In the wake of another disastrous performance against Millwall last week, The Cherries once again have a chance to change their luck against a side near the bottom with them. With the pressure continuing to mount on Kevin Bond, the team need to be getting a half-decent performance as well as a result on Saturday.
Walsall are currently in a mini-slump having previously won three on the bounce, they drew with Tranmere and the lost at home to Southend last weekend. Their revival however, had only been a pick up from the disastrous start to the season, one even worse than The Cherries, in which they picked up a possible 2 points from 21. The Cherries have already beaten The Saddlers already this season in the 1st Round of the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy, with two early Lee Bradbury goals. Hopefully, a similar result will occur this weekend.
Vital Quotes:
Kevin Bond has reacted to the fans recent outbursts against him with this enlightening and positive *cough* comment:
‘I don’t know if they know that my team is picking itself at the moment. I had 11 fit players…’
Whereas defender Josh Gowling said:
‘?Then we come here and put in a crap performance, it’s just not good enough…It’s shocking, they’ve come all this way (the Cherries fans) and to see that it’s just embarrassing, for me it hurts and at the end of the day I said it about the home fans as well, we come to the home games and we’re even worse than this! So I’d just like to apologise and I just hope they keep coming…’
This went down far better with the fans, to know at least one of the players care!
At Walsall though, things are far more positive. Manager, Richard Money, sating in the last couple of days that:
‘?our performance levels over the past five games have been excellent.`
We can only dream?
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
No senior outfield players were involved for the reserves in the week, as Bond has to keep his depleted squad fit. It is assumed that Jo Kuffour and Adam Lallana will be involved despite Bond saying last week that they weren`t fit.
However, there are rumours abound that Neil Young and Brett Pitman could be involved in the squad. But, Max Gradel is still on compassionate leave in France, whilst long-term injury victims Perrett, Garry, Foley, Bartley, Christophe, and Cummings are going to all be missing again.
Expect to see some of Joe Roach`s youngsters on the bench once more.
Player to watch: Lee Bradbury
The only player in The Cherries who appears to be scoring at the moment. The tall striker has even played out on the wing recently. However, he`ll be boosted by the confidence of already having a brace against Walsall this season, and hopefully, he`ll continue his success in front of goal.
Walsall Team News:
On-loan Dwayne Mattis is out with a broken fibula, so it`s expected Richard Money will continue to stick with the youth. Paul Boertien, Allan Picken, and Carlos Carneiro are all out with injuries also.
However, the experienced Darren Wrack should return having played for the reserves midweek. He`ll bring more knowledge to the side following Martin Butler`s recent loan move to Grimsby.
Player to watch: Tommy Mooney
A striker who has long been around the scene, having even gained some Premiership experience, Mooney has always scored goals regularly for the 10 previous clubs he has had. Following on from his 13 goals last season, Mooney has already notched 3 times this year, giving him a strike rate of 1 in every 3 games. Needs to be kept quiet.
Match Facts & Stats
Current Form:
AFCB – L L L W L L
Walsall – L W W W D L
AFCB at Home:
Played 6, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 5, Scored 3, Conceded 12, Points 1
Walsall away from home:
Played 6, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2, Scored 7, Conceded 6, Points 10
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr F Graham
Assistants: Mr S C Knapp and Mr H W Lennard
Fourth Official: Mr A Rodda
Match Prediction:
With Walsall`s recent dip in form and the desperate situation The Cherries are finding themselves in, something they know they have to address, I`m going to pluck for a 1-1 draw.
Next Fixture:
Bristol Rovers v AFC Bournemouth (Saturday 3rd November 2007, 3pm)
