Quite possibly AFCB`s biggest match for a couple of years happens this Saturday as The Cherries travel to Luton. Having only just played The Hatters at Dean Court, and winning dramatically 4-3, a game that sparked the recent up-turn in fortune and results, the Bournemouth team must go into the game confidently of possibly moving out the relegation zone for the first time in months. Last week, the team defeated high-flying Nottingham Forest with two clinical Sam Vokes goals, as he repaid his faith in staying at the club through January.
Luton, currently sat a place beneath AFCB in the League 1 table, initially recovered from their last minute heartbreak at Dean Court by securing a 1-1 draw with Leeds. However, two successive defeats have followed, with Hartlepool hitting them for four last Saturday. As the weeks continue to pass, it appears that administration, the enforced 10-point deduction, and selling of key players through the January window, will result in the club being relegated to League 2. Home form is key to survival for The Hatters if they want to still be here next season.
Vital Quotes:
AFCB Striker, Lee Bradbury, has been singing the praises of team-mate Sam Vokes to The Daily Echo this week. Going as far as saying he could be the factor to the Cherries survival:
‘He’s done brilliantly up front on his own. He holds the ball up well, causes defenders problems and is priceless to us at the moment. He could be the difference between staying up or going down… Sam came in and has been scoring goals week in, week out. I think he’s got seven in 12 so you can’t argue with that… It’s not just the goals though, it’s his all-round contribution. He gives the team options and a lot of people don’t see the work he does down the channels. I take my hat off to him.’
Luton boss, told the BBC he was not at all happy with his side’s performance at Hartlepool last weekend:
‘The result has been coming for a while and the boys in the dressing room are very down.. I have told the players in no uncertain terms that the performance was unacceptable and have said that it’s back to basics… We need to get a team shape together and start again. We must get that belief and passion back.’
Luton Town Team News:
Sam Parkin got himself some match time as he continues his return from injury with an appearance for the Reserves this week. Marlon Beresford, Calvin Andrew, Stephen O`Leary, Lewis Emanuel, Darren Currie, Paul McVeigh, and Dean Morgan also got some game time. Sol Davis returned to the team last weekend, but Rob Sinclair is now on-loan at Salisbury.
Player to watch: Matthew Spring
Now in his second spell at the club, following spells at Leeds and Watford, Spring is having to take on more responsibility following the loss of so many players in January. Willing to break from midfield to join the attack, he also possesses dead-ball skills, and took a nice penalty at Dean Court. This season he`s made 36 appearances and scored 8 times.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Neil Young missed out last week with a calf injury, but will hope to return this weekend. Moss, Garry, Foley, and Anderton are all still in Steve Hard`s treatment room with their long-term injuries. There have been no reports of any injuries sustained in training. Jason Pearce and Brett Pitman were given some more match time at Swansea for the Reserves this week, in a team otherwise made up of the Youth squad.
Player to watch: Sam Vokes
Currently in form in front of goal, though the Welsh U`21 striker didn`t score midweek. He has netted seven times in his last twelve Cherries games though, and if the goalscoring continues, it will be the likes of Reading and not Crewe rumoured in taking the youngster on come the summer. Is he now the #1 Cherries striker?!
Match Facts & Stats
Current Form:
AFCB – L L W W L W
Luton – L L L D L L
Luton at Home:
Played 14, Won 8, Drawn 3, Lost 3, Scored 20, Conceded 13, Points 25
AFCB Away from Home:
Played 15, Won 4, Drawn 2, Lost 9, Scored 19, Conceded 25, Points 14
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr M Thorpe
Assistant Referees: Mr P W Barnes & Mr G J N Jerden
Fourth Official: Mr G R Russell
Match Prediction:
Both teams are scrapping for their League 1 status and I`m sure the game will reflect that; plenty of play in midfield as the tackles fly in, but chances are minimal and mistakes become costly. More goals like at Dean Court I still think though: 2-2.
Next Fixtures:
AFC Bournemouth v Doncaster Rovers (Coca Cola League 1, Tuesday 12th February 2008, 7.45pm)
