The Cherries are entertained by Oldham on Tuesday, following their unsurprising 2-0 defeat to Leeds on Saturday. It could have been different for AFCB though, if the mistakes had been eradicated and the chances taken and Kevin Bond will hope this happens at Boundary Park. To help the players with their recovery and preparation, the team has been able to stay up North for no extra cost. With Oldham struggling at home this season, AFCB need to look at the game as one to win if they are to make up the 11 points they are from safety.
Oldham comfortably disposed of Tranmere on Saturday at Boundary Park by 3 goals to 1. making up for the disappointing 1-0 defeat against Hartlepool the Tuesday before. The double was completed by goals all scored by former youth-team players, boding a bright future for the club, something AFCB are hoping to emulate soon. The team that have in recent seasons been pushing around the promotion places are in a similar position this season, currently sitting in 9th position with 50 points, 4 off the play-off places.
Vital Quotes:
After the match at Elland Road, Kevin Bond spoke to The Daily Echo:
‘I thought we did enough to win the game and it was only because we didn’t finish that we didn’t get the points. But it’s difficult to be too critical of the lads because I thought they performed really well under the circumstances. We carved out chances but, unfortunately, didn’t take them… The performance was good. The centre-halves performed really well and Vokesy was a real handful throughout the game and probably would have had a hat-trick on another day.’
Young Oldham striker, Lewis Alessandra, spoke to The Official Oldham Website after bagging his first senior goal for the club on Saturday:
‘I`m very happy; it`s been coming and I was glad to get my first goal but the three points are more important? Then Leon was very unselfish for my goal by putting a great ball across. I couldn`t really not score and just put it into an empty net. It was a fantastic feeling and I loved it; I got a bit stuck with the celebration but it`s definitely a feeling I could get used to. At the end of the day it`s my job to score goals and I was very pleased to get my first.’
Oldham Athletic Team News:
John Sheridan has a growing injury list at the moment. David Livermore, Jordan Roberston, lee Hughes, Craig Davies, and Andy Liddell will all be missing, as will Sean Gregan as he has only just returned to training. JP Kalala and John Thompson will be continuing their push to return to the side after being out of action recently.
Player to watch: Mark Crossley
38 appearances this season shows the experienced ‘keeper can still perform at this level. He left Fulham in the summer, and has flourished as The Lactics push for promotion. Crossley holds the distinction of being the only ‘keeper to save a Matt Le Tissier penalty and his 6` 3″, 15st 8lbs frame will be hoping to keep The Cherries at bay.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
AFCB stayed up North following Saturday`s match so the squad is bound to be the same. Stewart, Moss, Garry, Perrett, Foley, and Anderton are out, along with Bradbury and Tessem who missed out at the weekend. David Forde is most likely to continue in goal ahead of Ryan Pryce as he plays his second and final game of his emergency loan signing.
Player to watch: David Forde
The emergency loan signing will hope to gain a Cherries clean sheet in what could be his last game for AFCB! Selected over Ryan Pryce at Leeds on Saturday, the ‘keeper was partially blame for the opening goal as he collided with Neil Young. Hopefully, the communication will be better at Boundary Park.
Match Facts & Stats:
Current Form:
Oldham – W L D W L W
AFCB – W L L D W L
Oldham at Home:
Played 18, Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 6, Scored 21, Conceded 18, Points 24
AFCB Away from Home:
Played 18, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 11, Scored 24, Conceded 30, Points 17
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistant Referees: Mr J Collin & Mr D Unsworth
Fourth Official: Mr M A Naylor
Match Prediction:
Oldham`s home record isn`t the best, and The Cherries have done well on their travels. Add in the fact that they have stayed up North the last few days; tiredness is one excuse that won`t be permitted. I`m going for 2-1 Cherries win.
Next Fixture:
AFC Bournemouth v Yeovil Town (Coca Cola League 1, Saturday 15th Match 2008, 3pm)
