AFCB Vital Match Zone

AFCB v West Brom – Highlights & Reaction

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AFC Bournemouth returned to Dean Court for a league meeting with a capacity crowd for the first time since 29th February 2020.

On that date, the Cherries drew 2-2 with Chelsea in the Premier League, almost 18 months later it was the same scoreline but almost everything else has changed. The visitors were West Bromwich Albion, the league, the Championship.

Adam Smith and Philip Billing were the only two players in the side who featured in that game, the Cherries have seen three managers depart in Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall and Jonathan Woodgate in that time, with new head coach Scott Parker making his first appearance in the Dean Court dugout for a league meeting.

He wasn’t the only one making his debut either.

Jordan Zemura made his first league appearance of his career, whilst Gavin Kilkenny and Jaidon Anthony were both making their first league starts.

Emiliano Marcondes made his Cherries debut following his free transfer from Brentford and Christian Saydee added his name to first team debutants when he came off the bench in the closing stages.

After the match, Parker told Sky Sports

“I’m immensely proud of the team. It was a young team with a lot of young players, and they are a tough side we played tonight, who put us under immense pressure and put the balls in difficult places for us. We had to stand up to that.

“I’m a little disappointed that we got in front twice and conceded quickly twice afterwards, but first and foremost standing in my position you need your team to stand up and not shirk it, and they did that. Overall I’m pleased.”

Man of the Match against West Brom?

Billing

Billing

Anthony

Anthony

Mepham

Mepham

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Written by table

It felt great to be back, watching the Cherries in a League match added bonus it was an evening match. Just so enjoyable being back in Dean Court, doing what you love, watching the flippin’ Cherries. Saw so many people we haven’t seen for over a year : )

It was the first time for what must be decades there was no Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches or Neil Moss. It’s a new beginning, after all the dour reports of Parkerball, it’s good to see a “team” forming. I’m not a tactics or formations guy, I’m happy with 11 guys trying their hardest as a unit. We had what used to be our “cup team” out tonight but they had cohesion and effort. : )

I think Scottie and his coaches have worked wonders in 6 weeks, with a squad in flux, injuries, players going, players wanting to go, players not sure they’re staying ( Smithy and Stan only decided to stay a fortnight ago). Including the bench, it was about 50% academy players, yet the players on the pitch went toe-to-toe with a recent PL team, withstood their physicality, and played the better football when we could : )

It was “real” football:- heroes to cheer, villains to boo, officials to abuse, thrills, spills, sublime skills, mistakes, pisstakes and 10000 of us were (lucky enough) to be there : ) – Join the conversation, click here.

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