Written by billythekid
Before the international break and the trip away to Newcastle, our side had not conceded any goals in the previous three games. That all changed up in the North East when AFCB after taking an early lead conceded two goals and made the long trip back South for the second season without any points. After the international break, the Cherries are back at Dean Court to face Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) in the Premier League.
The Wolves manager is Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, he is in his third season in charge. Last season his first in the Premier League, Wolves beat Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham amongst others to finish in 7th place. So far in our two games against Wolves in the Premier League, the Wolves manager has the upper hand over Eddie Howe, with Wolves winning 1 and drawing 1.
In the Summer Wolves signed on-loan striker Raúl Jiménez on a permanent contract from Benfica for a club-record fee of £30 million. Another striker Patrick Cutrone from AC Milan for £23 million. Another player who had been on loan but signed a permanent deal is midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee. Also on undisclosed fees are four players, two players from Braga, forward Pedro Neto and midfielder Bruno Jordao. Striker Renat Dadashov from Estoril, he has gone on loan back to Portugal to join Pacos de Ferreira and midfielder Meritan Shabani from Bayern Munich. On loan from Real Madrid, centre back Jesus Vallejo.
Being in the Europa League has resulted in a mixed start to Wolves league season. They drew their first three league games, away at Leicester then two home fixtures against Manchester United and Burnley. This was followed with two defeats, away at Everton and a 2-5 result against Chelsea. Results improved and they drew away against Crystal Palace, this was followed with two wins. First at home against Watford, then taking the scalp of last season’s Champions Manchester City on their own ground 0-2. The next three games ended in 1-1 draws, at home against Southampton and two away games against Newcastle United and Arsenal. In their last game before the international break they beat Aston Villa in a drab televised game. Wolves are in 8th place in the table with 16 points, the same number of points as the Cherries who are in 9th place on 1 GD.
The last time we met Wolves in the league was in February of this year at Dean Court. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, both goals came from the penalty spot. The Cherries could have taken all 3 points if Josh King had put another penalty away, but he put it wide. The penalties and one or two other decisions given by referee Roger East were the subject of debate after the game, including another penalty not given to Wolves.
In all our four league games against Wolves at Dean Court, AFCB have W 2, D 2, L 0. In all competitions home and away, AFCB have W 6, D 3, L 3.
AFCB v Wolves
AFCB Win
Draw
Wolves Win
AFCB Team News
We have four players out with knee injuries. Junior Stanislas and Charlie Daniels have been out for a while. On the injury website Andrew Surman is mentioned as a possible return this Saturday, so we will have to see if that is the case. Ryan Fraser is also expected to return from injury which made him withdraw from the Scotland squad recently. David Brooks has been missing with an ankle injury and according to reports in our local paper he has not started training yet, but our manager hopes to have him back within a month. Lloyd Kelly has been out with a thigh injury. The latest injury is Josh King with a hamstring strain. Jefferson Lerma returns after suspension which made him miss the away defeat at Newcastle.
AFCB Player To Watch
Was going to go for Josh King, but with him being injured will hope after he came back from England duty (didn’t play), we will see a different Callum Wilson from when he returned from the previous international break. We need Callum to find his old touch again. Another player is Ryan Fraser, hope he can find his old form again and continue the successful partnership of last season with Callum Wilson.
Wolves Team News
On the injury front, they have three players out. Willy Boly with a broken fibula. Adama Traore was injured in the recent game against Aston Villa and had to withdraw from the Spanish squad. He has been having treatment for a hamstring injury. Morgan Gibbs-White has been out of the side with a lower back injury.
Wolves Player To Watch
Raúl Jiménez their Mexican number 9 is leading scorer with 5 goals, also has 2 assists. He has scored in his last two games in the Premier League. He scored a goal in both games against us last season.
Simon Hooper is the referee. Had him last season on three occasions, in the League Cup at home against Blackburn Rovers. In the Premier League away at this weekend’s opponents Wolves and home against West Ham.
