Ups and Downs In This League

Written by billythekid

The Cherries finished the year with a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford, that is nine goals conceded in two tough fixtures. In December we have lost five games against teams who are in the top seven positions and are in form. In all, we played seven league games during this month and beat two of the teams below us in the league at Dean Court.

Now we go into the start of the New Year and AFCB are back at Dean Court to face Watford, the team we were promoted with into the Premier League for the 2015-16 season. Both sides have had an up and down first half of the 2018-19 season. From top six spots, then dropping down just below half way in the table. At the end of the year, AFCB are in 12th spot in the table with 26 points and Watford in 9th spot with 28 points.

If the talk is about getting the ‘magic’ 40 points, that should be achieved with the team we have. Don’t think we would need 40 points looking at the bottom three, think that figure will be lower. Our first 19 games has given us the most points we have had in the Premier League so far at the half-way stage of the season. We now need to get back to winning ways starting with Watford on Wednesday. Looking on the positive side, after these defeats, we are only 3 points from 7th spot.

As we enter the New Year and the ‘dreaded’ transfer window, both clubs have players linked/rumoured with moves to other clubs. Wilson and Ake for AFCB and Doucouré for Watford.
On the other foot, Eddie may be trying to bring in a player or two because of our growing injury list, which includes two players who play at right back. January is known as normally a hard time to sign players, especially players that are as good as you already have.

After six games Watford (Hornets) were in 4th place with 13 points in the Premier League and AFCB 7th, with a 3 point gap between the teams. Then our team visited there in October, this was the eighth game and we beat them. They dropped to 9th place still on 13 points, AFCB were in 5th spot with 16 points. Watford finished the month with a 3-0 home win against Huddersfield and sitting in 7th place in the table, 1 point and 1 place behind the Cherries.
November was a mixed month of results for Watford. Losing away against Newcastle United 1-0, then drawing 1-1 away against Southampton. The Hornets ended the month losing 0-3 at home against Liverpool. Watford were 9th on 20 points, one place but equal on points with the Cherries.
December carried on as November ended with two more defeats. First away at Leicester City 2-0 and then at home with a 1-2 defeat against Manchester City. Then results started to improve for Watford, they drew 2-2 away against Everton, then won two games on the trot. They beat Cardiff City 3-2 at Vicarage Road, then on their travels beat West Ham 0-2. The next game on Boxing Day they lost to another London club, Chelsea 0-2 at home. The final game of the year was again at home against Newcastle United and it ended in a 1-1 draw.

Tables at half-way through seasons.
2015-16 – AFCB 16th P19 Points 20. Watford 9th P19 Points 29.
2016-17 – AFCB 10th P19 Points 24. Watford 13th P19 Points 22.
2017-18 – AFCB 18th P19 Points 16. Watford 10th P19 Points 22.
2018-19 – AFCB 12th P19 Points 26. Watford 10th P19 Points 27.

The first two seasons in the Premier League our home and away games ended in draws. That trend changed in the 2017-18 season, with Watford winning 0-2 at Dean Court. But the away game did end in a 2-2 draw. Earlier this season we beat Watford 0-4 at Vicarage Road.

Our record in the leagues at home against Watford, we have Won 21, Drawn 19 and Lost 12. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 38, Drawn 37 and Lost 39.

Six Game Form Guide in the Premier League – Starting with the latest game first:

AFCB LLWLLW – Watford DLWWDL

Home Form Table
AFCB – 8th P10 W5 D2 L3 GF16 GA14 Pts17

Away Form Table
Watford – 9th P 9 W3 D L3 GF11 GA10 Pts12

AFCB Team News
Nathan Ake was taken off at Old Trafford with the player holding the back of his leg, he had held the back of his leg earlier in the game but played on. According to early reports, it looks like a hamstring problem. This is not good news if it means losing another key player and another defender.

AFCB Player To Watch
At Dean Court it could be David Brooks who showed good form against Brighton with two good goals. Another player who can cause problems, especially at Dean Court is Ryan Fraser. Callum Wilson is also due another goal.

Watford Team News
Sebastian Prodl knee injury. Andre Gray leg injury. Christian Kabasele shoulder injury.

Watford Player To Watch
Abdoulaye Doucouré, scored 3 goals and has 5 assists to his name.

David Coote is the referee.

Think he must be new on the Premier League list.

Your say…