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
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