Last year Bournemouth were knocked out of the play offs in a penalty shoot out. Will they be able to repeat their play off achievement this season? There is a sense in the assessments from pundits that they over achieved last season and the general view seems to be that they will finish just outside the play offs. The Times and Four Four Two give remarkably similar rankings: 8th and 9th respectively.
The Times thinks that a solid defence is a strength, but takes the view that Eddie Howe is a hard act to follow for manager Bradbury. They see the departure of Rhoys Wiggins to Charlton as significant (although some doubts have been expressed about him pre-season) but note the arrival of Adam Barrett from the Glaziers. Captain Jason Pearce has left for Portsmouth.
Four Four Two note the effectiveness of the midfield with March Pugh and Liam Feeney providing the final pass for almost a third of their 75 goals last season. Their fans' player of the season last year was a midfielder, 25-year old Anton Robinson. The former Weymouth player is noted for his 'all-action displays'. Perhaps he comes on and does a dance routine as well.
The Cherries have some difficulty in holding on to a lead, having squandered 32 points from winning positions last season.
On the south coast fans are saying that Charlton are there for the taking, have been 'all over the place' pre-season. Perhaps this is a reference to the Spanish tour, but it would be interesting to know what some of them are on down on the south coast.
More cautious voices are saying they will settle for a draw which would not be good enough for us. I am going for a 2-1 win, the Cherries scoring first after 19 minutes from a free kick and Bradley Wright-Phillips getting both of the Charlton goals.
1 comment:
Blimey, thats a pretty prcise prediction. I shall lose all faith in you if Bournmouth take the lead in the 18th or 20th minute and SWP only gets one of our two goals!
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