AFCB Vital Match Reports

Did that look as bad on tv?

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I feel so sorry for the majority of Cherries supporters who will have spent the best part of 24 hours travelling to see a 90 minute match in which we played well for about a total of 5 minutes, consisting of 2 corners and our only move of quality in the match leading to our goal. Fortunately, I made the quick trip across from Wakefield after visiting friends so count myself lucky for a quick return to the midlands.

In freezing conditions the match kicked off with Cherries looking to continue an excellent run which, according to the papers, has taken us from worrying about relegation to dreaming of European competition. Not on this performance against a side on a 5 streak losing run.

With less than 10 on the clock, Francis was outpaced on the right and the cutback was hammered past Begovic into the net. 1-0 Huddersfield. Within 5 minutes we were level though after a beautifully worked move down the right wing ended with a Fraser cross to an unmarked Stanislas who coolly controlled and placed a shot across the keeper just inside the post. There followed a short period when Cherries we on top and caused the home defence some worries with the running of Ibe, Wilson and Stanislas. This weathered though, Huddersfield retook the lead when a free kick from the left edge of the box was swung in and headed home. A typical goal for us to concede which you could see coming from a mile away. It`s a pity our defence couldn`t.

You have to give credit to Huddersfield, they had done their homework. They closed Wilson down and denied him a sniff all game. His close control was not good enough to hold the ball up and their midfield harried us whenever we had the ball. They won every second ball and and we lacked the guile to find a decent pass, in fact, any pass, as the usually excellent Cook and Ake were profligate in possession.

Half time arrived with us hoping for the usual 2nd period improvement. This was almost undone straight from the kick off as some direct running led to a shooting opportunity which missed to the right of the goal.

I have rarely been bored watching Bournemouth, but I can`t remember any action of note from us, and certainly no chances from this point onwards. We just couldn`t get going and this translated to our fans who were as quiet as I can remember.

Eddie made substitutions to try and liven up the team with King, Mousset and Smith replacing Ibe, Stanislas and Cook. It was the latter who was at fault for us conceding the third goal. An awful pass from in the box was gifted straight to a Huddersfield player and within a few passes, the ball was in the net, beating Begovic at the right hand post.

Let`s not pretend that Huddersfield are a great side, but they were very effective today. Defensively solid, terrier like in the tackle and ruthless with chances. We were extremely poor with what we do best, keeping possession, tiring teams out, and breaking with pace.

It was no surprise when conceded again in the last few minutes of injury time, this time from a penalty. I couldn`t see the incident as a child a few rows in front was holding up a laminated sign with great regularity indicating that Lewis Cook should be on the plane to Russia. (Again, not on this performance.) I should probably thank him due to the paucity of the display.

So a 4-1 loss. I`m not sure what we can take from this. One of those days? A bad day at the office? After a great run of results, what`s important is how we react on our next outing.
It`s probably my fault for taking my wife to her first Cherries game in years.

Begovic 6 not much chance with goals. Tried to build from back.
Daniels 6 fairly anonymous and not many attacking runs
Cook 5 dreadful pass for 3rd goal
Ake 5 not dominant in air and wayward passing
Francis 5 exposed for pace out wide. Good headed clearances.
L Cook 5 unusually poor passing
Gosling 5 bullied out of game?
Fraser 6 great cross for goal. Kept going forward
Stanislas 6 well taken goal but drifted out of game
Ibe 6 not influential today but worried defenders in first half
Wilson 5 hold up play not his bag. Not a sniff.

Subs
Smith 6 ran well with ball
Mousset 5 as Smith but less good
King 5 hardly saw him touch ball

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