Cherries target of first away win 2017

While the Cherries have had some relative success away from home in getting draws at places such as Man Utd and Liverpool, it has not been the glorious sight of three points that we have seen yet in 2017 in an away match. Eddie Howe certainly won't want that wait to extend to next season, so he needs to get the Cherries in sharp form for the remaining away games, and Sunderland is undoubtedly the best chance of getting a win.

Then again we have seen AFCB struggle at times against the bottom teams away from home. It has been a source of headaches for Eddie Howe and it must be maddening for him that he has not yet managed to come across a selection that has worked more beneficially. Two up front is how he has headed into most of these games and with Afobe and King both scoring regularly it is strange that the away form has been patchy. We have to go back to defeat against Hull City to see that the teams at the foot of the table are willing to risk everything to win games now. AFCB were up 0-1 in just a few minutes in that game, but they fell back into protection mode and were blown away by the Tigers energy and desire. It was not the formation but the defence as a whole that was not functioning well.

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Now Eddie has his regular defenders back and although Francis and Steve Cook played against the league leaders and Spurs, the two have not been on the pitch together when the Cherries faced Hull City, WBA or Everton. Whether the two central defenders can continue their recent run of clean sheets is probably the big question with Jermain Defoe lining up against them. It was Victor Anichebe hat was the problem at Dean Court though and Cook and Francis could not stop him on that day. They have to find a way of halting Sunderland's number 28 this time around.

Anichebe's physicality was a headache for the Cherries

Right from the opening minutes against Sunderland it was clear that the slight frame of Jermain Defoe was not going to be alone. Indeed, Victor Anichebe was going to be right alongside him and became a battering ram to pin back the Cherries back line, as Sunderland sought their first win of the season.

Simon Francis will have been disappointed
on his part in the first Sunderland goal.

Anichebe was involved in both of Sunderland's goals which kind of points to the fact that AFCB just didn't get to grips with hi on the day. That he also played the second half with a cracked rib, shows the strength of the man, as he was still making Adam Smith bounce off him some five yards in the final minutes. For a big man, he also had a good touch and could turn Simon Francis with relative ease before firing into the top of AFCB's net. I was intrigued why Simon Francis had his arms up to complain when the goal went in as he could really only blame himself for allowing Anichebe to get the space necessary to get a shot in. Perhaps the initial ball in from Jermain Defoe could have been stopped, but once a striker is in the box with his back to goal the defender has to stop him from turning.

The second goal was a bad moment for Adam Smith although again the ball might have been cut out before it reached Anichebe in the box. But the striker's strength and determination to get in front of Adam Smith is what made the goal. It is noticeable that both Middlesbrough and Sunderland had a big man up front that AFCB found difficult to cope with in their last two games. While Negredo did not score for Middlesbrough he also helped pin the central defenders back. Steve Cook and Simon Francis are still coming up against different strikers each weekend and will have to find ways of meeting the challenge of these big, powerful forwards.

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Visiting Stoke will be no less of a physical test. Everyone is scrapping for points and only Swansea and Crystal Palace are on a worse run than AFCB at present.

Adam Smith was close to England call up

Both the Sunday Express and the Mirror believed that Adam Smith was on the edge of an England call up for Gareth Southgate's squad to face Scotland. It all depended on if there were to be injuries to either Karl Walker and Nathanial Clyne, but they came through their respective games unscathed.

Considering that Adam Smith has only claimed the right back starting spot half way through last season for AFCB, it is quite a fast-track rise that he has been on. The former-Millwall and Spurs defender has been an industrious player for the Cherries at right back and his ambition to always get forward has clearly been noted. I saw Sammy Lee, England's assistant manager, in the stands on Saturday and while I dd not quiz him on who he was watching it appears that Jack Wilshere and Adam Smith were the ones most on his radar. Jack has been recalled and will surely feel that he has made good progress while being at AFCB.

A few words of advice for Adam Smith.

While Adam Smith has not won any of the AFCB player of the month awards so far he has been nominated this last month and has been an ever-present starter for the Cherries this season. Adam certainly came up against a real handful in Victor Anichebe on Saturday. He had trouble controlling the sheer physical nature of the Sunderland forward and even though he was guilty of making a challenge that led to the winning penalty, he has repeatedly shown that he is willing to try and save his team when the odds are against him. Some may say he needs to learn not to make such desperate challenges, but I think it is Adam Smith's way to try and make the difference. He had a similar disappointing moment a couple of season's ago when he gave away a penalty against Middlesbrough that he though would cost the Cherries promotion. 

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The experience that he has gained under Jason Tindall and Eddie Howe has surely proved to his that he made the right decision to come back to AFCB. It will be a welcome pat on the back for AFCB's coaching staff if Adam does get his call up and I think that by binging Jack Wilshere to the club, it has put more of a focus on AFCB's players and given one or two the chance to get seen on a more regular basis by those who are looking for new international players.

Premier Talk - Liverpool and Chelsea - the pace setters

10-man Sunderland embarrass shoddy-shooting Cherries 1-2

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 2 Sunderland

5 November 2016

Attendance: 11,084

Sunderland's visit to Dean Court shows up weaknesses in AFCB's hooks on mid-table.

While David Moyes watched from the stands, it was Eddie Howe that would have more reason to want to be out of public sight after this outing. Nothing changes my opinion that Sunderland are a poor side. This was underlined as early as the 11th minute when Dan Gosling stuck out his chest to put the Cherries ahead, but what Sunderland have got is players that stick to their task, and after a quick turn from Anichebe in the box and a masterful strike, Sunderland suddenly found themselves in the game. The Cherries became robotic and predictable in their movement and even while Mike Dean did not referee well, the sending off of Pienaar for a second yellow after stamping on Junior Stanisals should have opened the flood doors for AFCB. Instead, they forgot to shut the back door and with Anichebe running in on goal Adam Smith brought him down, to give Jermain Defoe the perfect opportunity to put a smile back on David Moyes' face. While AFCB would bombard the Sunderland goal, an inspired  Jordan Pickford and some woeful shooting left home fans pretty despondent going into the international break.

Sunderland players warm up.

AFCB players get ready to respect the Rememberence.

The two captains.

Sunderland get ready for the minute's silence.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery

Bournemouth sprung a surprise in leaving out Callum Wilson, who was said to have a hamstring strain, while Andrew Surman was also out having hurt his hamstring in the last match. The good news was that Dan Gosling would play and Junior Stanislas was back, while Marc Pugh made the bench.

It did not take Mike Dean too many minutes to get his book out for Harry Arter for a foul on McNair, but the Cherries were fired up and the first corner was met by Simon Francis who headed wide.  While Sunderland's response was a shot from Watmore that Francis blocked.

Francis was again involved in tackling back to stop Jermain Defoe getting a strike in on goal. But it was Harry Arter that got the home supporters excited with a well driven shot that swerved and caused Pickford to palm away from 20 yards. While AFCB moved the ball from the left to the right side, it was Junior Stanislas that put in a perfect cross that Golsing gobbled up with a chested glance to put the Cherries 1-0 up on 11 minutes.

Simon Francis was again soon rushing back to keep Defoe in check, but Ibe was having problems keeping hold of the ball for long. It was Gosling that as impressing, bursting from midfield and picking out Josh King before Junior Stanislas came up on the overlap and smashed his shot into the side netting.

Duncan Watmore was the only Sunderland player that looked dangerous as he outstripped Daniels and put in a cross that no Black Cat had gambled on. Meanwhile, Boruc was prevented from a quick kick to his back four and promptly kicked the ball straight out. 

Jack Wilshere was getting close to sending King through but for an offside flag. Sunderland were struggling to keep any possession with Ndong not even able to find a team-mate with his wayward passing. Jordan Ibe was doing no better to be fair, running into players and losing the ball.

When King did get a break and a shot on the angle, Pickford saved well to his left - getting down early. A few minutes later though he blocked the keeper, who slipped, and Josh was branded a yellow card. While Gosling was doing his best to extend the lead by turning and shooting quickly, it flew over the bar.  

Who could have known that a minute later, Koné would pass to Defoe, who would spot Anichebe with his back to goal in AFCB's penalty area. His turn was even better and it left Smith and Francis on the ground, and created enough space for him to lash the ball past Boruc and into the roof of the net. It was 1-1 then after 33 minutes.

Junior Stanislas and Jordan Ibe switched wings, but it did not improve matters for AFCB. Boruc had to come out and make a save at the feet of McNair as Sunderland sensed an opportunity. 

A foul by Pienaar on Wilshere saw the Sunderland midfielder booked and even more annoyingly for them, Jones put in a sweeping cross for Watmore who stuck the ball away only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Just before half time, Ibe ran into another two Sunderland players and it was no surprise that after half time his game was run.

All to play for.

Jack and HArry get ready for the second half.

Benik Afobe comes onto the pitch.

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Second half

Benik Afobe replaced Ibe at the start of the half and he got on to the ball early against Koné but the free kick was given against him. Then there was a stoppage for McNair who hurt his shoulder from a Golsing tackle. The stretcher was not needed in the end though.

A free kick won by Afobe gave Stanislas  a chance to try his luck, but his effort was turned over the bar by the keeper.

This was not such a one-sided game anymore, Boruc had to punch clear from an Ndong shot. Yet, AFCB were creating more chances. Afobe was guilty of not getting on the end of a King cross when he looked well place to score, before Wilshere had a great chance that he hit well, but drew the save from Pickford to his left.

If the screw was starting to turn, a second yellow for Pienaar for going over the top in the teackle on Stanislas put AFCB well in the driving seat as Sunderland would have to go down to 10 men with 59 minutes gone. Arter then inexplicably tried to take the leather off the ball by smashing a cross that almost took Afobe's head off as it went out for a throw. Even Arter seemed amazed at how wayward the cross was.

AFCB soon won the ball back though and in the move that could have won the Cherries the game. Gosling put Junior Stanislas in the clear on the angle with just Pickford to beat, but he pinged his shot off the foot of the post! The corners started to mount up now but a decisive shot on target just wouldn't come for AFCB. Wilshere came closest with a strong run that saw him pick his way through the centre of the box only for the shot to dribble just wide of the post - this was agonising.

Another cross from Gosling and Stanislas missed his volley completely! Another attempt by Stanislas and Pickford duly dropped on the shot to gather it up.

While Anichebe picked up a yellow card for a foul on Gosling, he was about to turn the whole game on its head. Sunderland's 4-5-0 formation with Defoe on the wing was actually working and frustrating the Cherries. McNair was subbed on 72 minutes for Denayer and, after a quick throw, Watmore sent Anichebe into the box and Adam Smith came across rather rashly and took the striker down. Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Defoe does what he usually does and made it 1-2. Sunderland were on for an incredible away win.

Of course they had to hold out for 17 minutes and added time, but they knew how to slow the game down and waste precious seconds. The first test for them came from Afobe who was just on the penalty spot and managed to fire wide.

Arter was subbed for Lys Mousset to come on after 76 minutes. Ryan Fraser would also replace Stanislas on 81 minutes. While Afobe would see another effort go wide, Steve Cook almost put himself in the right place when a high ball came off his back, but it also fell wide. Josh King came closer still with a terrific volley that Pickford somehow kept out by pushing it over the bar.

Love replaced Watmore for Sunderland in the last few minutes. The handshake Watmore gave to the referee was surely designed just to annoy the home fans and slow down his substitution a little more. This was followed by an almighty amount of touches by AFCB players right in front of the Sunderland goal that had to end in a goal, but - no, the ball some how ran wide for a corner.

The last major talking point as seeing Gooch replace Defoe in time added on and then go straight in the ref's book for fouling King. Still, who cares? It was three points to Sunderland on a day when AFCB had more than enough chances to win.

A great day for Sunderland

Sunderland get thier first win.

Summary

Shoddy-shooting and poor concentration cost AFCB this game. They had more than enough talent and opportunities to get the goals but they got wrapped up in a battle of free kicks and small arguments and right from Arter's early booking the scene was set for a performance that was again unpicked by a side that probably will find it harder than most to get wins this season. AFCB created their own problems and when Sunderland got into shooting positions the Cherries defence just didn't manage the situations well enough. It was a snatch and grab that was well carried out by Sunderland, but must have even surprised their fans.   

A frustrating second home defeat for the Cherries.

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Gosling, Arter (Mousset 76), Stanislas (Fraser 82), Wilshere, Ibe (Afobe 46), King

AFCB Substitutes
Aké, Pugh, Afobe, Federici, Fraser, Mings, Mousset

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 6, Smith 5, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 6, Gosling 8, Arter 6 (Mousset 5), Stanislas 6 (Fraser 5), Wilshere 7, Ibe 4 (Afobe 4), King 7

Referee Rating: Mike Dean 3/10 - got carried away with his own self importance and wound players up pretty well.

Sunderland
Pickford, Jones, Koné, Djilobodji, van Aanholt, Watmore (Love 90), Pienaar (sent off), Ndong, McNair (Denayer 72), Anichebe, Defoe (Gooch 94)

Sunderland Substitutes
Denayer, Khazri, Mika, Manquillo, Love, Januzaj, Gooch

Fright night for Albion as Cherries enjoy historic 2-1 cup win

Match Report

AFCB 2 v 1 WBA

Captial One Cup 4th Round

28 October 2014

Attendance: 11, 296

AFCB and WBA walk on to the pitch.

AFCB make history for the second time in a week! After racking up their record league win they have now progressed further in the League Cup (Capital One) than ever before and can look forward to a fifth round tie. More than that they have beaten a Premier League team to get there. Don't mind that Albion did not play all their best players or that they could only bring three big names on during the match, AFCB's players were worthy winners and even a late scare was not enough to frighten Eddie Howe's players who spooked their way past a powerful WBA team.

Team photo for AFCB.

The captains in the middle.

Check out the Match Day Gallery for more pictures of the night.

Eddie Howe made 10 changes to the team that won 0-8 at Birmingham at the weekend with only captain Tommy Elphick surviving the axe. Some home fans may have wondered how well some of the Bournemouth players who had been picked would do against a WBA team that had also put in plenty of replacements from their first team, but the AFCB squad is probably stronger now than it has ever been as this match demonstrated.

Their was a recall for Yann Kermorgant after his three match ban had been served and he had the first shot of the night forcing Myhill into action after just a minute. WBA also tried for an early goal with Victor Anichebe linking up with Sebastian Blanco, who saw the flag thankfully go up for offside!

Baily Cargill saw his first pass go straight out of play but he soon settled well. Elphick too was involved early, heading clear and as Ian Harte tried to get Rantie away the first yellow card came the way of Albion's Craig Dawson on eight minutes. Ref's aren't too keen on strangle holds! 

AFCB perhaps could have taken the lead on 11 minutes when Adam Smith raced into the box and after beating some players chose to cross to Yann, when he might have scored himself. Yann's shot was blocked though.

West Brom had not come to sit back though and a headed chance for Liam O'Neil was just glanced wide. WBA fans tried to pick fun at the home crowds calls for an early handball by Dawson, but they were even more pleased to see Eunan O'Kane was yellow carded for pulling back O'Neil on 15 minutes. While the free kick was headed out, Yousesouf Mulumbu returned a shot from fully 25 yards with some interest, luckily Camp saved well. Albion had another chance soon after but Mulumbu hit a weak shot that Camp could gather easily.

While Rantie was getting caught offside a couple of times in the first 20 minutes, he was busy causing trouble and put in a devilish cross that was crying out to be finished, while Eunan O'Kane then put a great ball through to the South African who was cleanly tackled at the last moment by Gareth McAuley.

Ian Harte was next in the book for a foul on Mulumbu, who Ian insisted had dived by his hand gestures. Blanco fired the free kick well over! AFCB replied with a good cross from Junior Stanislas and Rantie did his best to try and get on top of the cross, but headed energtically wide. With half an hour gone the Cherries had done well, but Camp had to make a great save against Brown Ideye on 34 minutes.

Cristan Gamboa was pacey down Bournemouth's left and while he won a corner, AFCB's break away saw Rantie charging down the field, only to be cynically fouled by Mulumbu who went into the book in 39 minutes. Chris Baird made an uncharacteristic mistake with a back pass the Rantie almost collected, but he got away with it. While WBA tried a long ball to Ideye next, Camp was alert to it. AFCB's corner's were not leading to chances, but Albion had a gift of a free kick right on half time, given to them by Adam Smith for a charge on Anichebe, but Dawson headed over - 0-0 at half time.

WBA players coming back after half time.

Second Half
The second half was only three minutes in when Junior Stanislas linked up with Yann Kermorgant and then Junior, in the centre, played in Eunan O'Kane on the left side of the box and Eunan finished cleanly to put the Cherries one up! It was his first goal of the season and boy did he enjoy it.

The goal brought West Brom out more and Blanco played a good ball up to Victor Anichebe and as Baily Cargill backed off into the box I feared the worst, but some how Tommy Elphick got his body in the way when the cross came in and survived the handball shouts. But when the ball came out to Gamboa, he hit a viscous bending shot, from some 25 yards, that Camp did well to keep out.

Alan Irvine made his first sub on 55 minutes with Ideye coming off and World Cup striker Georgios Samaros entering the game. Yann Kermorgant was showing his skills now with a beautiful turn in front of O'Neil, but he was later fouled by Dawson. On the hour Gosling had a chance but a West Brom player got a hand or something on the ball, and when Rantie went on a long burst down the field McAuley stopped him right at the end.

WBA made a second sub on 63 minutes as Stephane Sessegnon came on for O'Neil and within a minute you cold see his Premier League class, as he fired a shot just wide. Ryan Fraser next went on a break down the right. When he met a pass back to him in the box, he turned swiftly, but could only hook his shot wide!

Albion also had a chance from a corner but Jason Davidson shot wide. On 69 minutes Callum Wilson came on for Tokelo Rantie and on 73 minutes Blanco was replaced by WBA's star striker - Saido Berahino. Eddie Howe replied by bring on Simon Francis for Ryan Fraser and Adam Smith pushed up on the right wing.

AFCB managed to keep WBA quiet for most of the last 10 minutes as the Midland team complained to the referee, and wasted their own time with a throw in the bottom right of the field, which the referee insisted be taken in the right place - it was very amusing! Just when it seemed that the action would be all over, Samaras made a run down the left and his shot deflected off Tommy Elphick for an own goal! The WBA fans went wild with delight. There were only five minutes to go of normal time and it was 1-1!

Yet, in a week that has been truly historic for the Cherries they picked themselves up from this set back immediately, and Adam Smith dinked a chip up over the defence on the right wing for Callum Wilson to run on to. Callum ran in on goal, before releasing his shot that Myhill merely steered into the net with his attempt at trying to get an arm to the shot - it was 2-1 and the Baggies were going out! 

Shaun MacDonald came on for Yann Kermorgant right at the end. While WBA had four minutes of extra time to get an equaliser, and Chris Baird might have done so with a header, but is sailed over the bar.

Bournemouth grab a last gasp winner and WBA are knocked out!

Players thank the found for a noisy evening.

Eddie Howe leaves his players to celebrate with the crowd.

First goal scorer Eunan O'Kane in the background
with Fraser, Gosling (perhaps) and Tommy Elphick. 

Summary
It was an excellent team performance by the Cherries. They had thwarted a strong West Brom team who had not managed to wrestle as much possession away from the Cherries as I am sure they would have liked. With many notable Premier League players for West Brom on the pitch by the end of the game, it was a truly pleasing result and there was much reason for AFCB fans to celebrate - through to the last eight! There is a strange kind of symmetry about 'eight' and AFCB at the moment - another Midlands side had been felled.

I took some videos of the crowd and players at the end of the game, so hopefully I can put something up on that this evening.

AFCB
Camp, Smith, Elphick, Cargill, Harte, Stanislas, O'Kane, Gosling, Fraser (Francis 75), Rantie (Wilson 69), Kermorgant (MacDonald 88)

AFCB Ratings
Camp 7, Smith 8, Elphick 8, Cargill 7, Harte 7, Stanislas 7, O'Kane 8, Gosling 7, Fraser 7, Rantie 7, Kermorgant 7

AFCB subs
Flahavan, MacDonald, Francis, Pitman, Wilson, Daniels, Ritchie

West Bromwich AlbionMyhill, Gamboa, Dawson Booked, McAuley, Davidso, Mulumbu Booked, O'Neil (Sessegnon 63), Baird, Blanco (Berahino 75 ), Ideye (Samaras 55 ), 10 Anichebe

WBA Subs
Foster, Wisdom, Gardner, Berahino, Sessegnon, Samaras, Roofe

Ref watch: Paul Tierney 5

WBA would be foolish to assume an easy game at AFCB

I am a bit worried that WBA don't know when they are beaten these days. Alan Irvine has a team that are playing some of the best football in the Midlands at the moment, and they have a goal scorer that is a particular hot shot. A draw against Man Utd and a come back against Crystal palace shows that they are made of hardy stuff these days. Irvine will be expected to not play all of his front line team against AFCB, but he might have to think twice about playing a completely different 11 from his Premier League line up, because AFCB are in the mood to take on any one.

Whoever is on the other side of the pitch to face
AFCB these days they don't get an easy game. What kind of WBA
side will show up though?

WBA could rest Saido Berahino for this match. Their star Burundi striker is their best weapon for staying in the Premier League and they have plenty of other strikers who will fancy their chances for this game. In the previous round Irvine selected Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe, while Samaras came off the bench. They have some other great players like Chris Brunt in midfield and James Morrisson, while at the back they have Joleon Lescott and Chris Baird on their books, but don't expect the big names to play. Boaz Myhill has also been playing in goal in the Capital One rather than Ben Foster. They also have some injuries - Yacob, Varela and Olsson are out. If the second 11 do get the okay to play the match though we can expect to see a group of players that are eager to make a name for themselves and to get nearer to Albion's first team.

It may be that Irvine does a bit of both, keeping some of his top players on the bench just in case they don't go according to plan. Eddie Howe says that he knows that Albion have been at many of the Cherries' recent games and are taking this game seriously. The 8-0 thrashing of Birmingham will give WBA reason to prove that not all the teams in the second city are so easy to pick off.

A place in the last eight awaits the winner and a more lucrative draw is possible. So AFCB have every reason to try and punish Irvine if he does tread too lightly on the south coast.

Last time in the Capital One Cup, WBA's team against Hull City was as follows:
Mayhill, McAuley, Davidson, Olsson, Gamba, O'Neil, Mulumbu, Yacob, Blanco, Ideye, Anichebe

WBA subs: Foster, Wisdom, Berhino, Dawson, Varela, Samaras, Nabi

All Departments' marathon podcast is now available to listen to. Listen to reviews of both the Reading and Birmingham wins on All Departments' website, or listen by scrolling down the side panel on Cherry Chimes to the All Departments' sound bar.