Where are AFCB's scoring boots?

The lack of goals for AFCB continues with another blank sheet away at Wolves. Two games and no goals is not what Bournemouth needed at this moment, and while it would be understandable if the shooting was just being stopped by good saves, Bournemouth have only managed one shot on target in their last two games. How is this going to get them out of the relegation zone?

AFCB are running out of chances

Matters have arguably been made worse by the two game ban for Callum Wilson which means a new striker will lead the line in the next two games. It is expected that Howe will rush back Josh King, as Dominic Solanke hasn't shown any ability to score in games. Josh has always wanted to play as the main striker and Bournemouth need him to be goal hungry now.

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The problem has been that Bournemouth have played in front of defences and haven't been able to get around the back. When they have got down the sides, the crossing has been poor or indifferent, so Wilson has had nothing to feed off. David Brooks showed how it should be done early in the match  against Wolves getting to the byline and making a drag back but the team seemed to be unable to do that again in the rest of the 90 minutes.

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Bournemouth are crying out for good delivery which is why I can't understand why Rico is not getting a game, although I was impressed with Lloyd Kelly's few minutes against Wolves. Everything seems ramshackle and last minute and preparations are perhaps not at their best if the team are unable to get good supply to forwards and no shots are resulting.

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The situation can't continue if Bournemouth have any hopes of winning a game. Every time I look at a baffled Eddie Howe I wonder, does he actually have the answers? Have the players stopped listening? Do the players want to improve? Have they already lost heart?

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Goal shy Bournemouth lose again at Wolves 

Rival Lines: Wolves - we're rubbing shoulders with some illustrious clubs – and he's not talking about AFCB!

Match Preview Wolves v AFCB

Blogger interview: Wolves Blog

Twitter @thomasbaugh

It has been a long time since I tried to speak to a rival fan for Rival Lines. Thomas Baugh was my first stop after Project Restart got underway and he write on the Wolves Blog. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been in fine form and even have a shot at getting into the Champions League so is there any thing that isn't rosy about being a Wolves fan?

CC: As we look at the table before the restart, Wolves are in sixth place. Would that satisfy most Wolves fans if you finished there - one better than last season?

WB: That's tough to answer as the team seems like it has the potential to compete for 5th and potentially Champions League football. But I think if we're being sensible you'd have to say sixth would still represent a great achievement, particularly when you consider we'd be finishing above the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who have been amongst the established elite for so long.

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CC: Nuno Esprito Santo has done a fantastic job, but do you fear he is now firmly on the go get list for other clubs?

WB: Definitely, but that's the price of success. Hopefully we can match his ambitions and keep him at the club for a long time to come. The setup at Wolves seems perfect for all involved so I would hope it would take a seriously good offer to wrench him away.

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CC: Wolves are still in the UEFA Europa League's last 16. Are you keen for this competition to be played out this season?

WB: Yes. If nothing else, it's another opportunity to get into the Champions League and with second legs being eliminated Wolves are potentially just 4 wins away from lifting the trophy. We're rubbing shoulders with some illustrious clubs now and given that most of my time supporting Wolves has been in the second tier, these glory days must be savoured.

CC: How did your warm up games go against Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City, did you get much feedback about the performances and are there any injured players?

WB: Didn't hear much about those games but the proof was in the pudding against West Ham. The lads looked fit, sharp and organised. We deservedly won the game so hopefully, it continues to be business as usual.

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CC: How did you feel Wolves did against West Ham in your first match back?

WB: Very well. I don't think West Ham are in great shape but our goalkeeper didn't make a save and once we started really attacking with some intent after Traore came on, it was fairly routine. We were keeping a lot of clean sheets before the season paused, so it was great to see that continue. We're a tough nut to crack and a threat going forward - what more can we ask?

CC: Wolves will have a big say in what happens at both ends of the table. Do you think Wolves have to take points off of West Ham, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa to stand any chance of making the top six?

WB: Possibly not for sixth but if we have aspirations of competing for fifth or higher, we probably need a return of 7-9 points. We've got 3 on the board after turning West Ham over but every game in the Premier League is tough, so I won't be taking Bournemouth or Villa for granted despite their respective struggles.

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CC: Would you be agreeable to cash in on Adama Traore if clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona are willing to pay crazy money for him, ie over £110m?

WB: I don't want him to go because he's a unique talent, so keeping him is preferable. I honestly believe this squad could get even better and challenge the top four. But if he does go, yes, it must be for silly money, so we can use that injection of cash to build out the squad and I'd obviously prefer to see him going abroad than to domestic rivals.

CC: What chance do you give for Bournemouth staying up this season and what are your predictions for the bottom three?

WB: I thought you'd stay up before the weekend but with Brighton getting that win and Palace winning fairly comfortably at the Vitality, I think you're in a spot of bother. I wouldn't like to choose between Bournemouth, West Ham and Villa. Brighton aren't completely out yet either as they've got a tough run of fixtures to come. I don't think Watford are going to drop. At present, I would say definitely Norwich, probably Villa and then 50/50 between the others. It will be interesting to see how your lads respond to that defeat to Palace.

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CC: How will you watch or listen to Wolves v AFCB and what is your score prediction?

WB: It's on BT so I shall be watching from home and based on form and league positions, I can't go with anything other than a Wolves win. 2-1.

Good luck for the rest of the season Cherries - after Wednesday!

CC: Some excellent points made by Thomas. I get the feeling he might have a bit of a soft spot for Bournemouth out of the teams that are battling to stay up, but it must be strange to be supporting a team that is on the verge of its best season for many a year and yet being held up by the lockdown up till now. I can imagine the frustration, while fans of teams like Bournemouth are hanging on to every second of being a Premier League club. Bournemouth probably need some complacency to get into the Wolves camp to have a chance of picking up points at Molineux. Can the form book be turned around in just 72 hours. I am keen to find out, just like Thomas. You can see more Wolves build up on the Wolves Blog website.

Talking the talk is not the same as doing the business for AFCB

Eddie Howe was clear that the players were ready. The fitness levels were good and the players knew how important the first game would be against Palace to set the tone for their Premier League survival. So how did Bournemouth end up out of the game in 23 minutes, and unable to put a reasonable effort in to try and pull the game back?

Billing might be back but the Cherries need more
than the odd player back, they have ti play as a team.

The pressure of needing to do well was probably too much. They had built up the fact that they would play well and would really get into the opposition, so when the opposite happened they simply didn't know how to deal with it. It wasn't on the script that Luka Milivojevic would hit a screamer of a free kick from 25 yards in 12 minutes and have Bournemouth wondering what had just hit them. It was a disaster as Bournemouth didn't know how to reset.

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Once the players know that the other team is playing superior football, they need a break a bit of luck or an incident to go their way to get the heads back up. That wasn't happening with no crowd for the players to feed off and few referee decisions going their way. In essence Palace grew in confidence and made a great second goal from their point of view, which just sucked any air out that had been left in Bournemouth's balloon.

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It needed a player to get hold of the team and really nail on them that the performance wasn't good enough to be 0-2 down in the first 25 minutes. But we didn't see it from Steve Cook, Callum Wilson or Nathan Aké. Bournemouth need a leader and while I don't want to see Simon Francis return to right back, at least he shouted at players and let them knew when they needed to do better. I hope that some anger has been left off in the changing room and training pitch after the Palace performance. The players need to get it out of their system rather than just hoping things turn around.

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Bournemouth may be lucky they have a second shot at Project Restart away at Wolves, because West Ham and Watford are still in touching distance, but Bournemouth need to walk the walk on the pitch and not talk the talk before the game.

Previous Post on Cherry Chimes - Has Eddie Howe run out of ideas?

AFCBTV Preview - Wolves away

Has Eddie Howe run out of ideas?

Bournemouth fans adore Eddie Howe for what he has done for the club, but there is a sense that he is not getting through to the players anymore, or that he is running out of ideas to keep the success going.  While I remember a very confident coach that strived to reach targets that seemed beyond a novice coach, and a lower league team, he and Jason Tindall pulled AFC Bournemouth up the leagues with momentum that was built up. Now it feels like the club and Eddie's power have started to wane.

Eddie has reason to be worried.

Looking at the match against Crystal Palace, I was even wondering if Eddie had run out of ideas? He didn't seem to make a big difference in the way the team were playing, although half-time did allow him to get Danjuma on. The TV punditry was constantly going on about how Bournemouth should go wide, rather than through the middle, but Callum Wilson cut a lonely figure for most of the time up front, and none of the midfielders could get up well enough to support, apart from David Brooks occasionally.

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When Palace had the ball, Bournemouth's problems were all too obvious. They didn't mark tight, didn't hold their shape and let runners move off the back of them. The tackling was fairly absent, and it wasn't nearly difficult enough for Palace to come marauding down the pitch. When Eddie's first ideas don't work out well, it seems the players find it either hard to adapt to something else, or get trapped in the mindset that they have to stick with the plan, when it hasn't been working in the first 20 minutes. I haven't seen Bournemouth look so uncomfortable at times this season since Paul Groves was in charge. It's hard to watch.

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Eddie simply hasn't been able to change the pattern and that must be worrying for him. He always turns things around, but he's struggling to get players to do the basic things. I know we are only one game back in, but the level of improvement AFCB need is going to be huge going into the Wolves game. Whether a couple of changes can make the difference will be seen. The majority of players who put in abject performances against palace will have to go again and this time they need plan A, B, C and D in their heads, because just trying to keep hold of the ball is not going to win games. The Cherries have to find their cut and thrust again. And by the way, AFCB weren't even very good at keeping hold of the ball on Saturday.

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Former post on Cherry Chimes - At least Danjuma puts himself right in Eddie's thoughts  

At least Danjuma puts himself right in Eddie's thoughts

I was pleased for a couple of players who did credit to themselves against Crystal Palace ,despite a poor team performance. The first was David Brooks who was just about the only starter who lived up to his star name, and did all he could to get the Cherries on the winning track, and the second player I was impressed with was Arnaut Danjuma.

Danjuma deserves his chance now.

Now that Josh King has picked up an injury that will keep him out for at least a game, it is surely an opportunity for Danjuma to be given a start. The Dutch winger really flew at Palace defenders and looked like he could be an express train if given the opportunity to go at defences for 90 minutes. I imagine Howe wanted to shield him a little, as he has not played much competitive football in the past year, but now AFCB need players that are showing form and Danjuma is a must for the match against Wolves.

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Wolves won't know much about Danjuma and it will be important for AFCB to have their own flying winger, with Traore expected to line up against Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Fighting fire with fire might be the only way Bournemouth can get themselves going. It was slow and methodic football against Crystal Palace, but no energy or pace until Danjuma took to the field.

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Bournemouth used to be all about pace and excitement. Now it is stuck in patient build-up and it's not working. I'd like to see Sam Surridge also in the squad as he should have been on Saturday. Bournemouth need options for getting goals, and can't afford to have no one to call on who can change the game. It makes me scratch my head why Defoe was bought and is playing up in Scotland and Bournemouth are short of attacking options. Danjuma is one wrapped present that AFCB can at least finally unwrap so let's give him more than 45 minutes on Wednesday Eddie.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes – AFCB missed their big opportunity against Palace

Are hard fixtures a big problem for AFCB?

Much has been said about the run-in with AFCB judged to have the toughest run-in of games left. They have to play four sides in the top six and the lowest placed team they will face is Southampton, who are almost safe already. But is it a bad hand or really an incentive to AFCB to get points against the better sides?

Many City away might be more of a training session than a real attempt to earn points

Bournemouth do like challenges and this season has been harder than ever. To get points against the best in the division is hard at the best of times, but the Cherries don't have such a bad record against some of the sides they still have to play. We all know that Man City is a game that many will have already written off but Bournemouth have come close to getting a point against them in the past. Bournemouth can't go into any game thinking they have already lost and will just have to take that game as an opportunity to raise their game higher than it has ever been before.

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The match against Spurs at Dean Court last May was won by the Cherries by a goal to nil and while they have a new manager, Jose Mourhino has not always done well against Eddie Howe when he was at Chelsea. Eddie Howe can also proclaim that his side beat Man united 1-0 at home this season, so the away game may not hold as much fear as it might have in past seasons. The match against Leicester could also be a bit of a thriller with end-to-end goalmouth action, which has become characteristic of these games.

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The games that might indeed trip AFCB up are likely to be matches against Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and Wolves in my book. I think there is often some over confidence in these kind of games where both teams believe they can win the game and a moment of hesitancy can decide the result.

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If Bournemouth do stay up they will have done it the hard way and will need some big results against good teams, but if they can do it they will take confidence from having survived.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Fraser's want away attitude could backfire on Cherries

A dreadful first half hour against Wolves

Just when you hope that Bournemouth have taken a lesson from their game before the international break, we were served up an indifferent first half against Wolves, and an experienced captain was left holding his head in his hands after making a couple of mistakes. Self-inflicted handicaps are something you can't do in the Premier league, and if you keep doing that you'll soon find yourself in the bottom end of the table.

AFCB didn't hit the ground running against Wolves.

The game very quickly went away from the Cherries because they didn't concentrate on two set-pieces, and they let their guard down at really important times. While Aaron Ramsdale may be disappointed with not getting closer to the first goal, he had no chance in stopping the second. Ramsdale actually had a good game, Steve Cook says he is the only player that performed in the first half and that's just not good enough by the rest of the team.

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Putting the first half behind the team is now what Eddie Howe will be trying to focus on. While you can look at what went wrong, it's important to put it behind the players and work on some positives for Tottenham. With Simon Francis not being involved the players can look to work on a back four and put the back three idea out of mind. The shape of the team is what Howe has to get right first of all against Spurs and get back to being hard to beat.

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It must have been very difficult going into that dressing room at half-time. The crowd were despondent at the performance and the players won't have felt any different. Some credit has to be handed out for managing to change that atmosphere around in a spirited second half, but Bournemouth shouldn't have put themselves in that position. 

Yes, Wolves played well but they were gifted opportunities to get ahead in the game and they could manage the Bournemouth fightback well enough to ensure they left with all three points. Bournemouth have to take the pain of defeat and make sure they don't play as badly in their next 90 minutes of football.

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Set-piece chaos for Cherries

Bournemouth's strong defensive prowess took another hit at the weekend. While Wolves have not been the highest scorers by any means in the league, they didn't find anything too difficult about unlocking the Cherries' defence.

Two free kick incidents ruined AFCB Saturday.

Two set-pieces were the door that Wolves needed to win the game. It must be agonisingly annoying for Eddie Howe when the team can't defend properly at such moments. The team has the opportunity to get ready and be prepared for the free kicks when they come in, but Bournemouth just didn't have all the basis covered and they looked extremely vulnerable when Wolves had free kicks.

Ramsdale didn't really get off the ground quick enough for Moutinho's goal. Why that was I'm not sure. Perhaps he didn't think the shot would be direct and more likely to be a cross. But he was caught out by a marvellous shot and Moutinho probably put it in the only small space that he could to beat Ramsdale. It was hit very high and had a very sharp dip on it.

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Less forgivable was the second goal. The ball between Harry Wilson and Lewis Cook was expertly played, but Bournemouth were caught on the back foot and once the cross from Traore was put right in front of Raul Jimenez, it was simple for the striker to score, having got ahead of Nathan Aké.

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Wolves were alert to the opportunity of scoring whenever they had a dead ball situation, and you have to ask why Bournemouth always looked flat when they had given a free kick away. There is a mental alert button that needs to be pressed when Bournemouth are in these situations and they can't keep going to sleep.

Better with 10-men

Eddie Howe couldn't really explain why Bournemouth showed more spirit and fight when going down to 10-men against Wolves. Yes, he had told the players that they were playing for the fans and their families in the second half to make sure the score was not embarrassing, but something was yet again wrong about the mentality in the first 45 minutes and it's not the first time we have seen it this season.

AFCB did get themselves going with their ore-match huddle.

Going a goal down seemed to suck the life out of the Cherries. Moutinho scored a fantastic free kick and there is no arguing with the quality of the strike, with Ramsdale finding it to get up in a crowded box to stop the dipping shot. More disappointing was Simon Francis' lunge on Jota which led to the free kick in the first place. Did he need to make the challenge? Did he get close enough to feel confident he would block the ball and not be late? Francis was just not quick enough and the only thing you can say about the challenge was it was made outside the box.

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With Francis soon removed, the Cherries needed to reorganise and get their heads sorted but they seemed to dwell on their inconsistency and poor showing of the first 40 minutes and couldn't do much to find a shot in the first half. But with two new players coming on and a talking to from Eddie Howe at half-time, things changed and for the good. Bournemouth now have to capture that spirit and desire for the next game.

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There was a fight about AFCB in the second half. A willingness to do everything to get themselves into the game and real passion that came to the fore when Steve Cook scored. But the Cherries had given themselves too much to do and while the 10-men performed well, it can't happen like this every game to feel almost out of the game before starting to work hard. A lot of self analysis on the part of the players is needed this week ahead of a massive challenge next weekend. 

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Chimes to Camera - AFCB 1 v 2 Wolves

10-men Cherries go down fighting to Wolves

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 2 Wolves

23 November 2019

Attendance: 10,539

AFCB suffer second defeat in a row.

A disastrous first 30 minutes put this game beyond Bournemouth. Simon Francis made his return to the team only to see red for two yellow card offences in the first half and Wolves punished the Cherries with two set-pieces that gave AFCB a mountain to climb. Francis first foul led to the expertly hit free kick from João Moutinho on 21 minutes before Traore raced down the wing and crossed for Jimenez for a simple tap in for 0-2. When Eddie Howe changed formation in the second half and brought on Lerma and Danjuma, there was a sudden change to the game. Steve Cook flashed in his first goal of the season and the impossible comeback looked on for a short while. Wolves played some possession football though and time wasted to get over the line, leaving Howe to question why he had set up the team as he had at the start of the game.

Simon Francis is back, but not for long.

Josh King was left out with a hamstring strain and Simon Francis came in for him which was a big surprise with AFCB going with three centre backs for this game. It was a formation that just didn't give Bournemouth the possession they needed and Callum Wilson was left isolated for much of the first half.

Match Day Gallery - more images here

Referee Simon Hooper came down hard on the Cherries.

Wolves showed their intent with an early corner which Ake headed away and Neves shot wide. Saïss was booked for fouling Lewis Cook, but Harry Wilson couldn't take advantage when the ref played on.

Aké passed his first Traore pace test, before Doherty pushed Fraser down on the break.

Franno had to get back and head clear ahead of Jota coming in on Traore's cross. Traore was getting down in behind on the right and Neves had another shot wide on 11 minutes. Jimenez also had a shot blocked.

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Lewis Cook tried to find Billing down the middle, but the keeper read it.

Doherty crosses and Steve Cook got himself in a tangle before clearing at the second attempt.

Billing was booked for blocking Traore on 16 minutes. Fraser almost intercepted in front of goal, but then Ramsdale has to be quick out to beat Castro Otto.

Franno is booked for taking down Jota just outside the box. The free kick is on a tight angle. Moutinho finds the top far corner 0-1 Wolves, on 22 minutes.

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Francis drills on a low cross, but Callum Wilson can't control it. Lewis Cook goes on from the side on Traore and fouls.

A quickly taken free kick and Traore crosses for Jimenez 0-2 on 32 minutes - all too easy.

Fraser is body checked. Bournemouth free kick Wilson shot is blocked. Callum Wilson then heads wide.

Jiminez goes through the middle and Ramsdale gets his legs there, but Steve Cook has to clear off the line before Jota.

Doherty then has a shot saved and Francis has been sent off! Second yellow on 37 minutes. I think he pulled a shirt.

Ramsdale saves from Jota. A great touch over the bar.

A pot shot goes over from Castro Ott. Half-time 0-2.

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Second half
Lerma is on for Billing and Danjuma has replaced Harry Wilson. Jota had a shot that went wide.

Diego Rico puts in a great ball for Wilson but he  in turn, can't find Danjuma.

Fraser goes for the near post but the keeper saves. Adam Smith drills a shot that is deflected to the keeper.

Jota is in and scores but is offside. Wolves' corner and Steve Cook clears. Neves shoots wide from a flow up corner.

Lerma runs out of pitch, bit of loose control. Traore fouls Rico but no card. Lewis Cooks' shot is deflected for a corner.

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Steve Cook arrives and he's scored with a header 1-2 on 57 minutes. Bournemouth are some how back in this.

Wolves have a corner. Jimenez heads wide. Saïss has a long shot which is saved by Ramsdale low to his right.

Danjuma wins a corner. Fraser puts a cross in. Momentum is turning.

Wolves are passing us to death. Rico's low crook as is easily repelled. Lewis Cook loses the ball and Traore is away. Luckily he pulls his shot wide.

Traore wins another corner. Lewis Cook is subbed for Gosling on 76 minutes.

Danjuma does great down the wing and Smith and Wilson work to get a corner. On the break Jota runs the length of the pitch and Ramsdale saves well for a corner. Lerma over cooks his pass out to Rico.

Steve Cook shoots and its saved. Aké overhead kick saved corner. Fraser's cross and Aké heads over.

Jimenez on the break handball and hits a tame shot. Jota is off and Vinagre is on after 88 minutes.

Rico is booked for taking Traore down.

Three added minutes. Long shot from Jiminez is saved. Ramsdale is up for a corner but the keeper cons the ref.

Steve Cook wins the knock down. Wilson and Danjuma shanks it horribly wide.

Summary

A game to forget. Bournemouth came out with the wrong set up and probably weren't helped by Solanke injuring himself in the warm up. Simon Francis just wasn't up to speed and I don't know if he will be at this level again. He has just lost a bit of pace and it matters at this level. Diego Rico maybe switched off for the second goal, but the passing as a whole wasn't good enough in the first half. Lerma gives the side confidence and a stable base. He and Danjuma almost turned the game round. But it was Steve Cook that almost galvanised the team with his goal to make the comeback. But Bournemouth lacked that final bit of quality and luck in the box to get something out of the game.

The Guardian - Season report so far

AFCB Line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Stacey, Mepham, Gosling, Lerma, Danjuma, Solanke

AFCB Ratings

Ramsdale 7, A Smith 5, Francis 3, S Cook 8, Aké 7, Rico 5, L Cook 5 (Gosling 5),
Billing 4 (Lerma 7), Fraser 6, H Wilson 5 (Danjuma 7), C Wilson 5

AFCB MOM: Steve Cook

Referee Watch: Simon Hooper 2/10 - I don't think he'll be showing his face again at Dean Court in a hurry. He kind of liked giving Bournemouth players yellow cards.

Wolves
11 Patricio, 32 Dendoncker, 16 Coady, 27 Saiss, 2 Doherty, 8 Neves, 28 Moutinho, 19 Castro Otto, 37 Traore, 9 Jimenez, 18 Jota

Wolves Subs
4 Vallejo, 7 Neto, 10 Cutrone, 21 Ruddy, 26 Perry, 29 Vinagre, 49 Kilman


































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