After suffering back to back defeats at the hands of Premier League side Wigan Athletic and Walsall, the Cherries are aiming to bounce back to winning ways at bottom of the table Hartlepool United.
The Cherries unbeaten run of eighteen games came to an end last week, a run of form which saw the side progress to an FA Cup third round replay and take 35 points from a possible 45.
Eddie Howe’s side climbed the League One table from 21st and inside the relegation places to 8th, level on points with the play-off places.
Meanwhile Hartlepool have been cut adrift at the bottom of the table, they are 12 points from safety after only taking 13 points from 26 games, winning just once since the 1st September.
Vital Quotes:
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk…
‘…It`s always a tough place to go. It`s right on the coast and the conditions can be blustery. Saying that, we have to go there with a real belief and look to bounce back from Saturday.
“That was the first time we`ve had that losing feeling in the league and it`s not nice. We desperately want to come back in the right manner and show the character that we have here.
“In any league it is tough to win away from home. We have done reasonably well in the away games. Saturday was just a disappointing performance and hopefully we can put that to the back of our minds and focus on all the positives we have had in the past few months…’
Hartlepool Team News:
Long term absentee Andy Rafferty will once again miss out, otherwise Hartlepool have no new injury worries.
Player to watch: Steve Howard
Veteran striker Steve Howard may have only scored three goals this season (all of them coming over two games against Sheffield United), but with Hartlepool struggling to find the target he is their top goalscorer.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Howe has a few injury concerns ahead of the game. Marc Pugh missed out against Walsall with a dead leg and is still a doubt whilst Harry Arter suffered a hamstring problem against Walsall and could also miss out.
Wes Thomas suffered a head injury in that same game, however Richard Hughes could return following illness.
New signings Ryan Allsop and Dan Seaborne could be in line for a debut if selected, while the Cherries are still awaiting international clearance for Ryan Fraser.
Shaun MacDonald, Miles Addison, Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Purches and Charlie Sheringham all remain on the sidelines.
Player to watch: Brett Pitman
Scored and hit the crossbar against Walsall and will be looking to add to his tally this (Tuesday) evening.
Match Facts & Stats
Head to Head
Hartlepool United wins – 12
Bournemouth wins – 15
Draws – 18
Last time out
The Cherries and Hartlepool played out a 1-1 draw at Dean Court in September.
Next Fixtures:
26th January 2013, AFC Bournemouth V Crewe Alexandra, 3pm.
