so you can't say that we have been toothless in the striker department.
Now though there are some problems. Apart from Pitman I am not sure that the fans are confident that any one else in the team is capable of getting 20 goals for AFCB in the Championship. Such strikers cost a lot of money, something we may have but can't afford to do with the Financial Fair Play Rules. We are left with the players we have at the club and if we can't get them firing there is no doubt that we will struggle.

Josh McQuoid was going to be tried up front but now that option has gone for the first few weeks of the season. So Grabban, Thomas, Tubbs and Stockley have to show their worth. If they are not good enough then we will find out soon enough. Eddie Howe knows what is required at the Championship level and I am pretty sure he will be looking for more talent if he still feels he needs another striker that has a better potential for more goals. Over to you Eddie.

UTCIAD for AFCB players taking on Bashley tonight.

Are you happy with AFCB's preparations for the Championship?

We are now more than half way through the summer and the window is slowing starting to move towards the backward end, as clubs step up their transfer business ahead of the start of the new season. AFCB has already made some new signings with the defence being bolstered in particular, but are you happy with the business so far?

The Cherries have not yet signed a striker although there is speculation of the club looking to bring a player in. Is it essential that AFCB signs another striker? Are you convinced that Grabban and Pitman will be the main strike partnership to mount the Cherries challenge next season? With some of the other leading Championship sides picking up ex-Premiership strikers in the shape of Grant Holt (see Rival Lines) and Noel Hunt at Leeds Utd, we do perhaps look a little shy in our options up front. That is if Wes Thomas is made to do some gardening leave and Matt Tubbs is left to stew on the bench having not moved this summer. However, no one has signed the class of Matej Vydra who was the class act last year in the Championship, along with Glenn Murray at Crystal Palace.

So have we enough fire power up front? The likes of Jay Bothroyd are available on free transfers as well as Simeon Jackson. The clock is ticking but more bargains may yet arise for Eddie Howe as we move towards the end of July. It is important to make the right signings that add to the squad's potential and that fit in well with those already at the club. I still have my fingers crossed for a new young striker taking to the field for AFCB in a few weeks time, but are you less expectant than me?

The Echo has just signalled that Mohamed Coulibaly, a Senagalese player could be on his way to the Cherries (another right side midfield player).

Chances of Simeon Jackson at AFCB are HIGH

SKY News has been reporting that Simeon Jackson is available as a free transfer after leaving Norwich City and AFCB are said to be in prime position to sign the 26 year-old striker. AFCB have made no secret of looking for players who can add quality and Simeon, a Canadian international player, would be a major coup ahead of many of the other Championship sides looking to improve their forward line.

The news of the Cherries tracking Simeon is expected to quell any further rumours about Danny Ings. Both players are good at stretching defences by running the lines and Jackson could be a suitable replacement/back up for Lewis Grabban.

Cherry Chimes is encouraged that this rumour may just be one to follow closely.