Keep The Faith

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