AFC Bournemouth enter the busy Christmas period with only
one win in nine and with some defensive injury worries.
Central defender
Elliott Ward has been ruled out for a couple of weeks and Steve Cook is
unlikely to feature against Brighton after being stretchered off against Derby
County.
Cook’s injury is not as bad as first feared but it is
believed he has some ankle ligament damage and will face a struggle to be back
fit in the next week or so.
Cook who in my opinion has been the outstanding Cherries
player this season, will be disappointed to miss out against his former side
Brighton on Saturday.
The injuries will give an opportunity for captain Tommy
Elphick also a former Brighton player, to claim his place back in the starting
line up, Elphick has found himself a bit part player so far this season but
will be hoping to impress on Saturday.
Now on to the positives, the return of Matt Ritchie last
week was like signing a new star player and I believe that the live Sky game on
Saturday against Brighton will give Ritchie the platform to announce his return
to fitness.
Ritchie who was named League One player of the year last
year will be eager to impress at Championship level and may be the catalyst for
our team to start scoring at home again.
This week has also seen AFCB sign Arsenal youngster Nico
Yennaris who has been capped at England under 19 level can play in Midfield or
Defence and looks an exciting prospect.
Eddie Howe has also extended the loan deal of outstanding
West Brom goalkeeper Lee Camp, who has signed on till January.
Brighton will be a tough prospect on Saturday and is the
start of a very interesting week for the Cherries, we travel to London to face
QPR on Tuesday night followed by an away trip to Reading a week on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how we fair against three top
teams in the Championship.
As for Saturday lets hope we can start scoring at home again
I am back Ritchie to make an impact and for us to get a result.
Prediction Cherries 2-1
Keep The Faith.
Essential Cherries
