Sunday, 5 July 2020

Bournemouth find themselves but are smashed 5-2 at Old Trafford

Match Report
Man Utd 5 v 2 AFCB
4 July 2020
United power their way to a big win over AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth needed luck to turn their way at Old Trafford. More than Anything, Eddie Howe wanted the team to win back a bit of respect. They got the perfect start when Junior Stanislas snuck in for a goal on 15 minutes. Then it all went wrong. Greenwood thundered in a powerful shot on 29 minutes and a handball by Adam Smith put United in front from a Marcus Rashford penalty. United really claimed the points though on half-time when Martial scored a delightful goal in the top corner to lead 3-1. The second half started with Bournemouth flying at United. The Cherries were awarded a penalty which Josh King scored. Danjuma also had a goal disallowed for offside, but that was as far as the comeback went. Instead, United upped their finishing and Greenwood fired in his second, before Fernandes wrapped the win up with a well taken free kick.

Eddie Howe picked a new defensive line up with Rico at left back and Kelly playing at centre-half. Stanislas also came in on the left wing for Danjuma. Lewis Cook came in for Billing, but there was no place for Gosling or Surridge in the starting eleven. Steve Cook was dropped, having picked up a hamstring injury and Chris Mepham was injured late, so Travers came in as an extra keeper on the bench. It didn't bode well with two keepers on the bench and no spare centre-half!
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Match Description
United soon got into their groove with Rashford making their first break. Mason Greenwood looked good coming forward on United's right side. 


Stanislas did well to rob Pogba. A long ball for King from Lewis Cook was well over hit though. Bournemouth pressed high with United trying to play from the back. It was good to see Ramsdale kicking long, after the way the first goal came about against Newcastle.

Rico and Stanislas are already linking well up the left. Matic runs into Solanke in his box but the Bournemouth striker can't make the most of it. Stanislas is getting forward well on the left, but can't get his cross in.

A quick ball from the left from Rashford to Fernandes has Bournemouth stretched and Kelly is a step or two behind, but Fernandes has wasted the shot over the top on 10 minutes.

Adam Smith makes a good diving header out. Bournemouth are defending in numbers. Lindelöf goes on a run and the ball bounces for him, so Ramsdale has to smother save. A switch to the far post from Adam Smith and Stanislas is on it, shot blocked and he's round the back and scores from narrow angle on 15 minutes. Maguire was completely done by Stanislas and de Gea beaten on his near post.
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Pogba has won a free kick. Ramsdale saves to the right from Rashford, corner. Lindelöf heads wide. Another corner for United. Brooks blocks a shot from Shaw. Ramsdale is out in front of Greenwood to make a save.

A Bournemouth free kick. Stanislas goes for another shot but hits it well over on the volley. Wan-Bissaka puts in a low cross and Kelly digs it out well. King on the break from Lerma's pass and Solanke can't beat Maguire. If he had, he was in.

Mata on the right, across to Greenwood and he's lashed it into the top corner to has equal the scores on 29 minutes. There goes Bournemouth's lead. They gave Greenwood too much space.


King battles well to win the ball. Stanislas is kept out. Lerma is in the book for a foul on Martial. Corner and Martial heads it and there's a hand in there from Adam Smith. VAR decision. Lerma tried to clear and the ball just hit Smith on his arm. It's a penalty.

Rashford to take and he makes it 2-1 in 35 minutes. A short run up and right in the bottom left corner.
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Bournemouth get in with Solanke and Brooks who finishes, but Solanke was just offside. United fortunate there with Maguire losing the ball. Lerma over hits a ball looking for King.

Kelly goes for a long throw. Matial is fouled by Rico. We haven't seen much of David brooks this afternoon. King is away and gets a corner. 


United are just holding possession now. Ferenandes hits a long pass and Shaw gets on it and hits the post, but he is offside. Three added minutes. A shot from Martial from the right and he's picked out the top left corner 3-1. Too much space again and Martial bends it in superbly.
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Second Half
Danjuma comes on for David Brooks and Bailly has replaces Lindelöf. Maguire loses the ball and Solanke runs through the United defence. It runs to Lewis Cook and it is saved Danjuma hits the post, but Bailly has handled the ball apparently. VAR us checking.

Penalty and Josh King has scored bottom right. Some 49 minutes gone and it's 3-2. Aké makes a good clearance. King is through and Danjuma would have made it 3-3  but he's offside! Time your run Danjuma!

Bournemouth are not out of this. Aké again closes the door but Greenwood has flashed another goal past Ramsdale 4-2 on 54 minutes. The ball rolled across Bournemouth's box and Greenwood hit it first time. VAR is checking for Rashford being offside, it's a goal.


Pogba has a shot blocked. Kelly fouls Martial on the edge of the box. It's a scoring opportunity. Fernandes finds the goal in off the left post. It's 5-2, but Ramsdale is arguing about the goal. There is an offside call VAR check against Matic, his heel looks offside. Still, the goal stands.
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Bournemouth have a corner. United defend it well. Kelly with the long throw Lerma misplaces a pass. Pogba into Wan-Bissaka, who crosses and Rashford scores. VAR is checking, offside. That one won't count.

Gosling is coming on and Harry Wilson and Philip Billing. Off go Solanke Stanislas and Lewis Cook. United bring on Fred for Matic on 67 minutes. 

Bournemouth have possession, but can't get a break. Danjuma is offside. United corner and King hits it towards his own goal, but Ramsdale has it. United sub Greenwood for Dan James on 75 minutes.

A Bournemouth throw and King almost gets on the end but de Gea is there. Stacey is getting ready to come on for Adam Smith on 77 minutes.

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Rashford puts in a cross that Martial can't reach or James. Kelly blocks off Martial well for a corner. James puts a ball back in, but it's gone out of play. Mata comes on for Martial. Ighalo is on for Rashford.

Kelly puts in a great tackle on James. Pogba goes long to Shaw and Ramsdale has to make a save. Bournemouth still passing out of their box calmly, despite being 5-2 down.

Ighalo has a chance but puts it wide. Got the wrong side of Kelly. United have a corner. Aké has to make a clearance. The crosses are still coming in on the Bournemouth goal. Gosling is tripped. Rico puts in a poor free kick.

Dan James is fouled by Gosling. Five minutes of added time go up. Ramsdale makes the save from Pogba top left corner for Ramsdale. Fernandes shoots and Ramsdale saves again.

It's teed up for Fred and Ramsdale saves well. Mata with a cross but Pogba is offside.

Summary
It seems silly but this 5-2 defeat was a vastly improved performance from Bournemouth. They just ran into the United steam train and got flattened with some superb strikes from United. The Cherries created chances and had shots on target. Okay, they were nowhere near getting a clean sheet. But Bournemouth entertained and found something of their true selves in this performance. They played with courage and tried to be positive. It is just a shame it has taken to the fourth game since the restart to have a go. It's points that count now though and no return means Bournemouth sink deeper into trouble.


AFCB line-up
AFCB Subs: 1 Boruc, 42 Travers, 17 Stacey, 4 Gosling,
6 Surman, 22 H Wilson, 29 Billing, 14 Danjuma, 
44 Surridge
AFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 4, A Smith 3, Kelly 5, Ake 6, Rico 4, Brooks 4, Lerma 4, L Cook 5, Stanislas 8, King 4, Solanke 4

Cherry Chimes MoM - Junior Stanislas

Ref Watch: Mike Dean 7/10- let the game flow well and didn't give out too many cards.

Man Utd
1 de Gea, 29 Wan-Bissaka, 2 Lindelöf (Bailly 45), 5 Maguire, 23 Shaw, 6 Pogba, 3 1Matic (Fred 67), 26 Greenwood (James 75), 18 Bruno Fernandes, 10 Rashford (Ighalo 80), 9 Martial (Mata 80)


Man Utd Substitutes
3 Bailly, 8 Mata, 15 Pereira, 17 Fred, 21 James, 22 Romero, 25 Ighalo, 39 McTominay, 53 Williams

Saturday, 4 July 2020

Rival Lines: "Our front five must be pretty scary for any opposing side!"

Rival Lines
Match Preview
Man Utd V AFCB
Blogger Interview - Old Trafford Faithful
Twitter: @OTFaithful

This week I spoke with Jordan Street from the Old Trafford Faithful website on the form of Manchester United ahead of the match with Bournemouth. United are looking stronger than ever with the inclusion of Bruno Fernandes who has scored five goals in eight games and the striking power of Anthony Martial who hit three against Sheffield United. They have had two clean sheets in their last two Premier League games so the Cherries are really up against a form side today.

CC: Are you surprised that Anthony Martial has suddenly hit the sweet spot in his scoring having had the first hat-trick for Man Utd in an absolute age?


OTF: I'll be honest, I am. I'm not the biggest Anthony Martial fan out there, though I appreciate he's a super-talented young man. Inconsistency has really hampered his growth over the last few seasons, but now with a manager in place who believes in him, perhaps he can take his game to that next level? I'm more than happy to be proven wrong!

CC: Marcus Rashford is the best role model in English football at the moment. But how has he done since the restart on the§ football field?

OTF: He's struggled, though we have to remember he was suffering from a pretty serious back injury before lockdown. I'm happy to give him another couple of weeks to get back up to speed before judging him too harshly, though!

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CC: What would be success for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season - FA Cup winners and fifth place? And is it good that the press have stopped talking about him losing his job?

OTF: I'm pleased that the press is off his back for now, because I genuinely believe he has been the best manager we've had since Sir Alex Ferguson.

To me, it's all about trophies. An FA Cup win would be lovely, while I give us a great shot in the Europa League, too. A top-four finish would be the icing on the cake as Champions League football is key when it comes to attracting those big-name signings.

CC: Do you expect Man Utd to make a move for either Josh King or David Brooks this summer?

OTF: I think the Josh King boat has probably sailed. I said it at the time, but there were definitely worse options available in January than the former United man.


As for David Brooks, I love watching him operate. It's a shame that injury has wrecked his season because he was outstanding last term. He definitely fits the player-profile that Solskjaer had shown a preference towards. He'd be pretty pricey, but it's a deal I'd fully get behind.
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CC: Where do Man Utd need to strengthen to become a challenger for the Premier League title next time around?

OTF: United need a world-class right-winger, another centre-half and some more depth in midfield - hence why I like the possibility of the versatile Brooks joining.

CC: What do you think of how Bournemouth have performed this season and their league position?

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OTF: I, like all Bournemouth fans I'm sure, are feeling pretty disappointed. The results and overall displays haven't been anywhere near the level I expected - though I appreciate injuries and behind-closed-doors situations (Ryan Fraser) haven't helped...

It's sad because I love Eddie Howe and the work he is doing down there. I just hope Bournemouth stay up!

CC: Which three teams do you think will go down?

OTF: I think Villa and Norwich are already gone. West Ham, Watford and Bournemouth are all in danger of finishing eighteenth and going down. Personally, I think it'll be Watford as the other two have so much quality in their ranks, but right now it's a toss-up...


CC: Bournemouth managed to beat Man Utd at Dean Court this season, so is this far from a gimmie for Man Utd at Old Trafford despite AFCB's recent poor away form?

OTF:  There must be something in those South Coast waters as we always struggle down there! Jokes aside, I feel far more comfortable with this game being at home, and we're playing pretty well right now.

No game is a gimmie, and United will have to perform, but I'm hopeful we can pick up all three points here, sorry folks!

CC: How would you expect Man Utd to line up for this game?

OTF:  As strong as we can. We need to win every single fixture to give ourselves the best shot at finishing in the top four.

David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial.

That's about as good as it gets for us right now, though that front five must be pretty scary for any opposing side!

CC: How many do you think Man Utd should win by?

OTF: Two? Three. I'll go for a 3-1 United win...

Well thanks Jordan for confirming that United are ready to get some revenge on AFCB. It is just about the worse time to play Man Utd at Old Trafford but the lack of a crowd may make it different for our players. Of course Bournemouth have not played well yet in an empty stadium and all the prospects are for a United victory. United have lost to Burnley at home in the league this calendar year so it is not impossible to win there. Still,  I fear for a drubbing in this game. Bournemouth can only go out and try and improve on their recent performances and at leasts try and get a few shots on targets, which has been woeful since the restart. Do take a look at Old Trafford Faithful for more news and views on the Man United team.

Man Utd Home Form
LDWWW

AFCB Away Form
LLLLL


Possible AFCB line up
AFCB Subs: Boruc, Stacey, Mepham, Rico,
Billing, Danjuma, H Wilson, Surrdige, Solanke
AFCBTV Preview

Friday, 3 July 2020

There's nothing much to like about this AFCB team

Eddie Howe bravely spoke after the game against Newcastle United. The players are said to be the best squad that Eddie has had under his leadership. Yet, they play like they don't know each other. The restart has been a disaster for AFCB in the first three games. Turning it around now could already be too late, but Eddie Howe might as well rip up the rule book for the next few game and start again. Why, because there is just about nothing to like about this team at the moment.
Josh King and Calum Wilson are unlikely to be around come August.
While the names are names we have grown to love over the years, and the new players have careers ahead of them, it is questionable why the team has not performed at all in the last three games. The form is now the worst in the league, and it is more than a slump, it is a perilous spiral that the team has found itself in. The early goals are no doubt part of the problem for this team. When they don't get the first goal they aren't able to see a way of getting back at teams. The towel comes in all too quickly, and Eddie has to change that mentality somehow.
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Against Newcastle, it was Bournemouth doing all the chasing. This was against a team that had the lowest possession stats in the league. The closing down was all too far after the event, as if the players were going through the motions, with no real desire to win the ball back. The steady defensive display in the first half against Wolves was nowhere to be seen against Newcastle. Clean sheets are a big factor in what will keep teams up and Bournemouth have the fewest in the league.

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Creatively, there was nothing much to shout about on Wednesday night. Dan Gosling's goal needed to come quickly after Newcastle's first to build confidence, but it won't have done anything coming as late as the 93rd minute. The damage had already been done and taking one off the goal difference isn't going to help that much, if AFCB can't get any points. Solanke has his critics but was unlucky not to score at the start of the second half. Had that gone in we might have seen a better second half performance.

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Going again is all that AFCB can do now. I am not sure that many fans can stomach much more of this though. AFCB need to make themselves hard to beat against the next three sides. How is that achievable I am not sure, but we have to hope that Eddie Howe has something up his sleeve, because we are nearly past the last chance now. This team mix is bad, and I am not sure Eddie has the players available in his squad to him to make them play any better. It's Man Utd next - dare you watch?

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - No zip for AFCB's players

No zip for AFCB's players

In his post-match interview with BBC Solent Sport, Eddie mentioned that the players lacked zip, even if they appeared fit. It was a statement that suggested the lockdown period had not been a time when AFCB had got the best out of the players and that perhaps other team had done things better. The team was playing with fight in March when they played Liverpool and the stoppage of play came at a time when Bournemouth were very much in games, but now they have only been in one close game against Wolves out of the last three matches. The defeat against Newcastle was embarrassing.

Where has the energy and fight gone?
Has the zip gone out of Bournemouth's season? I'd say yes. There is no bite or urgency for  players to get motoring down the other end of the pitch. One fan said things have gone stale under Eddie Howe. Perhaps they have become tired of his voice and are simply not able to respond in the way the manager wants anymore. Players may be trying but for whatever reason the zip isn't there.

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Would Bournemouth be playing as badly if they were higher up in the league, probably not. The relegation fight has consumed the players. They need to try and forget about what position they are in and just try and play the game. They have been like statues at times and transfixed by other teams who have just played around them and through them. It is almost like AFCB are having a bad dream or a nightmare and just don't know how to shake themselves out of it.

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When Eddie Howe's teams go on a losing streak, they often look totally bereft of ideas and unable to see how they can get out of the losing pattern. But there is something more niggling about this current poor run. There is not even a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. It is as if things need to be reset completely. A few heart to hearts might be needed with some of the players. Whatever the problems are they need to get them out in the open. To me only David Brooks looks somewhere near his normal self. The other players might as well be in a trance.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - First goal nightmare for Lerma

Thursday, 2 July 2020

First goal nightmare for Lerma

The match against Newcastle couldn't have got off to a much worse start than it did. I have felt at various points during the season that Bournemouth have been slow to learn from kicking long at goal kicks, when they can easily clear danger. Playing from the back patiently is okay when the players are confident, but at the moment it is a complication and if Ramsdale had kicked long rather than pass out to Billing, the Cherries wouldn't have conceded that early goal.
Lerma has a bad day at the office.
Instead the ball found its way out to Lerma and under pressure he slipped and lost possession. I don't feel that Lerma was the real culprit, it was the way Bournemouth chose to play that created the goal for Newcastle. They didn't minimise the risk and they gambled badly. Keeping a clean sheet had to be a priority, but gifting a goal set the momentum for Newcastle to rack up the big score.

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It was like the Crystal Palace game all over again. The players haven't moved on from that and crumbled again. The team has to take collective responsibility and at the moment you can only see individuals when you look at performances. The team is simply not functioning as a collective unit. Playing in an empty stadium is something that Eddie feels the players are finding extremely difficult, but if our players can't do it then here is little hope of staying up.

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The players need to accept that they are not going to score first in every game. They have only scored one goal in three games now, and at the moment having possession seems to be a problem for the players. The slow build ups and inability to play the ball forward has been more and more noticeable. The players have to get over this because they won't win a game before they do. At the moment the games are going to come very fast and it is going to be hard to pick the players up in time.

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Lerma's nightmare is symptomatic of a lot of things are happening to AFCB. You can call it bad luck, but I'd say it is more that the players can't see how they can get out of their predicament. It is pretty sad to witness. Good players that can't do the basics always looks depressing. The time is up for coming good and realisation could well be hitting the players that they are not as good as they thought they are.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth sign up for Championship football with 1-4 defeat to Newcastle United 

Bournemouth sign up for Championship football with 1-4 defeat to Newcastle

Match Report
AFCB 1 v 4 Newcastle United
1 July 2020

Bournemouth'c crunch game becomes a nightmare.
If this game was supposed to be the starting point for Bournemouth's climb out of trouble, it became more of a belly flop into the deep end. In just five minutes Bournemouth had given themselves the proverbial mountain to climb with Lerma losing the ball and Dwight Gale scoring easily. The confidence had gone for Bournemouth and worse followed when Allan Saint-Maximin danced his way around Adam Smith, before passing back to Sean Longstaff to put the visitors 0-2 up before half-time. While Lewis Cook offered a bit of energy in the second half, there was nothing to like about this Bournemouth performance. Almirón made sure of the result with a superb finish on 57 minutes and substitute Lazaro made it 0-4 on 77 minutes. Bournemouth offered nothing on target, until Dan Gosling stole on to stab home the ball 93 minutes into the game.

Bournemouth made four changes to their staring line up for this game. A second Premier League game was given to Lloyd Kelly, while Danjuma and Josh King returned, and Solanke also made the first eleven. Out went Callum Wilson who was suspended; Lewis Cook, Stanislas and Jack Stacey. At least Sam Surridge made the bench and Adam Smith had been moved to the right side of defence, while Billing overcame his dead leg from the previous match.
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Match Description
The Black Lives Matter salute was great to see before Bournemouth kicked towards the North stand. For a team that is not great at keeping possession, Newcastle were keeping the ball well at the start and Dwight Gayle almost nipped in before Ramsdale came out to collect a loose ball in the third minute.

Saint-Maximin gets to the ball after Lerma gives the ball away and it's an easy opportunity for Gayle and he finishes well on five minutes in the far corner. Ramsdale really should have kicked the ball long rater than give it to Billing. Bournemouth just put themselves under pressure and Lerma was the fall guy as he slipped.

Dajuma holds the ball up well on the left and pulls it back to Billing who shoots wide on eight minutes. Lerma misdirects a pass again. Newcastle win the first corner. Aké and Solanke clear.

Shelvey puts a long cross in from the right, Joelinton heads down but Longstaff skews his shot wide.

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Danjuma wins Bournemouth's first corner, after Brooks made a good pass from the right. The corner evades everyone. Saint-Maximin has a shot blocked.

Brooks is fouled by Manquillo on the byline. The ball comes out and Adam Smith knocks it back in, but Solanke scoops his shot wide on 21 minutes. Kelly picks up a yellow card for a foul on Longstaff.

Newcastle are playing with confidence and Kraft almost keeps it in, but just goes over the goal line to release the pressure on Bournemouth. Danjuma floats a cross but it's easy for Dubravka to claim ahead of King.

Saint-Maximin beats Adam Smith all ends up and passes back to Longstaff, who slams it in the roof of the net on 30 minutes. It's 0-2 to the visitors. Almirón replaces Longstaff on 33 minutes.

Shelvey has a shot form distance that Ramsdale gets behind to save. King and Brooks work the ball well in Newcastle's box, but King can't get a shot off and fouls his man. King wins a free kick on the edge of the box. Danjuma blasts it high and wide.

Steve Cook plays a cross field ball straight out of play. Two minutes of added time go up. Aké is booked for going into the back of Almirón.

Second half
Lewis Cook replaced Philip Billing at half-time. Lerma makes a good run Solanke's shot deflected hits the post and King heads in, but he is offside. Solanke so unlucky.

Lascelles falls from a jump against Solanke and hurts his shoulder. Ramsdale has to get down low to save form Saint-Maximin on 52 minutes. Corner to Newcastle. Brooks gets a corner after his cross is headed out.

Danjuma loses the ball to Saint-Maximin and Aké and Steve Cook get the challenges in to eventually get the ball back. Danjuma cuts in, Lewis Cook and Adam Smith hits a shot that is headed away by Lascelles.

Saint-Maximin on the break, across to Almirón, who makes it 0-3 on 57 minutes beating Akee and Ramsdale. Almirón just drifted across the box and picked out the top left corner - great goal for Newcastle.

Shelvey crosses and Steve Cook just gets ahead of Gayle to keep it from a fourth goal. Brooks cuts in and unleashes a shot, but it hits the cross bar on the hour.

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Newcastle sub Gayle for Andy Carroll on 61 minutes. Saint-Maximin is subbed for Lazaro. Harry Wilson and Stanislas come on for Danjuma and Brooks on 62 minutes.

Newcastle sub Manquilo and Joelinton.

Lewis King shoots wide from a free kick. Corner to Bournemouth. Harry Wilson crosses but it's to strong. Gosling replaces Lerma on 75 minutes.

Solanke is run off the ball when he had a chance and at the other end Shelvey slips in Lazaro who makes it 0-4. AFCB are humiliated.

Lazaro hits the bar form 25 yards and Hayden misses the rebound from seven yards with Aké in close attendance. Mepham replaces Steve Cook on 79 minutes.

Bournemouth have a corner but it is defended. Another corner and Gosling heads to King but his header goes over.

Stanislas has a free kick. Aké fouls the keeper.  Five minutes of stoppage time to go. Harry Wilson's shot is deflected for a corner. 

Carroll and Shelvey one-two, and Ramsdale has to make a save low to his right. Stanislas has a free kick in the Newcastle half. Aké heads on to Gosling who scores on 90+3 minutes.

Shelvey loses out on the edge of the box. That's it.

Summary
Where do we start? Eddie Howe keeps saying the team knows what to has to do, but there was nothing to like about this performance. The team pretty much capitulated as soon as the first goal went in which isn't good enough. Being humiliated at home should see a reaction, but I am not sure these players can pick themselves up. They are so far off the pace of where they need to be that it is hard to see how they can recover now. Bournemouth drop to second bottom and the goal difference has taken a big hit. This defeat is a hammer blow. Get ready for the Championship. So much for Eddie believing AFCb could win all seven of their games - they probably can't even win one of them.

AFCB line up
AFCB Subs: Boruc, Gosling, Mepham, L Cook, Stacey, Stanislas, Rico, H Wilson, Surridge
AFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 3, A Smith 2, S Cook 3, Aké 4, Kelly 5, Danjuma 4, Lema 2, Billing 3 (L Cook 5),
Brooks 6,  Solanke 3, King 3

Cherry Chimes MoM - David Brooks

Ref watch: Kevin Friend 5/10 - had little to do. AFCB made thier own downfall.

Newcastle Utd
1 Dubravka, 17 Krafth, 6 Lascelles, 18 Fernández, 19 Manquillo (Yedlin 73), 36 S Longstaff (Almirón 33), 8 Shelvey, 42 Bentaleb, 12 Gayle (Carroll 62), 9 Joelinton (Hayden 72), 10 Saint-Maximin (Lazaro 62)

Newcastle Utd Subs:
5 Schär, 7 Carroll, 11 Ritchie, 14 Hayden, 22 Yedlin, 23 Lazaro, 24 Almirón, 26 Darlow, 28 Rose

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - AFCB can beat Newcastle and win all their remaining fixtures

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

AFCB can beat Newcastle and win all their remaining fixtures

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is in no doubt that his team has not played as well as they can this season. He is not pleased that the club is in the position it finds itself in, with the worst form in the Premier League. Still, in his Newcastle United press conference Eddie reiterated that the players need to see their situation as a challenge and an opportunity to find their best form. If they can do that, they could well not only beat Newcastle, but they could win all seven of their remaining fixtures, he believes.

A day of reckoning awaits the red army tonight.
Eddie Howe is certainly not downbeat about Bournemouth's situation. He sees the next few games as the chance to act and Bournemouth's moment to take matters into their own hands. The message is certainly there that Bournemouth want to come out fighting and to deliver what they were unable to do in their first two games since the restart. Eddie Howe feels that just one win could give the players the belief they need to go on a winning run.


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Newcastle United are perhaps one of the best teams Bournemouth could be up against right now. They have done well already to get to 39 points and don't have to put their foot on the gas. Their form is strong with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United and a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Even the 2-0 defeat to Man City in the FA Cup was far from a poor showing. They are likely to be without Matt Ritchie, but Saint-Maimin has been as good as Traoré, who Bournemouth faced in their last game, Almirón has proved he can be a goal threat and even Joelinton has started to find the back of the net of late.

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Beating Newcastle would be a first step but by no means safety for the Cherries. A defeat would leave them struggling down river towards a waterfall, with little more than a twig as a paddle. The Cherries need to turn their boat around and Eddie Howe has given a rallying call to his troops. The team can't be in the same position in two games time. Now we have to wait an see if the players have finally taken the message on board.


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Away form Newcastle United
DDLLW

Home Form AFCB
WWDLL
Possible AFCB line up
AFCB Subs: Boruc, Francis, Rico, Mepham,
Gosling, L Cook, Danjuma,  Solanke, Surridge
AFCBTV Preview




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Cherry Chimes' July Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. The newsletter has a special story - Is a relegation season exciting to be involved in?

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