AFCB v Watford - Highlights & Reaction

AFC Bournemouth headed into the home fixture against Watford low on confidence and form.

The announcement of Jonathan Woodgate as permanent “head coach” for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign had been met by fair to say, mixed reactions from the Dean Court faithful and a downturn in performances and results by the players.

Meanwhile, Watford entered the game as the inform team in the Championship under their 11th manager since the 2014/15 campaign where the two sides have been drawn together into some strange rivalry that not many can explain logically.

Woodgate reverted back to a back four with Adam Smith, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Steve Cook and Lloyd Kelly in front of Asmir Begovic in goal.

The midfield trio of Ben Pearson, Jefferson Lerma and Lewis Cook did the running of midfield, whilst Junior Stanislas and Arnaut Danjuma supported the returning Dominic Solanke up front.

Man of the match against Watford

Danjuma

S Cook

Kelly

Lerma

AFC Bournemouth head coach Jonathan Woodgate told Sky Sports…

“It did not look great, but that’s football and it was two teams very passionate and two sets of players who wanted to win

“We have to see that win as bedrock to climb up the table and it showed this team can fight. I want a hard under-belly, not a soft one and I want teams to know this is going to be a hard place to come and play.”

"He gives you everything you can ask for in a midfielder"

A lot of love for @jeffersonlerma from Woodgate 👊

Woodgate says Watfords players tried their best to get Lerma sent off 🔊👇 #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/njn6eZIF1C

— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) February 27, 2021

🔥 @ArnautDanjuma 🔥

Here's the #AFCB match-winner speaking to @kristemple after his goal sealed a big three points 👊🔊👇 pic.twitter.com/u6PaRsEeBB

— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) February 27, 2021

Winners win. Period. No excuses, just 3 points. Happy to be on the scoresheet again and make the winning goal for the team. Great performance, let’s go AGAIN! 🍒👑 pic.twitter.com/X027as9Twx

— Arnaut Danjuma (@Danjuma) February 27, 2021

Big 3 points. Sometimes it's not pretty but we will fight together for every single point from now until the end of season! Well done lads 🍒🍒@afcbournemouth

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) February 27, 2021

We knew how important that one was today 🤛🏽🍒 pic.twitter.com/rlYNaVlxBL

— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) February 27, 2021

redharry wrote…

I would have given almost anything to have been watching that at Dean Court. The brawl at the end we would have all been out of our seats shouting and screaming our boys on, giving Watford heaps of abuse, chanting Oh Jefferson Lerma !!!!!!!! That’s what I want 100% commitment, passion, fighting for the cause. The buzz on the way back to the car would have been absolutely wonderful.
Watford got what they deserved, they targeted Lerma thinking they could get him sent off – well that worked well, didn’t it.

London Cherry wrote…

That’s more like it! It wasn’t pretty but we did the basics right today and showed occasional glimpses. Far more secure with the 3 in midfield and loved that combination of Pearson, Jeff and L.Cook. Great to have Dom back too and he’ll make a big difference in the run-in. It was a nervous last 6 minutes with the highlight being S.Cook’s clearing headers, the effort of which you could hear! Keep it up lads! – Join the conversation, click here.