AFC Bournemouth traveled to Luton Town knowing that a victory would mathematically secure their place in the top flight of English football for another season. In reality, that has already been secured and most supporters are now daring to dream about potentially breaking our Premier League record for the highest position and the largest number of points. There are even some checking their passports are still in-date for August…
However, these two sides have been bound together since the days of the “administration derby” back in 2008 at Kenilworth Road. Both sides had been deducted 10 points for the 2007/08 campaign in the third tier, forcing their relegation to the fourth tier of English football. Both sides would then suffer further points penalties in 2008/09 in League Two. The Cherries received a 17-point deduction and would avoid relegation and certain financial oblivion, Luton Town with a further 30 points penalty would be relegated to non-league football… (and Everton and Nottingham Forest complain about their current penalties?)
Then, more recently, Dean Court witnessed Tom Lockyer’s collapse and the emotional scenes that followed. The game would go on to be abandoned and most importantly Lockyer is alive and well.
Luton Town returned to Dean Court last month and thundered into a 3-0 lead by half time, only for AFC Bournemouth to dramatically come back to win 4-3 in one of the Premier League’s recent classic encounters.
It seems poignant that Luton Town would have something dramatic up their sleeve for this outing.
After the match, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports…
“It’s a hard one. It’s happened in the opposite way for us where we’ve won games in the last minute. We should have been more ruthless in the first half.
“The wind was key. It was in our favour in the first half. We had chances. The second half we couldn’t play like that because of the wind. They pushed and in the end, they won the game.
“It affected the game. It was very good for us in the first half and very bad in the second half. We were feeling comfortable but not realising [the difference of the] second half against the wind.
“The subs didn’t give us the spark they have in other games. We weren’t finding the spaces with the long balls like in the first half.”
Man of the match against Luton TownTavernier
Neto
Kluivert
Christie
Smith
Semenyo
Solanke
Kelly
Someone else
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The boss' assessment after our first defeat in five: pic.twitter.com/IXba1RjTpe
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 6, 2024
paul49
How did we lose that game? We should have been more clinical in the first half and lived to regret it.
Subs never worked today. We lost momentum going 4-5-1 and against the wind invited Luton to come at us which they did with aplomb.
🍒 Subsequently to me speaking to Tavernier, Iraola says he expects him to be out for “some time”. #afcb https://t.co/rUbtuhwujg
— Kris Temple (@kristemple) April 6, 2024
table
Difficult to describe how I feel after that. For an hour or so it was an exceptional away day. Noisy, boisterous away following (regardless of the score it was a privilege to be in your presence, loud, proud and 100% behind Andoni and the lads). Boscombe playing beautiful football, almost a “peak Eddie” performance but we only took the one chance. Our subs, for a change, didn’t improve us, Luton ‘s did. It was Andoni ‘s game plan but in reverse. I also don’t think we should underestimate Luton ‘s situation and desire to win. Once we couldn’t match that, they took over.
Fair play to Luton, a squad short of Premier League pedigree but a “band of brothers” attitude. They are a group of hardworking triers, playing as well as a team, as they can, not resorting to physical power. Credit to their manager for that.
From my Bournemouth viewpoint, the ref didn’t have a great match but I am biased.
Subdued Riverside Rocket on the way down the Motorway. As mentioned, away support was great today, last visit we were to the side. This time we were in front of them, brilliant noise : )
Saw and spoke to various dignitaries of this parish. AFCBade, In all departments, Erik the Viking and Ken Bailys Ghost. Also recognized loads of people, it’s always good to be part of the Boscombe Massive : )
Whilst writing this I think I feel, celebrate the first hour, we’re good enough to play that well. The last half hour happened and I can’t change that. First away day for 5 weeks, can’t always get the results you want but we’re enjoying the rest of the day. It’s great to be “back amongst it all” again. – To join the conversation, click here.
