#AFCB 1 v 1 #ITFC

So - the albatross family was back. Having missed the Yeovil romp and 3 goals at the North Stand end I feared the worst

In my head I KNOW that what an individual does or wears or even eats before a game has NO bearing on the result but in my heart me not being there Boxing Day was indeed the catalyst for such a fine win.

This was further reinforced as Ipswich came out like they'd all got bmx bikes from Santa Mick and were keen to pay him back.

Like a rash they were all over AFCB and Bournemouth just couldn't get their foot on the ball

Worse still was that their constant pressure resulted in them getting corner after corner and with the obvious height advantage they had it was really backs against the wall for the first 15 minutes

It took that long for Surman to fire over as AFCB's first shot but within minutes their keeper was in action with 2 further fine saves from Fraser then Grabban

We had weathered the storm and, growing in confidence, we started picking up the second ball more and more and started to take a grip on the game.

Not that Ipswich were out of the game - in a curious turn of events, Bournemouth dominated for a few minutes then Ipswich would have a run of play

Rather like a gentleman's excuse me the teams decided to take turns, the difference being that while the visitors' passages of play revolved around hopeful corners, Bournemouth were cresting real chance after chance

Even if you discounted the half a dozen good build ups that were ruined by poor final balls, by half time the game should have been in the bag

It was another game when you start thinking - is this going to be Birmingham all over again?

Sure, their keeper was having a fantastic game ( isn't it about time we came up against a poor keeper? :-) ) but at this level chances just have to be taken

Grabban was regularly hitting the target and there was a delightful O'Kane chip that had the keeper scurrying back to tip over brilliantly but the most glaring of misses fell to Fraser

On his own on the left hand side of the box when the ball found him, the keeper hopelessly out of position he swung his left peg at it and fired the ball high and wide

A real head in hands moment and one that helped keep the half time score at 0-0

The second half started with both Ritchie and Fraser putting in an early audition for the new series of Splash

Yes there was some "contact" but when you go up before you go down, with back arched and your BAFTA acceptance speech hidden in your jock strap no ref is going to give it - moving on ....

Grabban was in the thick of the early action with a shot from an tight angle well saved and if his cross to Fraser hadn't been miraculously cut out after a fine break then surely Fraser would have made amends for his earlier indiscretion

Then on 58 minutes came the sucker punch

A free kick awarded in the Ipswich half was pumped forward 45 yards to the edge of the Bournemouth box

Despite the long hang time of the ball, their attacker was able to chest the ball, unchallenged, into the path of their right winger

His cross through the box was met on the half volley by Murphy into the empty net

Bugger - yet another home game where all the stats were in our favour EXCEPT the important one : 0-1

This prompted Pitman coming off the bench to replace the largely innocuous surprise entry McQuoid and on 66 minutes the change almost paid off

A Pitman run ( yes you read that right) moved the defence around enough for Fraser to have the space and confidence to cut in from the left and smash the shot goalwards but it felt that Gerken (worthy of a name check) was not to be beaten

That was to be Fraser's last piece of action as he was replaced by Pugh and it was Pugh's first touch that was to turn the game on its head

A typical Pugh mazy run actually had some end product as the ball was crossed in and up Pitman went.

True, he didn't get the ball and true, he ended up on his arse but at least it was a challenge that had the keeper flapping and the ball was cleared to the edge of the box

There was Surman to smash the ball into the bottom right but again the keeper got there but he couldn't hold it

Up sprang Pitman like a jack-in-the-box on steroids to smash the ball from close range into the roof of the net

The record crowd, who incidentally had been brilliant throughout the game, went nuts

With 16 minutes to go we really had the momentum to do the unthinkable and turn the game around

Just 3 minutes later the transformation was complete - or so we thought

A Ritchie cross from the right had Pitman jumping for the ball and under that pressure - the keeper threw the ball into his own goal, only for the ref to disallow it

He seemed to suggest it was for hand ball but that was just not the case - nor was it a foul on the keeper

What it was, was a very poor decision that spared the blushes of a keeper that had been having a great game

I think there's a lot of truth in belief that you make your own luck and things balance off all through the season and if that's the case - we're in for the luckiest half of a season ever

Pitman had another header that just went wide and Surman's long range shot was well saved (again) but despite all the chances it wasn't to be

Final Score 1-1

Summary: Another fine performance marred by not taking the chances that we create.

I see many tweets form opposition supporters saying how well we play and how much they enjoyed watching us

Easy to say when they've taken points off us. We need to be the team everyone hates to watch because we turn these match winning performances into actually winning the match

We are SO close I can almost taste it - can't wait for Brighton - with every game we learn more about ourselves and get better - at least I hope so......

Star Man : O'Kane - yet another startling performance where he is on first name terms with every single blade of grass

The North Stand

The Main Stand

The South Stand

Travelling Ipswich Support

The East Stand

#afcb 0 v 2 #bcfc

The team was announced and it was the same as at Reading

A brave decision to play one up front but heck - the current system has not been working in the past so maybe it was what was needed

I hoped that the crowd would give it a chance and they did not let me down

The game started with a roar of noise and Birmingham set into their formation of sitting back

Two minutes into the game and Cook had an hallucination.

For a split second, he wasn't at DC but at the Nou Camp and he was Messi - so off he set on a mazy run of dazzling footwork

No, I wasn't hallucinating too - what actually happened is he ran  past one, got tackled by the second and Birmingham were on the attack with the AFCB defence hideously out of position

One pass through down the right had a man bearing down on goal

His low cross was met on the 6 yard box by Shinnie and he crashed it into the roof of the net

Camp had no chance - 2 minutes in and one nil down - brilliant

Although a little "surprised" by Cook's meandering and the resultant goal the crowd were excellent and the roar got louder

AFCB clearly thought the goal was just a blip and rose to the challenge

On six minutes Pugh's side footed shot was well saved and the pressure was really on Birmingham 

Wave upon wave of attacks now crashed on their defence from both left an right and Grabban continued his excellent work up front from the Reading game

Arter and Surman then both had good shots blocked amongst many chances before Francis was lucky to get away with handling in the box on 24 minutes  The penalty was clear but not given - maybe this was the break we'd been waiting for?

No

Despite more pressure, it was Birmingham who scored next, again

I'd like to say it was brilliant play and there was nothing we could do about it

But that wasn't the case

More of the f*****g arseing about at the back that has plagued us since the Groves era had us just surrendering the ball the ball at the back

A quick ball had Zigic through on goal and, with ease, he slipped the ball under Camp to make it 0-2

Two chances and two goals - Bournemouth had many more chances already and ZERO goals - this is the difference between us and seemingly the rest of the league

This was now a mountain to climb but grappling irons on, AFCB took to the challenge

The play was all in the Birmingham third and 1 minute from time the best chance of the half fell to Grabban

An inch perfect ball had him through one on one and with just the keeper to beat, he prodded the ball wide

It wasn't a save, it went wide........

There was still time for Pugh to force a smart near post save but for all the pressure, Bournemouth went in 2 down

My daughter's Swindon supporting boyfriend was with us at the game and there was no gloating - I was going to regret that, I just knew ...

The second half was in the same vein as the first with ALL the attacking play coming from Bournemouth 

Fraser had come on for Surman and so that had given us even more impetus

If either O'Kane or Arter had the nads to shoot after long long runs rather than passing in the first 10 minutes then who knows what might have happened

On 58 minutes another Ritchie free kick had the keeper make a sprawling save and the ball was parried into the middle of the goal

As usual in our run of luck in front of goal, there was no-one there just for the easy knock in

The pressure on Birmingham was relentless with Fraser, Cook and Grabban, amongst other chances, all going close with shots and headers but the keeper just wasn't going to be beaten

The best chance came in the 90th minute when a Pitman back heel put Fraser through, only for the keeper to make a brilliant point blank save

From that save, the ball spooned up and Rantie headed it goalwards, only for the keeper to somehow get up and tip the ball over

Unbelievable

Final score 0-2

Summary - Bournemouth won at Reading because Reading pressed forward to score and we hit them on the break - using the main asset we have - pace

ANY team that sits back and plays to hit US on the break cannot be beaten like that

For those teams, you need pace and guile on the wings, which we have and used brilliantly today

The second part of the puzzle, to compliment this wing play, is someone in the middle who has some aerial prowess - which we don't have

It seems so obvious. It's like building a car without any wheels

In our team we've built a goal creating machine - but forgot to get the scorer 

Birmingham weren't "awful" as some subscribe - they merely came with a plan, stuck to it, defended well and left laughing their bloody heads off

Without this front man, the DC crowd should steel themselves to get used to that laughter

Were we the better side - yes.  Did we play well - yes. Will that be a consolation in league 1 - no

I firmly believe that with a proper front man that can challenge for these million crosses per game AFCB would be challenging for play-offs rather than home defeat after defeat - such are the fine lines between success and failure

Star Man O'Kane - outstanding in the middle in both attack and defence

Away Fans

East Stand

South Stand

Main Stand

North Stand

#rfc 1 v 2 #afcb

We found Callaghan's bar 25 minutes before it opened - bugger. Still there was a chippy just over the road and bloody good too

The last time we did chips before a game was last season before Milton Keynes - lightning doesn't strike twice though, does it .....?

We found our seats and realised we had been "rewarded" for getting our tickets early by having front row seats - thanks Reading...

Still, on the upside we were so close to the players that if I'd had scissors I could have finished off Matt Ritchie's haircut - damn those stewards...

To be honest I wasn't holding out much hope as we faced our second hoops in a week but I did think it was a nice touch for the catering staff to be wearing t-shirts with AFCB on them and they were showing an AFCB DVD on the TV’s

The game started and the Reading fans sang - wow

Their noisy stand was right next to us and they were loud and organised

So loud that it drowned out our singing to the point that it almost intimidated our ring leaders into not singing - almost, but not quite

Reading started very much on the front foot and forced a series of early corners, mostly taken by Guthrie - a man with a haircut from Ritchie's barber's gardener (you tokkin to ME?)

There were a lot of last ditch tackles and even a clearance off the line but AFCB remained organised and focussed and kept the onslaught out

Then on 24 minutes, AFCB had their first chance

A move on the right had the ball pinged to Surman and he ran at the defence

As it opened up invitingly the perennial lack of confidence showed again and instead of shooting, he tried to cut back inside and was cleverly tackled

But this was better. There was finally an ebb and flow to the game with both teams looking to push forward

On 35 minutes we had a glimpse of the astounding performance to come as Grabban received the ball with his back to goal

A fantastic swivel made the yard he needed and he fired the ball over

He saw the goal and he SHOT - let's all take a minute to think about that

Two minutes and that hope was raised to hysteria. Ritchie was fouled out on the right and Daniels sent an inviting cross over. A bundle of players went up and the ball was headed down and McCarthy made a fantastic save to his left

As the ball came out 3 defenders rushed to the line as Grabban pounced and crashed the ball into the roof of the net. It was the ONLY place the ball could have gone in – a proper poacher’s goal. 2238 fervent Cherries fans went mad

Now in full voice, apologising to no-one, the Red Flag was Flying

On 42 minutes, even those fans’ wildest dreams were surpassed

Good work on the left had the ball eventually at Ritchie’s feet and he cut inside and unleashed a ferocious right foot shot into the bottom left corner to make it 0-2

This time the AFCB fans just went NUTS. Row A where we were sitting all of a sudden had 3 times more people in it as the whole crowd sang “2 nilllllll on our big day out” – a justified come back hahaha

Half Time came at the wrong time for AFCB as it gave Adkins time to regroup and the pattern was set.

Reading were to throw everything they could at Bournemouth, while Bournemouth soaked it up and hit on the break

Cometh the hour, cometh the man

Grabban – much maligned, by me, was a revelation – a different player.

His control was faultless, he ran with and without the ball, held the ball up, brought others into game and was an all round pain in the arse for the whole Reading team

He was a PROPER striker and not only that, but he looked like the role of lone striker was MADE for him. Where has he been all season?

I hope to God he’s here to stay and that his energiser Bunny batteries never run out

Through his tireless play Bournemouth had a string of fantastically cavalier counter attacks, breaking at lightning pace

That’s not to say this was a one man show – he was ably backed up by the rest of the team and for me another player that finally stepped up to the plate was Surman

Head and shoulders his best game for Bournemouth he marshalled the midfield both in attack and defence as we at last built a bridge between the midfield and the front man

It made all the difference as even though we were under the cosh for periods of the second half, the breaks we created were FAR more dangerous than the efforts being produced at the other end

Pugh (x3), Grabban and Surman were all put through with sublime defence splitting passes but were just enable to beat the impressive McCarthy

Even Fraser had a headed (no I couldn’t believe it either) chance go just over as Daniels flew down the left and crashed the ball at the keeper who parried it onto the on-rushing wee man’s head

The Reading fans were getting nervy now and took it out on one AFCB fan wearing a blue jacket

“Who’s the w****r, Who’s the w****r, Who’s the w****r in the blue!!”

Then to a man, ALL AFCB fans realised the flaw in that plan replying:

“You’re the w****rs, You’re the w****rs, You’re the w****rs in the blue”

To see 4000 heads drop down to their replica shirts and think, “oh shit” was PRICELESS

Reading did have a chance headed off the line on 77 minutes but that was as close as they got up until the 1^st minute of the 4 extra.

It was a shame that half the Reading crowd missed it as they had already filed out (fire-drill) but their right winger ran with the ball from the touch line right across the box, riding 3 tackles and smashing the ball goalwards

The ball ricocheted and fell nicely for Le Fondre, who coolly slotted it home

In that past that would have caused panic through the ranks – but not this time. Having actually learned at this level, the last 3 minutes were spent in the corners

No frills, no chances taken, a clean professional finish

Final score 1-2

Summary – By far the best I’ve seen Bournemouth play this season. Still sat back a little too much for me but we broke so quickly and cleverly and finally played like a team which knows what they want to do and how to do it

Star Man – Grabban – Jaw droppingly good

 

#qpr 3 v 0 #afcb

These are the games I've been looking forward to. If you can't feel upbeat about playing a, let's face it, Premiership Club, what can you look forward to?

Even drinking in Shepherd's Bush sounds and feels better than little pub in Exeter - it almost seemed magical - yeah ok I've gone too far...

The game started with Bournemouth creating a wall of noise. This is what we wanted - a 12th man to raise the spirits - and with the negative side that was announced, we were going to need all the help we could get.

The first chance fell to QPR on 10 minutes when a cross from the right found Austin's head miles out yet he still managed to get enough power to make Camp tip it over

Barton was already designated as the villain of the piece and he was well drilled to niggle at Arter and as expected, Arter didn't just take the bait but ate the whole bloody rod and tackle

A lash out seemed to rake down Barton's calf but luckily the ref didn't punish or perhaps believe, the offence

On 24 minutes Bournemouth had their best moment as a MacDonald back heel sent Surman through and after a smart 1-2 he was through and only a shot from a chocolate teapot of a left peg spoiled the move

Two minutes later and the deadlock was broken

A ball over the so-out-of-form head of Francis had their winger scampering to the by-line and he crossed into the middle

If it had been the other way around the cross would have found no-one, but instead Austin was there

Instantly controlling the ball on his chest he poked the ball past the on rushing Camp to put QPR 1-0 up

Then the unexpected. With 3 sides of the QPR library to celebrate with, he chose to stand and mock the Bournemouth faithful

Why? Had we not wanted to sign the local lad but couldn't because of the embargo?

I expected us to struggle at Loftus Road - but I hadn't expected that

Four minutes later he went from disliked to hated as he waved an imaginary card to the ref after Elphick had slid in and the ball hit his hand

He even put the ball on the spot to push for a pen even though the tackle was way outside the box - what an arse

The rest of the half was even enough but with just Pitman up front with no support from the midfield, we were never going to score and didn't even threaten 

At half time the team of a gazillion years ago was paraded to more crowd noise than was made during the first half - rivalling Forest as the team most living in the past

In the second half. We didn't know it at the time, but 3 minutes in we all witnessed the pivotal moment

Pitman was found in the right corner of the box and he cleverly turned his man

Then, instead of crossing to the unmarked MacDonald standing on the 6 yard line, he tried a one in a million shot to the left top corner which only just remained in the stadium

Why - just why?

Six minutes later and it was 2-0

A cross from the right should have been meat and drink for Francis but instead Hoillet nipped in front of him, then went past him before passing past Camp - just too easy

We were clearly second best with next to no chance of scoring yet there were no substitutes

We go 2-0 down and we suddenly go 2 up front with a double substitution - TOO FUCKING LATE, AGAIN

Fraser even made an appearance with 20 minutes to go to use up all 3 - but really, what was the point?

In fairness we did play a little better but if we are going to play Rantie yet ignore all the runs he makes, we might as well play me up front 

The game was finished off by Phillips with 14 minutes to go as he collected the ball 30 yards out, ghosted past the defence, on his OWN, and smashed it past Camp, to make it 3-0

Summary - 3 things come to mind, the first is that I wanted to hate Barton - but I couldn't. He looked 1 possibly 2 classes above anything we had to offer

The second is that watching Bournemouth at the moment is like watching your child in the nativity play. You are pleased to be there and whoop and cheer over the slightest thing but ultimately you know all in all it's a bit shit

The third and possibly most important point is that if I have to shout "Get in the FUCKING BOX" any more ones than that - I will be sectioned in the hoarse tourettes home of Poole

Star Man - Me - and I accept it on behalf of the magnificent travelling support who out sung the QPR support for the full 90 minutes

#qpr 3 v 0 #afcb

These are the games I've been looking forward to. If you can't feel upbeat about play a, let's face it, Premiership Club, what can you look forward to?

Even drinking in Shepherd's Bush sounds and feels better than little pub in Exeter - it almost seemed magical - yeah ok? I've gone too far...

The game started with Bournemouth creating a wall of noise. This is what we wanted - a 12th man to raise the spirits - and with the negative side that was announced, we were going to need all the help we could get.

The first chance fell to QPR on 10 minutes when a cross from the right found Austin's head miles out yet he still managed to get enough power to make Camp tip it over

Barton was already designated as the villain of the piece and he was well drilled to niggle at Arter and as expected, Arter didn't just take the bait but are the whole bloody rod and tackle

A lash out seemed to take down Barton's calf but luckily the ref didn't punish or perhaps believe, the offence

On 24 minutes Bournemouth had their best moment as a MacDonald back heel sent Surman through and after a smart 1-2 he was through and only a shot from a chocolate teapot of a left peg spoiled the move

Two minutes later and the deadlock was broken

A ball over the so-out-of-form head of Francis had their winger scampering to the by-line and he crossed into the middle

If it had been the other way around the cross would have found no-one, but instead Austin was there

Instantly controlling the ball on his chest he poked the ball past the on rushing Camp to put QPR 1-0 up

Then the unexpected. With 3 side of the QPR library I celebrate with, he chose to stand and mock the Bournemouth faithful

Why? Had we not wanted to sign the local lad but couldn't because of the embargo?

Is expected us to struggle at Loftus Road - but I hadn't expected that

Four minutes later he went from disliked to hated as he waved an imaginary card to the ref after Elphick had slid in and the ball hit his hand

He even put the ball on the spot to push for a pen even though the tackle was way outside the box - what an arse

The rest of the half was even enough but with just Pitman up frot with no support from the midfield, we were never going to score and didn't even threaten 

At half time the team of a gazillion years ago was paraded to more crowd noise than was made during the first half - rivalling Forest as the team most living in the past

In the second half. We didn't know it at the time, but 3 minutes in we all witnessed the pivotal moment

Pitman was found in the right corner of the box and he cleverly turned his man

Then, instead of crossing I the unmarked MacDonald standing on the 6 yard line, he tried a one in a million shot to the left top corner which only just remained in the stadium

Why - just why?

Six minutes later and it was 2-0

A cross from the right should have been meat and drink for Francis but instead Hoillet nipped in front of him, then went last him before passing past Camp - just too easy

We were clearly second best with next to no chance of scoring yet there were no substitutes

We go 2-0 down and we suddenly go 2 up front with a double substitution - TOO FUCKING LATE, AGAIN

Fraser even made an appearance with 20 minutes to go to use up all 3 - but really, what was the point?

In fairness we did play a little better but if we are going to play Rantie yet ignore all the runs he makes, we might as well play me up front 

The game was finished off by Phillips with 14 minutes to go as he collected the ball 30 yards out, ghosted past the defence, on his OWN, and smashed it past Camp, to make it 3-0

Summary - 3 things come to mind, the first is that I wanted to hate Barton - but I couldn't. He looked 1 possibly 2 classes above anything we had to offer

The second is that watching Bournemouth at the moment is like watching your child in the nativity play. You are pleased to be there and whoop and cheer over the slightest thing but ultimately you know all in all it's a bit shit

The third and possibly lost important point is that if I have to shout "Get in the FUCKING BOX" any more ones than that - I will be sectioned in the hoarse tourettes home of Poole

Star Man - Me - and I accept it on behalf of the magnificent travelling support who out sung the QPR support for the full 90 minutes

#afcb 1 v 1 #bhafc

I’ve decided to try to enjoy each and every game in this league – but even with that self imposed pressure I was finding it difficult to muster much optimism

Even seeing the best line-up I’ve seen in ages couldn’t stop my bad thoughts.

How were Arter and Cook back so quickly ? I so wanted to just bask in the moment but the devil on my shoulder kept whispering “they’ve come back too soon – they’re not ready ..” until I beered the voice into submission.

My doubts seemed unfounded as, for the first time this season, WE actually did the pressing and pushed right up on Brighton

That forced mistakes and with their mistakes came confidence and with confidence came attacking intent

With Ritchie on the right and Fraser on the left, we overpowered them on the wings and sent in cross after cross without there being any end product.

That’s not to say Pitman and Rantie weren’t trying to get on the end of the crosses, but when your confidence is down, the ball never seems to fall right and chances are missed.

It’s the area that Bournemouth must improve on because for all that dominance we weren’t putting them to the sword

We didn’t help our own cause by staging a couple of theatrical falls in the early minutes and that rather set the trend – the ref thought we were trying to con him so from then on, gave us nothing

Brighton, wiley old performers, instantly picked up on this and their fouls got progressively more obvious with still no decisions coming our way.

At one point Upson pulled out and extendable boxing glove and chinned Rantie – still nothing.

Worse than that, though, was that Brighton were starting to hit on the break and but for a first class near post save from Camp, after the defence were asleep to a long cross, assuming the ball was going out when in fact Barnes was there and met it well, we might have fallen behind

A minute later though, on 28 minutes, the unexpected happened  - we actually got a free kick!!!

As the smelling salts were being passed round, we all hoped that it was going to be a Daniels or Ritchie attempt (as the ball was 20 yards or so out just to the right of goal) and that Pitman wouldn’t spit his dummy out and insist on taking it.

Luckily Pitman was sent away and as Daniels ran up, he fooled everyone by passing it left to Ritchie to take out the wall and Ritchie thumped a curling shot into the left corner of the goal – a great effort. 1-0 and deservedly so

Note to self – for Christmas I want laser eye surgery – I’m getting sick of all the goals going in so far away from me – The South Standers are certainly getting value for money

It was now all Bournemouth and Ritchie almost doubled the home side’s lead just 3 minutes later as a great run by Fraser was rounded off with a low cross which Ritchie met on the half-volley, forcing an amazing point blank save from their keeper

The final piece of action saw Ritchie and Daniels recreate the goal scoring free kick but this time the shot was charged down and deflected just past the other post

Half time 1-0

Confused Rich had the following words of wisdom – One swallow doesn’t make a summer – and how prophetic his words were to be – he really should try the lottery….

For the second half started and it was as if the teams had swapped shirts

From flowing and attacking, we went to nervous and clumsy. Way too often the ball was lost on first touch and too many players were bullied off the ball far too easily.

Their midfielder Ince was tall, strong, skilful and pacey and he frightened the life out of our midfielders and, unfortunately for us, they went into their shells

It made me think whether Arter was rushed back too soon as he just disappeared from view and with him went our creativity

For me, the jury is still very much out on Rantie as he hasn’t scored enough to warrant the price tag and he doesn’t hold the ball well but he really wasn’t helped with high ball after high ball.

Talk about not playing to his strengths – you may as well ask Addison to skip dinner – never going to work

It did, however, take a piece of brilliance to draw Brighton level. A nothing throw in on 55 minutes found Ward just inside the box on the right hand side. Despite a difficult bouncing ball, no defender challenged for the ball and he span and absolutely smashed the ball into the top left corner

Camp had no chance – heck, Jalal and Flahavan could have been in goal with him and none of them would have got near it 1-1

Another goal in the South End – the pitch isn’t sloping is it ???

Confidence is a fragile thing and after the goal, Bournemouth visibly shrank (difficult to believe, I appreciate)

Passing was wayward or just plain blind, control went out of the window and attacks became predictable

That was except for the one shining light – Ritchie. Yes, he may have a haircut that looks like he needs to go back to get it finished later, but single handedly he pulled the front 6 up by their bootstraps and brought some semblance of composure out of them.

Twice, with dazzling footspeed and great spatial awareness he twice put Pitman through with inch perfect passes but both times he failed to score as the keeper rushed him and made the target small

Pitman might not be scoring but he won so much in the air. He was doing his part of the job. The second part was for Rantie, and later Thomas, to actively ANTICIPATE him winning the header and running to meet that ball.

Neither did this – in fact, in the case of Thomas, he might as well have brought out a deckchair and cocktail – because he clearly didn’t give a rat’s ar4e about anything except for the lovely weather

Brighton had 2 or 3 chances, mainly from down Francis’ side as balls flashed across the box but luckily for us they were as wasteful as us when they had the upper hand

Final Score 1-1

Summary – The best 45 minutes I’ve seen for ages but with not enough reward. We shot a lot more – we made more chances than in recent games, but scoring only once just isn’t going to be good enough for this league.

 The second half was the same old story. Poor passing, poor control – no pressing. I think the fitness coach really needs to take a long hard look in the mirror

I think a draw was a fair result, even though it was a nail-biting finish. The first half showed what we can do and I’m hoping that Ritchie playing will have the same effect on us as Ozil has had for Arsenal – that his mere presence and ability will make the rest of the team raise their own games

At this league, playing at 80% will win us nothing. It has to be 100% for the full 90+ else it will all end in tears

Star Man – Ritchie – Head, shoulders and haircut above everyone else

Away support - Impressive

East Stand

Main Stand

North Stand (from the 70's)

South Stand

 

#afcb 0 v 1 #dcfc

My pre-match ritual was boosted today by meeting Blandford Phil and Posh Amy, one telling of their being violently ill and hung over and the other their sporting prowess – not the way round I was expecting…..

Wrapped in 12 thermal layers the game started with O’Kane rushing at the Derby defence.

As the back four opened, he tore through and as he reached the penalty he unleashed the expected shot passed it wide and lost the ball

I would say that this was to become a theme – getting a chance and not shooting. But I’d be lying. The theme was actually established last game, or was the game before, or the one….

Those first few minutes were very much the exception for the first half as we were transported 200 miles or so away to play at Pride Park and Derby assumed their position of the home team, with AFCB playing very much on the break

Derby had read the “Beat Bournemouth” manual and pressed all over the pitch which we coped with poorly.

Lots of hurried passes at the back resulted in lost ball in dangerous areas, constantly putting us under pressure.

In Ward, Derby possessed their equivalent of Fraser, as he was BEFORE his injury, and his speed and trickery caused no end of problems.

Their midfield, led by the young Scandinavian looking Hughes were quicker, cleverer and most importantly stronger than our pairing of MacDonald and O’Kane which meant that the ball was often quickly robbed by Derby and then moved so quickly there was a lot of shadow chasing

Both Martin and Ward had chances having been put through the slow-turning defence before Rantie had Bournemouth’s best chance on 18 minutes.

A long clearance from the Ward chance had Rantie sprinting past their defence and hammering a low shot at the near post, which their keeper did well to parry.

Hitting on the break as we were, when we weren’t getting bumped off the ball, we did get the ball wide and put in some great crosses – but we just never seemed to have anyone in the box to put the final touch to it

I would say that this was to become a theme …. Oh well, you get the point

I don’t normally give ANY praise to opposition teams but I have to today. For me, this was the best team I’ve seen at Dean Court. Tireless with and without the ball, clever passing and full of attacking options – it would be a team I’d happily pay to watch

With Bournemouth under a lot of pressure, mostly brought on themselves by being so well pressed while sitting back and not pressing AT ALL, it was Bournemouth that could have gone in 1 up

In the 45^th minute a long Cook throw in caused panic and as the ball fell to MacDonald, he crashed the ball at goal and while I was about to cheer the net billowing, a last ditch defensive block set the ball wide

Half Time 0-0

At the beginning of the second half, Camp showed the benefit of his Jalal like (haha) good distribution as his throw out (NOT the blinking awful tactic of whacking it wide for a flick on to no-one) had Grabban scampering down the right and his cross was met by Pitman on the half volley but he blazed over

On the hour mark, though, Derby showed how good play SHOULD be finished off

Impressive one touch football down the left had the ball fired in across the 6 yard box and the very impressive Ward was there to shoot in off the post

Derby were 0-1 up and thoroughly deserved it

A few minutes later Pugh and Rantie were off and Fraser and the Scarlet Pimpernel, Ritchie, came on

How can one player, sidelined for the whole season through injury, come on to the pitch of players who’ve had 15 games on the “learning curve”, and be the best player we’ve got?

The crowd sensed it immediately and upped their game, to be rewarded by him (and Fraser, truth be told) actually making runs up front and being able to keep the ball.

All, I repeat All other clubs have players that when the ball is cleared, will get to the ball first AND KEEP IT but in Ritchie, maybe we can start to compete

His footwork and work rate were exemplary and had he been passed in on 77 minutes, which was the obvious ball completely missed by O’Kane I am convinced that we would have actually worked the keeper

This was shown just 2 minutes later as he took things into his own hands, cut in from the right and instantly smashed the ball at goal.

Yes, it did get deflected wide, but he took the responsibility of having a go – something that a few of our other players need to look inside themselves and ask – am I stepping up to the plate?

Derby then professionally saw the game out and it went from bad to much, much worse for Bournemouth as Cook was badly injured in a “kitchen sink” moment as he span and clashed totally accidentally with a defender

It was his leg and it looked bad

Next week the CB partnership could be Elphick and Addison – I’ve got my tin hat on order already…

Final Score 0 - 1

Summary – Derby were just better than us – simple as that. Better pressing, passing and ideas. We weren’t awful – just not good enough on the day.

The huge positive that is having Ritchie back (and it is huge) for me has been more than wiped away with the injury to Cook.

We all knew it was going to be a long, hard winter and right now I’d still settle for survival in this league.

Derby are one of the teams  that will be right up there at the end and there’s no disgrace in this loss – but 0 goals in the last 2 home games and very few shots on target tell its own story – all need to be improved – and quickly

Star Man – Ritchie – showed more intent, skill and passion in those 20 minutes or so than we showed in the previous 70

Amazing Away Support

East Stand

Main Stand

South Stand

North Stand

 

 

#afcb 0 v 2 #bwfc

So it was true – the ironically named Legends was gone. More importantly to me, a pre-match routine I’d developed with my autistic lad was gone forever.

Thanks for the consultation – thanks for the notice – thanks for nothing!!!

A new routine was needed and so the bar at Fitness First was the destination. Apart from the fact they don’t serve diet coke (I did confirm they were actually a gym) – it doesn’t seem too bad a switch.

The beer was cheap(ish), the footy was on and the toilets clean – it could never have the atmosphere but the rest was good enough

I was looking forward to seeing our loanee keeper Camp but I couldn’t take my eyes off the Bolton keeper as they came out. Was there one person sitting on another’s shoulders or was he really that freakishly tall?

Let’s hope we test him, I thought……..

The game kicked off and it was clear that Francis was still on the spin cycle of getting rinsed against Leicester’s Dyer as he came up against Bolton’s side-show Bob (Lee).

Within the first minute Francis was turned inside out and back again but fortunately for him Lee was so weedy that a strong round of applause sent him sprawling – so started the battle of the fast against the strong

Bournemouth had the first chance as a pass to Rantie’s feet saw him turn smartly, move past one defender and smash his shot goalwards only to be blocked by the covering defender

Three minutes later, Danns was sent through a static defence and with Camp rooted to the spot, we all watched as the shot luckily was dragged wide

On 11 minutes Camp was called upon properly for the first time as a stinging shot from Ream was arrowing into the top right corner and it was only Camp’s strong hand that kept the ball out – a great save

Bournemouth then had 5 or so minutes of pressure which resulted in a couple of long throw opportunities – but I ask you – what is the point?

So often we didn’t even challenge for the ball being thrown in, we might as well have just given the ball back. I’m not sure what we need to do to make people put their head in where it hurts but the formula needs to be found soon as these long balls and crosses are just a waste of time without someone trying to get on the end of them

Fifteen minutes of very frustrating play came next as Bournemouth decided that tippy tapping the ball at the back was entertainment enough until it was time to either launch a 40 yard ball, in the swirling wind, to the crowd (normally) OR try to thread the ball through the eye of a needle which Messi couldn’t have made

A time in which the only highlight was a massive Arter block on 27 minutes after Francis was bemused again and the ball crossed from the left as the Bolton midfielder strolled forward and crashed the ball at the goal from 20 yards

Both Grabban and Rantie then had shots, but both were blocked without the keeper having to make a save

This was to be a theme – say what you like about Bolton, they defended like their lives depended on it – whereas, Arter and Cook aside, we looked like losing would mean they’d be limited to just one all-expenses VIP trip to the Rome health clinic.

Why is it every team look fitter than us? I know it’s a harder league – but surely we are all eating the same things and all have the opportunity to go to the gym etc? – I just don’t understand

Then it happened. On 36 minutes N’Gog went through with Camp again rooted to the spot. This time, Camp was rounded and as N’Gog sliced the ball towards goal, Cook came sliding in but overestimated the speed of the ball – hitting the back of the net himself before the ball did

Half Time 0-1

The words from “Confused Rich” were “command your box” – and how true these words were. How are we coaching our keepers? Camp has only been with us for a few days and yet he’s already followed Jalal and Allsop in the “nothing shall move us from our line” mode.

Second half and I’ve got fewer notes than the minute waltz

Bolton backed off. We huffed and we puffed but ultimately we could have played for the next month non-stop and we wouldn’t have scored.

Bolton closed down so well and just defended their 18 yard box and we had so little movement that even Arter’s guile could not figure out a way through. Without people actually moving, Bolton’s job was made a lot easier

Even Camp was getting frustrated when he got the ball that he had no-one to pass to – you can kind of see why Allsop looked so indecisive with his distribution.

When we did have a chance, we simply wouldn’t shoot but instead look to the next pass, which inevitably went awry.

We are not Arsenal, We cannot just walk through a championship side and walk the ball into the net. Our last 2 goals, from our winger, not striker, have been where the boot has been put through the ball – why our strikers are so shy baffles me.

Even when Pitman and Thomas were brought on for Fraser and Rantie, although our ball retention did improve, our shot to possession ratio was just awful

Our 2 best chances came from free kicks earned around the box but with Pitman insisting on taking them all, even when a left foot from Daniels would have suited the chance better, the keeper still wasn’t worked

Then, deep into injury time, a long clearance punted the ball up to Beckford, who, under pressure from TWO defenders, shrugged them both off and smashed the ball past Camp – very reminiscent of the Clarke goal against us for Coventry last season

That’s what we are missing. Someone fast, strong who knows where the goal is. He didn’t need anyone else – he just believed in himself, backed himself, shot and scored

Full Time 0-2

Summary – A disappointing game but I was left more than disappointed to have Willo’s words echoing in my ears that AFCB fans have their expectations set too high.

If, by expecting professional players to run to make space, be able to pass the ball simply between them and having the occasional shot on goal when the chance presents itself, I am expecting too much – then I plead guilty

I’m not looking for Bournemouth to get promoted, I’m looking for us to survive in this league and while I’m paying money and giving my time to travel all over the country, I want to see us at least do the basics

Is that really too much to hope for?

Star Player – Arter – A surprise choice I’m sure as some (only some, mind you) of his passing had to be seen to be laughed at – but the passion that he showed in BOTH defence AND attack showed me that above all, he really WANTS this opportunity and with better choices, will succeed

East Stand

Main Stand

 

North Stand

 

South Stand

 

Amazing Away Support

 

#lcfc 2 v 1 #afcb

Away Days – I love them!! @poolefoxkurt had passed on his local knowledge as to where to park and where to drink – although admittedly when he said he goes to Kazkazini it did rather sound like he was just using up the letters he had left from a rather difficult game of scrabble

However, both were there and after a 4 hour drive, both were very welcome

The Foxes’ fans were full of questions as to how long it took and which route we took, all eagerly looking forward to a weekend in the sunny south later in the season.

That’s how it should be – a bit of banter and the realisation that we are all just people – no need for the anger and “hatred” so often seen in the actual stadium – however mocked up we pretend

A lot of people like the “old school” stadiums, but not me – I like to sit in a stadium where all the gaps are plugged and their set up of having lots of home fans both to the left and right suited me perfectly.

Yes we were in the corner – but I had a great view – no complaints. So glad I wasn’t seduced by the cheaper price of the “mixed” area – seeing all those kids waving their scarves around and screaming would have driven me mad.

After the warm-up all the players came over and threw their tee-shirts into the crowd. What a shame Addison wasn’t there – we could have used his shirt as a stadium display like we do with the giant flag….

The Foxes fans, less in numbers than Forest, which was a bit disappointing considering they started third, were much more vocal. That doesn’t say much, I appreciate, as the City ground was the proverbial library but there were a good variety of songs.

If I was totally picky I’d say that 23,000 should make a hell of a lot more noise than they did – but being the home team doesn’t guarantee noise – we of all teams should know that

The game started with some early AFCB pressure but Allsop was called to make the first save as the impressive Dyer swept through and smashed the ball point blank at him. He took it in the stomach and it was hit so hard it winded him – I think it would cut me in half

This was to prove a theme. Leicester were so much quicker and more fluid than last week and in Dyer, not only did he torment Francis so badly he didn’t know his ar$e from his elbow, he totally negated the attacking threat of returning Fraser as he constantly had to cover back to help Francis out.

If our right was a worry, at the back in the middle, Ward might have well been wearing oversized shoes and a big red nose. He was so far off the pace it was laughable, making the job that Cook did even more impressive, doing his own job while carrying Ward all over the pitch.

I don’t, however, want to turn this into a negative report – because those points apart, there were plenty to be happy about.

Arter and Collison looked excellent in the middle and Pugh is in the best vein of form I can remember for a couple of seasons – especially good with Daniels back in the side.

It was a Pugh and Daniels combination that fired a low cross to Grabban deep in the box. Turning his man brilliantly he inexplicably fired wide from 8 yards.

I’ve never seen a front 2 so lacking in confidence. I’m not going to fault their effort but they both need a goal so badly it hurts.

Like two World of Warcraft geeks suddenly presented with a living, breathing woman, their over-eagerness buggers up their first touch and it’s all over, for the worse, all too quickly

Straight after the Grabban chance, Leicester tore upfield and the hapless Ward brought down Vardy

Yellow card . tick, tick, tick

Three minutes later, AFCB were 1 down. Dyer rinsed Francis again, cut inside and passed to supposedly out-of-form Nugent. A quick look up and from the left side of the box, he curled a beautiful shot just inside Allsop’s right post

From that goal, even though no blame whatsoever could be levelled at Allsop, like a tall pack of cards, he just fell apart.

He looked like he was seeing ghosts in front of him, so scared did he look and proceeded to pass out hospital ball after hospital ball, putting the already woeful Ward under even more pressure.

This was such a shame because as soon as we got the ball to midfield, we looked fast and spirited and caused all sorts of problems down both left and right – just a shame we had the cutting edge as sharp as a blamange

On 38 minutes a disputed free kick on the half way line had Ward kicking the ball away. All 1007 AFCB fans held our breath. How can someone with his experience be so monumentally stupid?

The referee approached and took him to one side………and just talked. Thank God for that. Tick, tick, tick…..

On 40 minutes, more good work on the right by Rantie and Grabban had the ball quickly move to the middle to Pugh.

As the ball rolled to him, Pugh span a 1000 times in a second, emerging wearing a giant S on his chest and smashed the ball into the top left corner, beyond Schmeichel’s  reach.

What a goal – the AFCB fans, who quite frankly were magnificent the whole half, erupted in a frenzy – we were back in the game !!!

Half Time 1-1

A quick mention of the toilets at the KP Stadium. If I’d wanted an advanced trigonometric  work-out I’d have applied for the Krypton Factor – they had the weirdest angles ever which meant getting in and out was nigh on impossible – I was lucky to make it for the start of the second

Which was just as well, as AFCB were SO much better. Leicester are a good, flowing, attacking side – but so are we – and we really started to show it.

But for some heroic blocking, maybe Rantie or Grabban could have given their confidence a well deserved shot in the arm

Despite all the good play, it was an old fashioned hoof that was Bournemouth’s undoing. On ran Vardy but the ball was well over-hit

Unfortunately, Allsop was in the middle of a thrilling game of Stuck in the Mud with Ward and hadn’t been tagged so of course he didn’t move – he’s no cheater. Surely that is the ONLY reason why a championship keeper doesn’t walk out 5 yards and collect the ball?

Instead, the never say die Vardy collected the ball, rounded the statue and slotted the ball away.

I know getting on Allsop’s back isn’t going to help him, but I think being around the likes of Jalal is having an adverse effect – as being tied to his line was one of his problems

Two minutes later, the game was over. The ticking time bomb that was Ward stuck out a leg and down fell their attacker. I couldn’t see whether he actually made contact – but it almost didn’t matter. He gave the ref a decision to make and after the kicking the ball away incident, the yellow was obvious to all who watched.

Even though the game was effectively dead, with Pitman, Thomas and Elphick coming on – I really did enjoy the way the lads banded together.

There were times that you didn’t know that we were a man down as everyone raised their game. I will say, having Pitman on the pitch, someone who can hold the ball and win headers , really brought a better dimension to AFCB’s game

That should be a real head scratcher for Howe

Final question of the day – when are the training coach going to turn to page two of the long ball manual?

AFCB have definitely got the long ball to the likes of Pugh, Francis and Pitman and they often win the header

Unfortunately, it is on page 2 where all the other players learn to anticipate winning the ball. Without that, let’s face it, rather crucial element, what exactly is the point?

Full Time 2-1

Summary – The irony is that AFCB played a LOT better than last week, yet walked away with nothing. The game was turned on 2 errors. One minor in that Ward really should have been subbed – he was red man walking and Howe was the only one not to see that Hollands’ moment  repeating itself.

The second, more catastrophic error was in Allsop’s decision making. If that had been Rantie running through, Scmeichel  would have kicked both ball and player clear out of the stadium – you don’t get time to dwell at this level

Star Man – Pugh – Excellent going forward AND defending and a goal that just looked so pretty you could dress it up and take it to dinner