Can Gosling force his way into the team?

A few excellent Capital One performances have see Dan Gosling get a fair amount of acclaim, but he must want to see more of the action in the league and perhaps his time is coming. I can't guess all of Eddie Howe's thinking, but I'd hazard a little stab at one of the reasons to bring Dan to Dean Court was as cover for Harry Arter when he is either injured or accumulated a few to many yellow cards. While Harry is close to a suspension, he has been the player that Eddie Howe has shown tremendous loyalty to in the middle of the park, and it has been difficult for Dan to get the minutes he needs to really establish himself in the side up until now. 

I can see that changing though and the calls for Dan to play more of a part in the Cherries' are surely soon to be answered. The other players have done well to keep Dan from the front line for this long. It must be a decision though that Eddie Howe will be considering more as the team needs to keep finding quality passes to feed Callum Wilson up front, and Dan is one of those midfield players who is a good striker of the ball himself. The experience and skill that Gosling has should make him a strong candidate to start winning more game time now as he must be fit by this stage and is only lacking game time.

Dan may well find he is important for AFCB's push up the table now.

If Dan is not able to force his way into the team I have to start wondering whether it was a good decision to bring him to AFCB. If Dan has been carrying an injury then it has been kept quiet and that is not usually the case with the Cherries, so I can only assume that it is the competition that has been keeping Dan out of the first 11. But I would like to see more of the Brixham-born man, as he might just add another ingredient that helps takes this AFCB even further up the league.

Dan Gosling is the second highest goalscorer for AFCB behind Callum Wilson,
but is yet to score in the Championship.

Do you think Dan Gosling will be involved in either the Charlton or Reading games? Is he a player that you would like to see starting more often? You can add your opinion below on our comment box which is now linked up to MatchChat to make sharing stories easier with Retweeting, Google+ and Facebook  - please give it a try.

You can also Like:-) and  Unlike eek!!  :-( stories on the blog.

What we would give for two home wins?

AFCB go into the Charlton and Reading home matches knowing that six points would set them up very nicely for the rest of the month. getting two wins in a row though has proved pretty elusive and not just for AFCB. The league has not been kind to those who try and predict which clubs will go on a series of wins as some unpredictable results have already closed the top of the Championship up again.

Charlton players at the Goldsands last year on the first day of the season.

Both Charlton and Reading have been accumulating the draws of late that have slowed their progress, but I suspect that both of these teams will come to Bournemouth looking for a win. That should suit the Cherries more than some of the games where they have had to make all the running at home. Good teams though will look for chances to spring a surprise and if you look at the goals for columns, Charlton and Reading fall just behind the Cherries on 14 and 15 goals scored, respectively. That would indicate to me that these games will be close and are likely to be separated by just the one goal if there are to be any winners. While Reading have let in the most goals, Charlton have been really stingy in just letting in 10.

AFCB players warming up at Reading.

So one might expect Charlton to provide the more difficult opposition in trying to get a win over them, while a draw would seem a very likely result. With seven draws already to their name, Charlton are easily the draw specialists and that will have been noted by Eddie Howe. They simply don't give much away and AFCB have to be ready to stop those deadball situations which can give such teams the one clear chance they need to get a result.

While the Reading match may potentially be more of an open game, there is no guarantee and if AFCB have already lost to Charlton, the pressure will be really on our players to get the points in this second match. I expect Eddie Howe to look at the two games together though in terms of how he picks his team and taking the game to these two teams brings plenty of danger, but I don't think it really helps to play for draws at home at this stage of the season. Loading the team with goals is what Eddie needs and that will make his team selections really intriguing considering that Callum Wilson sits out on his own in the goal scoring charts, and Eddie needs to find more goals from somewhere.

If you are wonder what life is really like as an AFCB stats man, make sure you have a listen to all Department's podcast: Peak Performance with Garavan Stewart. either listen on the All Departments' website or scroll down Cherry Chimes' right hand panel and listen by hitting the sound bar. 

Has Rantie something to prove?

Tokelo Rantie wears the No9 shirt and he has been the club's record signing. That sum paid for him is thought to have been surpassed by Callum Wilson's arrival, but the South African is still looking to find away to become a more permanent entry on the team sheet at AFCB. Everyone wants Tokelo to be a success, but is his time best served by scoring goals in the Development squad and by playing international matches?

Has Rantie more to offer?

I like Tokelo as I can see he is a trier. More than that he loves the fans and is very open in acknowledging that he has been given a fantastic opportunity to improve as a player at the Cherries. However, I do wonder if his time could become more difficult in future months if he does not get to play more games. So far Tokelo has made six appearances for the club this season and four of those as a substitute. He did start in the first two rounds of the Capital One Cup, but has not made a 90 minute appearance. TK has also had an injury and came back well against Peterborough in a Development match, scoring four the other week, but I'd prefer to see him knocking on the door of the first team.

While Tokelo has been in the UK for more than a year now he has yet to make the impact that many of us hoped for. Eddie Howe has not looked to let him go elsewhere to learn his trade, perhaps as he feels his game will improve faster at Bournemouth. Yet, with a lack of game time there has to come a point when a loan move might be considered and the next window could be that opportunity, especially if it involved a loan player coming the other way in return. Tom Pope is the footballer in league One that is on many manager's lips, but the Port Vale striker is not going to be easy to dislodge. Eoin Doyle is another striker at Chesterfield who has been among the goals.

For South Africa there must also be some concern that TK is not getting much football, although he seems to be doing well in that environment, scoring in their recent 2-0 win against Congo in the African Cup of Nations. Incidentally, TK could be at the finals of that competition this coming January, which would keep him out of AFCB's squad for a while and would probably delay any potential loan move.

Has TK a more devastating side in front of goal?

But does keeping TK at AFCB as a sub, getting five minutes here and there really benefit him? The personal hardships that he has had settling down may mean that he is comfortable staying at Bournemouth and Eddie Howe is hoping that he has a breakthrough this season. It is a season when he supposedly has less pressure on TK, but I suspect that Tokelo feels pressure to perform just to keep his place in the Bafana Bafana team, and if he can get a run in the Cherries' side he could still turn things really around for himself. 

It's all about taking his chance and for TK perhaps believing that he is that No9 striker that AFCB have always wanted. With Yann Kermorgant out for a few games and a busy time ahead with the Capital One game against WBA, is it time that Rantie can show us what he really can do?

What's your opinion on TK? You can comment below.

If you are wonder what life is really like as an AFCB stats man, make sure you have a listen to all Department's podcast: Peak Performance with Garavan Stewart. Either listen on the All Departments' website or scroll down Cherry Chimes' right hand panel and listen to the sound bar. 

The Capital One Cup could be special for the Cherries

Today, the tickets for the West Brom home tie in the Capital One Cup fourth round go on general sale. I am hoping that there are lots of fans who want to try and see AFCB progress in this cup competition and make some history. The draw for the fourth round of the Capital One Cup did not make me think it was a fabulous draw for the Cherries, but a descent draw which they have no need to be afraid of. The importance of playing at home is obviously just what Eddie Howe will have wanted even if the current Dean Court form is not as good as might be. However, if the Baggies think they are already through to the quarter finals they do so at their peril as AFCB are unlikely to take this game lightly. 

Can AFCB stretch the Baggies and get into the fifth round of the Capital One Cup?

There is now enough room between fixtures that AFCB can play pretty much their first team against WBA. It may seem unfair on some of the players that have played in the competition so far for the Cherries who might not even get on the bench for this match, but fans should want to see the team that has the best chance of progressing their out on the pitch. AFCB are going to be within touching distance of a massive prize if they make the last eight, and to manage that in a national cup competition would be a real statement that the team is now starting to close in on those in the top league. It may not matter to many whether AFCB go any further if they can beat WBA, but to beat a team like the Baggies at this stage of the competition is a challenge that really should mean something to the players.

While AFCB came close to winning through in the FA Cup two season's ago against Wigan, it would seem that a win against WBA would open many peoples' eyes to what is happening down on the south coast. It's not just the Saints that are playing good football and it would be great to register a big result against a Premier League team as such a result would be a massive confidence boost for the club's Championship campaign.     

Will Bolton win prove to be the catalyst for AFCB's season?

The immediate reaction to the win at Bolton from the manager was to hope that such an important result might inspire the team to get on a consistent run. The performances have been stop and start and, at times, the Cherries have looked one of the best and at others, one of the struggling teams when throwing away leads. Yet, for all the problems the Cherries find themselves only six points outside the top six and few good results would see the team start to impose itself higher up in the league.

All thoughts on Charlton now as AFCB prepare for their next league match.

It is the positivity that Eddie Howe will look to hold on to after the Bolton game. A defeat would have kept the Cherries down at around 15th, so the win has done a lot to lift the spirits. No team is running away with the Championship yet and the Cherries have a set of games coming up that could propel them back towards the pace-setters. Home wins will be essential and the team has to start getting the goals at home.

The strength of the squad is starting to pay dividens as Charlie Daniels and Ian Harte are both pushing each other and we still have not seen much of Dan Gosling or Shaun MacDonald yet. Eddie Howe is still playing much of the same team as last season and it is up to those on the edge to force their way into Eddie's thinking.

Whether more points on the board now give the team a chance to play with more confidence is up for debate, but the Cherries are putting themselves back in the running and while there are improvements to be made I think supporters can feel optimistic as we go into the winter period of games.
  

I am half way through reading Roy Keane's book and have just a released a new football News Hub story this week entitled:
'Roy Keane and Andrea Pirlo - understanding the midfield maestros'.

Ritchie is a player that Howe must aim to keep at AFCB

It was pleasing to see Matt Ritchie have such a positive attitude in the Bolton match. He can blow a bit hot and cold, but he seems to be finding a level of performance now that could keep him in the side for a considerable time. If he can do that then the goals for him will surely come.

Matt Ritchie is starting to find the consistency that we all want him to deliver.

What Ritchie has also been doing better than others on the right is in integrating his work so well with Simon Francis. He seems to know when Francis wants to dart up the wing and his ability to find him with a pass is now consistently higher than it was at the start of the season. If there is a mark on Ritchie's game it is in defending and cutting out those loose passes in the middle of the park, but going forward it is hard to pick another AFCB player that shows more skill and flare.

The other pleasing part about his performances from what I can see is that he is getting his head down and really trying to prove that he is the best right winger to wear the shirt. It is going to be difficult for the wingers to start regularly, but I expect Ritchie will be vying for the most appearances on the wing perhaps with Marc Pugh come the end of the season.

Once Ritchie starts to get a few goals as well, he is likely to be one of the players that can help AFCB get into those play-off places. He is certainly a confidence player and when he is on his game, he can be AFCB's most exciting player. He is expressive and a talent but Eddie has to keep him pushing those boundaries as when he falls short he can slipped well below the levels that we like to see. 

While I have heard from some quarters that he is a player that may not promote harmony in the dressing room all the time and is likely to be a top target for other teams in the January window, I don't see him having anything to gain by seeking a move as he has become a mainstay in this team. Teams like Derby County who have registered an interest in Matt over last summer will be pushing for promotion and it is essential that the Cherries keep the wins coming to stay in contention with such teams come January as they are likely to look to strengthen. AFCB like other teams needs some strong characters and Matt is surely part of the future that Eddie Howe is building up at the club. 

Old Plymouth v AFCB programme is another for the collection

I can see I have started something here with old programmes. When everyone in the family knows that you are an AFCB fan, they kind of know that the addiction needs feeding now and again. So when my brother-in-law and partner went down to Plymouth for a weekend and they visited a car boot sale, it was rather lucky for me that they saw a guy selling old football programmes, and among them just happened to be one AFCB v Plymouth Argyle match programme from Friday 12 April 1974.

The front cover artwork does not carry a name,
but I imagine a graphics company
such as Peter Grainey was involved. Perhaps
one of you knows?

I am told that it did cost my brother-in-law more than the cover price of 10p to buy, but whatever he paid I am pleased that he picked it up for me.

The mid-1970 covers are some of the most iconic that AFCB have ever had. The back cover of Cosy Coaches was drawn by Mr Peter Grainey and I believe the business is still going in Castle Lane West. Apparently Martin Grainey of Peter Grainey Graphics did the artwork for Led Zepplin's 1975 concerts at Earls Court, London.

While spotting a youthful Harry Redknapp on page two I was soon drawn to the players who took part in this match which include Paul Mariner who had been signed from non-league Chorley and was in his first league season. He who went on to become an England international and league winner with Ipswich Town. 

By complete coincidence, the programme has a From the Chair lead column in which assistant Cherries manager, Reg Tyrrell had been dismayed by the low turnout of of 2839 for a testimonial match for Arthur Cunliffe, Tommy Mitchinson and John Meredith, and he implored Bournemouth supporters to come to the next testimonial that would see the late Sir Bobby Robson bring his Ipswich Town side to Dean Court on 30 April 1974.  Paul Mariner was to join Ipswich Town just two years later in 1976.

Harry Redknapp in his prime at AFCB.

Another Plymouth player who must have been well-known to the crowd was their goal keeper Jim Furnell. Jim Furnell had played for Arsenal in goal in the 1968 League Cup final against Leeds Utd. The Plymouth team were managed by Tony Waiters at the time.

Plymouth Argyle team in 1974.

Bournemouth's side included a Bobby Howe as well as Harry Redknapp but it was all a bit before my time as a supporter. What I was interested to see was that Bournemouth were top of the Football Combination League at the time, while in division 3 they were lying in a healthy sixth place compared to Plymouth's 19th position. Bournemouth had lost the earlier November fixture between the two sides at Hope Park by 2-0, and in this match they drew 0-0. Bournemouth ended the season in 11th place and Plymouth finished 17th. Trevor Hartley was managing the Cherries and he had a brief spell in 1987 at Spur's caretaker manager.

Beauty pagants were all the rave!

AFCB Team in April 1974 - looks like there is still a place for one of us to be the sub.

Some of the advertising in the programme was a bit risque in that Alan Dee was suggesting that you beat the cold with one of his sweaters but used a nude lady cuddling up to a fire to prove the benefits of his sweaters, while on page three it was that period in history when Miss AFC Bournemouth was a prized competition with a cash prize (no figure given), and the chance to be a guest at the Maison Royale or the Dormy Hotel - but just for an evening out!

Not sure about the lady on the beat the cold advert.

Well that's the end of my review for this programme, but keep looking our for the past match programmes in the MatchDay programmes this season and see what you can find out about past players and our club. If you have a copy of the Rotherham home programme from this season you'll find the 1973 AFCB v Rotherham programme inside and it is interesting to compare it to the Plymouth programme here just one year later. If you did not pick up that programme AFCB has put it free online today. In 1973, it seems that the Bay City Rollers were the band to follow as the AFCB programme covers then bare a resemblance to the Scottish band's look, even if it took another year before they started getting hits.

AFCB covers from 1973 went a bit logo mad with the
the then fairly new crest. This programme can be
 found in the Rotherham MatchDay programme from
 this season and AFCB has put that programme online today free.