Is Francis' position under threat?

The arrival of Adam Smith should not send shivers down Simon Francis' spine. While he will find it more competitive to keep his place every game with Adam pushing him for the stating spot he should use it as a positive to drive himself on further and to try and perform better. To be fair Simon has had it pretty good for the last season and a half and he needs someone to challenge him if AFCB are to get the best out of him.

Simon Francis has not missed a game this season yet.

Adan Smith is also great going forward but has he become
a more astute defender in his time away from AFCB?

Now and again I do wonder if Francis does switch off or just gives players a little more room that he should, but this is a very hard league and it is his first season at this level. The goal that Leicester scored at the weekend came from a cross from the left wing that you can argue might have been stopped, but on the far post Kevin Phillips had managed to pull away from Francis to get a clear header on goal. It's slight margins and minor details and all our players have to be vigilant, but even a regular defender like Francis is still learning.

All the players have done well in truth, including Simon Francis, and to be where they are at this stage of the season is a credit to all of them. I just want the team to keep improving and that is the reason why Adam Smith has been brought in just like Yann Kermogant has been added to the forward line.

In some games Adam Smith may be preferred to Simon Francis and vice versa depending on the opposition and how the players are doing in training. I also like to see that AFCB finally has some specialist cover at right back as I was worried who would fill in at right back if Francis did get injured. Steve Cook and Wes Fogden were probably the go to players before Fogden left, but Smith is more used to playing there and I am keen to see him get a chance this season.

Adam Smith is no stranger to the Championship having
played at Leeds Utd, Millwall and Derby Co.

Goal line technology will surely come to the Championship

The calls for goal line technology will surely come for the Championship and Leagues One and Two in the next few years, now that it is already in place in the Premiership. It can only be a financial consideration why it is not used universally in the professional game now as the merits of having the technology far out weigh any reason not to have it on the grounds of spoiling the traditions of the game or not getting an instant decision. The technology is available and it's an immediate yes/no as far as a goal decision is concerned.

Lee Camp would like to see goal line technology introduced
in the Championship and I'm with him on that. 

Having seen the Leicester goal a number of times against AFCB there is one angle that I would really like to see and that is the camera view along the goal line. It is a shame that we can't yet take such controversy out of the game yet at Championship level. 

While I'll take the assistant referee's and referee's decision that it was probably  a goal, wouldn't it be nice for both teams, officials and fans to be able to say they can all be 100 per cent satisfied directly after the incident? Fairness all round is surely what all fans want. Officials can never get everything correct, but this is one area where it has been proven that controversy can be taken out of the game completely.

You can say a goal at Dean Court one way or the other is not going to make a dramatic change to AFCB's season and Leicester were certainly good value for their win on Saturday. But why should I rely on Mr Phillips' view rather than Lee Camp's? 

The worrying thing is that there could be such a goal in the play-off final in the Championship this season and it could mean the difference for one team to go into the Premiership or not. It is unlikely to feature Leicester City as they will probably win automatic promotion which is what their football deserves. But if the play-off final is the most lucrative game in football shouldn't it have the goal line technology? Perhaps it will now and from there it may filter down further into the Championship and other leagues.

I was never that sure if I wanted technology such as this to come into the game but I think it is a bit naive not to employed as widely as it can be once finances allow. Anything that helps to get correct decisions and helps the officials should surely be supported.  

You can vote in our goal line technology poll in the right hand panel to express your view on whether it would be good now to have the technology in the Championship or not.

Lee Camp makes goalkeeping an art form

Who knows whether Lee Camp will turn out to be the best signing that Eddie Howe has made in the January window? the one thing I can say is that he has started pretty well. You couldn't really fault the display that Lee Camp put on against Leicester City at the weekend. While he was beaten right at the death it was a magnificent series of saves that he pulled off with Leicester really showing that they have a great group of attacking players.

Lee looks the finished article in every respect between the sticks.

There were two saves in particular that I thought were world class. The first came in the first half when Jamie Vardy was clean through and had the chance to give the Foxes the lead. He was favourite to score with only Camp to beat but he struck his shot very firmly which was perhaps his undoing. The impact when it hit the underside of Lee Camp's are was enough for it to hit the ground really powerfully and while the rain has softened the pitch the ball must have hit a hard spot and the bar came to AFCB's aid. I was already expecting the  ball to hit the back of the net and I think Lee Camp also thought that it would be a goal. But when he turned around and saw the ball come off the bar he was so enthused that it gave him the confidence to think that he could keep a clean sheet.

The other great save was in the second half when Leicester crossed the ball to Knockaert in the box and his leap looked like seeing the ball go in the net again. Camp was going the wrong way at first but he turned mid-air and stretched out an arm to make a superb one handed save from the header. That kind of form is really a bit special and there is no doubt that lee is putting absolutely everything he has into his performances. I am pleased for the home fans that they have seen Lee in this kind of form because he was no less heroic at the Amex stadium on New Year's Day when he made an equal number of great saves.

Of course it would be even better if Lee saw a little less of the ball as far as the Cherries are concerned, but it is good to know we have one of the leading if not the best shot stopper in the Championship and AFCB's other keepers should be able to learn from his skill. It should also help our strikers be more accurate in their finishing during training because if they don't hit the target well enough, Camp will make the save. While AFCB lost the game against the Championship leaders, Lee really did make goal keeping an art form and it was worth the admittance just to see him pull off those incredible saves.

Just before you go, this is the 702 post on Cherry Chimes and it is the one year anniversary of the site which began on 3 February 2013. Thank you for your continued support and keep on reading - it's much appreciated. UTCIAD!

Finally, my friend Michael Dunne has also released his podcast on the last match against Leicester City so do visit All Departments to have a listen, or scroll down Cherry Chimes right side panel until you get to the All Departments' sound bar.

Ground staff's work is not to be forgotten

I thought the ground staff were the unsung heroes on Saturday. Having seen the match highlights of the mid-week game against Huddersfield and the awful weather that pounded down at Dean Court I thought it was a fabulous effort to get the game on against Leicester City. Yes, there was a lot of sand down by the bottom corner of the Family and North stand and all along the touchline, but the ball rolled reasonably well and there was some good football played on a pitch that could really now do with some sunshine.

No rest for the ground staff at Dean Court.

Luckily the wind did its job and dried out the pitch fairly well. The groundsmen were still out though before kick-off and at half time with their forks and I hope their work is being appreciated by the fans because we would not have had a game without them. 

To play attacking passing football though, AFCB do need a pitch that is flat and fast to really bring out the best in their game. But the winter will soon be over and the grass should start to see some recovery as we go into the spring. 

Match highlights from AFCB v Leicester City

Was it really fully over the line? AFCB 0 v 1 Leicester City

Match Report

AFCB 0 v 1 Leicester City

1 February 2014

Attendance: 10,719

The weather cleared up enough to get the game on.

There was only one major talking point in this game and it was a pretty big one. When Anthony Knockaert powered in his cross from the right wing in the 81st minute and the veteran Kevin Phillips rose, unmarked on the far post to head the ball, time almost stood still as Lee Camp made a desperate attempt to deflect the ball's path with a big left hand. His touch certainly slowed the ball down, which was still heading for the goal line, but did it fully cross the line before Elliot Ward made the clearance? I didn't have a clue sitting so far away in the Family stand. I don't believe the Mr Drysdale, the referee had a clue for most of the second half let alone what to make of this vital decision. At least he did go and confer with his assistant referee, while the Foxes were already celebrating in front of their fans. The goal was awarded and Leicester had claimed their ninth win in a row, while AFCB fans could feel desperately unlucky at conceding so late on.

AFCB and Leicester City before kick-off.

More pictures of the game can be viewed in the Match Day Gallery.

I was always told that the officials had to be 100 per cent certain to give a goal and if there is any doubt whether a ball crosses the line it should not be given. So the assistant referee had to be 100 per cent correct in his decision, yet there has been a lot of debate over what Lee Camp called "a very brave decision." Having seen the replay on the BBC Football League show and slowed it down frame by frame I am not convinced that the ball did cross the line fully, but there is only one man's opinion that counts. I am sure others will say it did cross the line - so take your pick.

Does this pick prove the ball was over the line,
sides as well? Sent in by Rob Johnson. I may have to change my opinion!

In fairness to Leicester City fans though their team was excellent and they had had several other chances to take the lead in this game, and it was only the stunning abilities of Lee Camp who was rightly named man of the match that held them at bay for so long. However, that is not to say that AFCB weren't in this game. They too look a much improved side and are starting to cause the big teams a lot of problems in this league. 


Eddie Howe made three changes to the Cherries who had been unchanged in their last three games. In came Ian Harte for the injured Charlie Daniels, while Ryan Fraser replaced Marc Pugh and Tokelo Rantie had a starting place instead of Matt Ritchie.

The conditions were gusty to say the least with the corner flag near the Family stand blowing towards the South stand and on the other side of the goal it was blowing towards the north stand. The pitch itself was bobbly in places with a fair amount of sand down in one corner and along the main stand. But that did not detract from what was an exciting game.

AFCB's tactics seemed to be to try and get Rantie running in behind at pace by feeding him lots of long balls over the top to run on to. O'Kane was usually the architect of the pass, but the ball always sped away too quickly. We had to wait quite a few minutes for the first shot which came from Andrew Surman's speculative drive that went high and wide over the corner of the cross bar.

AFCB won a corner the in the sixth minute as Ian Harte bent a good pass round for Grabban to run on to. Elphick had a header that was cleared only for AFCB to win another corner. This time Kasper Schmeichel won the ball but then seemed to drop it when trying to clear and was given a free kick.

Wes Morgan was doing a good job at keeping Rantie out, while Arter seemed slightly more forward than we have seen him in recent games.

Leicester were content to play on the break with Danny Drinkwater seeing a lot of the ball and feeding Vardy and Knockaert when he could who intern looked for Lloyd Dyer on the left wing. Dyer's cross was headed by Harte, but hit Ward and went out for a Leicester corner on 9 minutes. Drinkwater managed a shot but Fraser cleared.

Vardy was quick to capitalise when Harte missed a high ball and his cross caused more confusion in the Cherries box with Dyer having and air shot and Nugent's shot coming off of Elphick for another corner on 13 minutes, which O'Kane defended well.

AFCB broke well with Rantie getting in behind Morgan and running along the byline and when he pulled the ball back to Arter it looked like it would be a certain goal but some how the shot stayed out. The next bit of AFCB possession ended when Rantie was given offside. 

Leicester were looking equally dangerous with Knockaert slipping the ball to Nugent and he was working well with Vardy on the right side. When the ball came over to the other side of the box, Dyer had a great chance to put the Foxes one up but he shot against Camp's chest and it went out for a corner on 17 minutes. 

The threat grew larger a few moments later after Grabban had been flagged offside. Leicester came back on 19 minutes with Drinkwater slipping in Vardy who was clean through against Camp and while he blasted his shot towards goal it hit the underarm of Lee and bounced hard against the turf before bouncing off the bar and out for a corner. It was an amazing let off, but has to go down as a great save by Camp.

After the corner Ritchie de Laet put in a great cross for Vardy, but he missed the ball and Camp could make the save. AFCB were finding it hard to get their grip back on the game with Grabban not having his usual influence and Rantie chasing lost causes, while Arter was misplacing a pass or two. Another bout of Leicester play ended with Konchesky on the left playing the ball back to Vardy to have a shot from the corner of the box which Camp held onto well.

O'Kane was having a good game and was hoovering up the ball in the middle whenever it was loose. Surman too was working hard and made a good tackle on Drinkwater to regain possession, releasing Francis on the right who passed to Grabban to have a shot that was saved well by Schmeichel on 26 minutes.

Wasilewski was pulled up for a challenge on Rantie that gave AFCB a free kick. But it only resulted in a Leicester break with Knockaert's shot being deflected and Camp collecting the ball. 

Meanwhile, Francis was still trying to get Rantie away but Wasilewski was in charge. Before you knew it though, Vardy had been slipped in again and Camp half saved it or slowed the shot enough for Elphick to clear off the line when all the Leicester fans had been celebrating a bit early with 30 minutes gone.

AFCB had a free kick next on the left. Elphick won the first header but Ward could not get to the second ball. It wasn't working for Rantie either when he stood on the ball in the box a few moments later.

Leicester's next shot came from Dyer but it was wide of the left post. Konchesky was starting a lot of Leciester's moves off and was getting well forward on the left wing, while Knockaert was probably Leicester's hardest working player, chasing everything. At the back for Leicester Wasilewski was also looking very impressive with his clearances.

AFCB just could not get anything to work in that final third. When Francis put in a descent cross and Rantie headed it on, the ball just ran across the six yard area. 

Leicester on the break quickly got the ball to Nugent on the edge of the box when Arter put in a thunderous block. Nugent wasn't getting that many opportunities and he had a bit of smile on his face after that one. So it was 0-0 at half time, but keeping it that way was going to be difficult.

half time repair works to the pitch.

Second Half
Eddie Howe made a double substitution with Rantie and Fraser being replaced by Matt Ritchie and Yann Kermorgant, to huge cheers on Yann's debut. Play started a bit slowly with Grabban getting caught offside. AFCB did not get a couple of decisions and as the half progressed we would see more of that.

The touch of Kermorgant was pleasing to see as he took a ball down cleanly on his chest and turned to set up O'Kane, but AFCB's attack was stopped by a blocked shot on 50 minutes that went out for a corner. Leicester soon cleared, but Ward ended up with a yellow card for cutting across Vardy's run. Knockaert took the kick but it went well over.

The next main action happened on 58 minutes when Grabban had a shot that went just wide. This was followed by a Ritchie cross to Grabban and he missed his kick in a great position. Leicester went up the other end and Knockaert had a header that Camp acrobatically, with one had out at full stretched. An incredible save.

With an hour gone things were hotting up. While Arter was not getting the decisions I was already worrying about him. Sure enough he was given a yellow when he scythed down Knockaert on a run. Moments later it was Wasilewski that put an arm out to stop Yann Kermorgant on the left wing and he was given a yellow.

On 72 minutes Kevin Phillips came on and David Nugent went off. Surman soon won a corner then as Wasilewski cleared with a header in the box. Ward won the header and when it came out to Ritchie his shot was blocked. Yann Kermorgant was showing some good touches and was being closely marked by Morgan.

With 78 minutes gone Matty James was replaced with Andy King, although two minutes earlier he was going to come on for Knockaert. The goal came soon after Yann Kermorgant had been given offside. I had told those sitting next to me that if we lost this it would be cruel now having played well for 80 minutes, but Kevin Phillips is a born finisher and he is a proven match winner at this level. AFCB's real failing was to have no one close enough to him.

Pitman replaced Andrew Surman for the last eight minutes as AFCB looked to rescue a point. Sadly they could not muster much more with Ian Harte deciding to have a pop at goal from distance the best effort. Leicester ran the clock down with Vardy being replaced by Dean Hammond with a few minutes to go. Leicester then almost made it two with Elphick putting in a fabulous tackle to stop Phillips as he got into the box. The five minutes of extra time did not add much more drama to the game and Leicester ran out winners, while the referee had to be escorted off the pitch.

Mr Drysdale is escorted off of the pitch having made some poor decisions.

Camp had much to be pleased about his performance.

Leicester keep the winning run going.

Summary
While AFCB lost the game in a bit of a sickening way, there is no doubt that Leicester are the best Championship team and that they had a real game on their hands today. On other days Leicester could have been a couple up by half time, but by the end of the game they could have been trailing if the Cherries had managed to slip a player in. But there is one statistic that says what the difference is between these teams - shots on target. AFCB had one all match while Leicester had seven. Bournemouth had the possession but Leicester had the cutting-edge. I hope that Kormorgant can help the Cherries find that missing quality in the games to come.

AFCB:
Camp, Francis, Elphick, Ward, Harte, Fraser (Ritchie 45), Arter, O'Kane, Surman (Pitman 83), Rantie (Kermorgant 45), Grabban.

AFCB Ratings:
Camp 9, Francis 7, Elphick 8, Ward 7, Harte 8, Fraser 6 (Ritchie 6), Arter 7, O'Kane 7, Surman 7, Rantie 6 (Kermorgant 7), Grabban 6.

AFCB Subs:
Allsop, Cook, Smith, Pitman, MacDonald, Kermorgant, Ritchie.

Leicester City
Schmeichel, de Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Wailewski, Morgan, Knockaert, James (King 79), Vardy (Hammond 7), Nugent (Phillips 73), Dyer.

Leicester City Subs:
Hammond, King, Schlupp, Logan, Mahrez, Philipps, Wood.

Where do you think AFCB's points will come in February?

I can see why Eddie Howe does not like to look too closely t the fixtures ahead. February looks a very difficult month for picking up points, and the test really starts today with the visit of Leicester City. Table topping Leicester City have the momentum behind them and few teams seem able to stop them from scoring.

There are some big tests headed AFCB's way.

While all the pundits say you must win your home games it will not be easy against Leicester City or Burnley, but these are two games when AFCB really need to pick up points. Wins are going to be hard to come by but the gap to those below is not big and if the Cherries can inflict some damage on the big teams they will find their way to safety.

The away fixtures are especially hard with the long trip to Bolton  Wanderers next up and taking on a rejuvenated Derby Count under Steve McLaren. But these games will be all about finishing power in the last third of the pitch. Having gone to Reading and stuck away two goals there, AFCB must look to play similarly well now at these tough venues. There is no room for complacency if Eddie Howe wants to avoid a relegation scrap. 

The Cherries know what the Championship is all about now - time to push on.

A few points now would make it easier going into those head to head games against teams like Doncaster, Barnsley, Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall who are under even more pressure than the Cherries. The job has to be to put more stress on these teams now by securing a couple of wins in the next four fixtures. The Charlton game is also likely to be fitted in somewhere in February and that is one where it would be excellent to get three points and to do the double over them. If AFCB can do that we will well on the way to having another season in the Championship which would be job done for this season.

I believe the Cherries can take on the best teams now and stand a very good chance of beating anyone on the day so I am looking forward to the February games with some optimism - how about you? UTCIAD!

On or off at Dean Court today Mr Drysdale? (update)

Update: Pitch is currently playable but will be closely monitored if conditions worsen, say AFCB.  8.45am

Sadly, no more news apart from heavy rain would put the game at risk (Andy Mitchell Bmth Echo). 10.10am

I have to leave myself now - hopefully the game stays on or it is very unfair to travelling fans. 10.20am

Waiting for news if there is an early pitch inspection is just as nerve wracking if not more nervy than seeing the transfer deadline closing. It is of particular cruelty to me, lots of other exiles and probably a 1500 or so Leicester supporters as we have to get going if the match is on. Like most of then I don't want to get down to the New Forest only to hear the game is off so please do us a favour AFCB, get the referee to make an early decision.

Some clear skies would be nice.

I have a feeling that if the game does go ahead you will find that some of AFCB's players have made miraculous recoveries from mid-week. We know Eunan O'Kane likes to jump back up quickly from injuries and when he looks like he is out for weeks he suddenly appears ready to play. Against the league leaders AFCB will have to be at their very best so something is saying to me let's postpone this one. But another part of me wants to see a match, especially as the club has new signings. Of course, it won't be a dilemma in the end as the decision will be taken out of my hands and all of yours by one very important person Mr wait for it  (yeah it's in the headline)..... Darren Drysdale - you couldn't make it up, could you?

If the game is on it should be a cracker. Leicester won't becoming without a strong forward line and AFCB will want to destroy the leader's proud winning run. The rain will make the pitch really heavy and we have seen how Rantie looks superb in those conditions, while Yann Kermorgant will want to show why Eddie Howe was right to sign him. Grabban is also looking to run away with the goal scoring title this season.

Injuries to Ritchie, O'Kane and Daniels would make the team quite depleted. But we have a bit of strength in depth now. Harte performed admirably well mid-week and Steve Cook will be trying to win a place in the team still. MacDonald has also been used sparingly while Fraser and Pugh could be selected for the wings. I am not sure either if Adam Smith would come straight into the team, perhaps he'll be on the bench. The important thing is that Eddie Howe has options and if Leicester are in any way put off by the conditions after their trip down, AFCB just might be able to surprise everyone. 

I will update this post as soon as I know if the match is on or not.