Cherries: We live to fight another day says boss Howe (From Bournemouth Echo)

I wish you wouldn't say the word promotion . You build people's hopes up . You know Eddie we are not good enough for promotion . But having said that we are playing very good exciting football . So get the word promotion out of your mind and carry on playing the good football we are playing under your leadership ,

Yes, their goalkeeper made some excellent saves and worked hard.
How old is he? 40 plus.
We had a goalkeeper who worked just as hard and made some great saves.
What was his name? Oh, yes David James.
How old was he? Over 40 wasn't he?
But we didn't want to keep him, did we?

It's not all lost, but clearly EH is struggling to know what his best team is. Last week Hughes, this week McDonald, Tubbs, pitman, McQuoid all in and out. Richie having to play out of position when we could recall Meads, brought in the summer to challenge Daniels. Demouge, another option lost. We are playing some great football but not shooting enough or taking the chances we do create. Also luck plays a part and we are getting none!

In Eddie we trust. It's not all over yet. So get behind the boys.

Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Bring Demouge back and drop Grabban then we might start to score goals.

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Thank god for realistic people like you, a good and measured comment. Agree totally.

Eddie must be HUGELY frustrated, the chances missed game after game. Although the argument could be he doesn't use Tubbs who showed how to find the net, but I trust Eddie's judgement. If the forwards/midfield were converting chances into goals, it takes the pressure off the defence. Nothing against James, he has obviously been a fantastic player, and he may well marshal the defence well, but he is also prone to too many errors resulting in giving goals away. The answer is simple, it's not the defence, it's not the midfield as such, it's all these missed chances, if we weren't creating them I'd be worried, but we are. As for Demouge, on that point I tend to agree, unless of cause our league is too physical for him???

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Great post. I suppose that naturally after being top of the league we all got carried away but as they say the table don't lie. Play offs would be a fantastic achievement and a day at wembley would be the icing on the cake. If not let's get behind the lads next season and give it a right good go

greenshoes wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Thank god for realistic people like you, a good and measured comment. Agree totally.

A comment of common sense and a practical view of the current team. Finally a measured point of view.

Thank you

djd wrote:
Yes, their goalkeeper made some excellent saves and worked hard.
How old is he? 40 plus.
We had a goalkeeper who worked just as hard and made some great saves.
What was his name? Oh, yes David James.
How old was he? Over 40 wasn't he?
But we didn't want to keep him, did we?

I agree with dropping James. He never looked like a great keeper here and some would argue he never did elsewhere. Far too many basic errors.
Shot stopping isn't enough.

Afcbpete wrote:
Eddie must be HUGELY frustrated, the chances missed game after game. Although the argument could be he doesn't use Tubbs who showed how to find the net, but I trust Eddie's judgement. If the forwards/midfield were converting chances into goals, it takes the pressure off the defence. Nothing against James, he has obviously been a fantastic player, and he may well marshal the defence well, but he is also prone to too many errors resulting in giving goals away. The answer is simple, it's not the defence, it's not the midfield as such, it's all these missed chances, if we weren't creating them I'd be worried, but we are. As for Demouge, on that point I tend to agree, unless of cause our league is too physical for him???

We havent had a clean sheet since James was left out as for the defence if their not to blame then its no good waiting for Elphick and Daniels to comeback. When things are going wrong dont concede.We went very close on Saturday on a number of occasions they will start going in again soon. It is very frustrating but lets not give up yet its only the second week in March

CSeat80 wrote:

greenshoes wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Thank god for realistic people like you, a good and measured comment. Agree totally.

A comment of common sense and a practical view of the current team. Finally a measured point of view.

Thank you

Was just trying to put the last 5 games into perspective and came across this post. Such a shame that most posts aren't as considered as this one. We would have walked over hot coals to be in this position before EH arrived and, now we are, it is still not good enough for some. At worst we will still be in League One next season and will, this time, have a whole season to mount a promotion campaign. And who knows, we only need one of the top six to experience a similar run to us and we are back in with a chance.

Afcbpete wrote:
Eddie must be HUGELY frustrated, the chances missed game after game. Although the argument could be he doesn't use Tubbs who showed how to find the net, but I trust Eddie's judgement. If the forwards/midfield were converting chances into goals, it takes the pressure off the defence. Nothing against James, he has obviously been a fantastic player, and he may well marshal the defence well, but he is also prone to too many errors resulting in giving goals away. The answer is simple, it's not the defence, it's not the midfield as such, it's all these missed chances, if we weren't creating them I'd be worried, but we are. As for Demouge, on that point I tend to agree, unless of cause our league is too physical for him???

Too physical!have u seen the size of him!!!!

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Post of the season!

MidlandExile wrote:

CSeat80 wrote:

greenshoes wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Thank god for realistic people like you, a good and measured comment. Agree totally.

A comment of common sense and a practical view of the current team. Finally a measured point of view.

Thank you

Was just trying to put the last 5 games into perspective and came across this post. Such a shame that most posts aren't as considered as this one. We would have walked over hot coals to be in this position before EH arrived and, now we are, it is still not good enough for some. At worst we will still be in League One next season and will, this time, have a whole season to mount a promotion campaign. And who knows, we only need one of the top six to experience a similar run to us and we are back in with a chance.

I agree with you. If someone told any Cherries fan that we'd be 7th and 3 points of the play offs come the second weekend of March we would have laughed at them and told them to jog on. Eddie has worked wonders and long may it continue.

I've just watched Wes Thomas score two quality goals for Birmingham. When he was with us he didn't know where the goals. Sickening.
We need some luck now but there was none yesterday. What summed it up for me was sky scraper Jones' scuffing his attemped clearance. The ball travelled about 9 inches, straight into Sullivan's hands. Pure luck!
Yesterday we showed quality and should have won but we didn't DESERVE to win because of failure in two absolute basics-we made our customary handful of errors in defence and YET AGAIN missed clear cut chances.
Eddie and Jason have been fantastic but there are things I don't understand.
We know that Tubbs plays better with a big man up front. He did that at Crawley. Why not give Demouge, who is now scoring freely, a go with Tubbs? Why persist with a makeshift defence? The extra money we would pay a good left back or centre back will be recouped by play-off revenues.
And a thug in midfield wouldn't go amiss.

Where's Shminto ? I was getting worried then remembered he is scouting a Lincolnshire Combination Sunday Division 7 game . No worries he will soon be back to cast a negative " season over " post soon . We don't want to get carried away with all the sensible comments !

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

i can see your point however we were top 5 matches ago and had won 4 on the trot then EH makes 4 unforced changes to a winning team, why change a winning team ? we had hardly any cover in defence and he sends zubar out on loan, he sends demouge out on loan who is scoring in the dutch premier league, and as for his choice of loan signings enough said. eddie howe is by far the highest paid manager in this division, so on the basis of his huge salary 5 defeats on the trot is not acceptable

Play offs against Swindon anyone ? Then Yeovil in final come on u cherries lets start winning a cement a play off place uptiad

There are many,many reasons why it's all going Pete Tong at the moment but after the frustration of enduring our 5th loss on the bounce 24 hours later it's time to put things into perspective again.We've come a long way,we are 3 points and one place outside the play offs,we have 9 games left,(27 points to play for),we have suffered injuries in key positions,we are currently having a bad run in front of goal and we don't seem to be getting the breaks you need sometimes at the moment but we won't keep losing forever and things will change again.
Regards most peoples complaints regarding playing personel lets have a look at some of the facts,David James was one game away from triggering a years contract extension and seeing as Eddie wants to build a younger side it wouldn't make sense to be paying James to sit on the bench for another year if his long term plan is to go with Allsop,(i think Jalal might be coming to the end of his Dean Court career,too many bad decions nowadays),Demouge obviously wasn't fancied to handle the physical aspects of League 1,Dutch football isn't built like that and Eddie was watching him every day in training so that's his call,the same regards John Meades who obviously isn't ready yet,(these are all Groves signings),Seaborne and Painter have come in with good reputations and if it hasn't quite come off,(especially in Painters case),then it's unfortunate as every signing any team makes represents a gamble,Tubbs,and this is only my opinion,always seems to have a better impact coming off the bench rather then starting games and i remember only the other week he was getting slagged off when he missed a one on one against Coventry!Brett and Grabbs unfortunatly seem to be firing blanks at the mo,maybe a rest,(especially in Grabbs case),might make a difference although options up front are limited to a certain extent.Would love to see Matt Ritchie in his best position,as i'm sure Eddie would,but circumstances are dictating otherwise for now. So nothing else for it but back to basics,keep fighting,hope our luck will change and most importantly keep faith in the players and management because Eddie Howe is the best thing to ever happen to this football club for many,many years and will lead this club onwards and upwards.Looking forward,whatever league we're in, to pre season when Eddie starts to build the team HE wants and to watch that team prosper and progress.

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

i can see your point however we were top 5 matches ago and had won 4 on the trot then EH makes 4 unforced changes to a winning team, why change a winning team ? we had hardly any cover in defence and he sends zubar out on loan, he sends demouge out on loan who is scoring in the dutch premier league, and as for his choice of loan signings enough said. eddie howe is by far the highest paid manager in this division, so on the basis of his huge salary 5 defeats on the trot is not acceptable

So losing 5 on the trott is unacceptable. Whereas, if we had lost 5 with a few wins in between it would be deemed acceptable? I don't get some some people. How do you know they were unforced changes? the players might have had nothing left in the tank, even so if he didn't make the 4 changes we still could have lost. even if we don't go up this season Eddie can shape his squad in the summer and then push for promotion next season.

Both Doncaster goals down to poor goalkeeping, particularly the second - Allsop should never have been beaten on his near post! Jalal would have saved both!

lofty1971 wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

Post of the season!

In business we r only as good as our last success - yes EH has done a good job but we are all upset that the good run has stopped - there is nothing wrong with the word promotion we would all like this to happen for the club to progress but there does not appear to be a plan B when things go wrong due to injuries etc - we need a 20 year old Steve F who I think was responsible for the goal by Tubbs - when u need results it does not often happen as teams are fighting for league positions bringing in loan players etc.we want to be in the next league up.

John Peek wrote:
Both Doncaster goals down to poor goalkeeping, particularly the second - Allsop should never have been beaten on his near post! Jalal would have saved both!

One post that deals with the inexplicable decisions by EH. The same goalkeeper and the same strikers were on the winning side for five games. In four defeats the strikers manage ONE goal between them yet they stay in the side for the fifth defeat!! The striker not given the chance scores the only goal for us.
If EH is basing his selection on some of the comments made by fans with an attitude to specific players, then he is letting the more intelligent fans who believe in his stewardship down.

9 games = 27 pts , Up the Cherries.

Dukecherry wrote:

John Peek wrote:
Both Doncaster goals down to poor goalkeeping, particularly the second - Allsop should never have been beaten on his near post! Jalal would have saved both!

One post that deals with the inexplicable decisions by EH. The same goalkeeper and the same strikers were on the winning side for five games. In four defeats the strikers manage ONE goal between them yet they stay in the side for the fifth defeat!! The striker not given the chance scores the only goal for us.
If EH is basing his selection on some of the comments made by fans with an attitude to specific players, then he is letting the more intelligent fans who believe in his stewardship down.

You have a point. Tubbs surely has to be given a proper run in the team, he's a goal scorer given a bit of confidence, but he doesn't get that confidence from the manager. Why drop Jahlal when he's done alright or even James for that matter. McDonald should of been back in the team at the earliest opportunity, yesterday his contribution was superb. Agreed, all is not lost so hopefully we will turn things round and push for a play off place. Up the cherries!

Eddie has done amazing things but I think he has made an error in he's drive to force down the wage bill.

Grabban/Tubbs are league 2

Pitman is better but not Championship

We havent got any fire power up front. We could all see it over the last few matches so Eddie must see it so why hasnt he done anything about it?

There can only be 3 reasons!

He is a poor manager? Rubbish!

He is not allowed to spend any more money? Possible

He is loyal to his team? Madness!

Oakdale12 wrote:
9 games = 27 pts , Up the Cherries.

Delusional

raybren wrote:
Where's Shminto ? I was getting worried then remembered he is scouting a Lincolnshire Combination Sunday Division 7 game . No worries he will soon be back to cast a negative " season over " post soon . We don't want to get carried away with all the sensible comments !

Ahh, he's a football scout....there's me thinking he was a boys scout....

Why did we get Pitman for 60,000? because he is useless.
Why did we get Howe back? because he is useless. Enough said i think. Boscombe have 3 good players Francis , Macdonald and Ritchie the rest should find another job.

AFCB_Lanky wrote:

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

i can see your point however we were top 5 matches ago and had won 4 on the trot then EH makes 4 unforced changes to a winning team, why change a winning team ? we had hardly any cover in defence and he sends zubar out on loan, he sends demouge out on loan who is scoring in the dutch premier league, and as for his choice of loan signings enough said. eddie howe is by far the highest paid manager in this division, so on the basis of his huge salary 5 defeats on the trot is not acceptable

So losing 5 on the trott is unacceptable. Whereas, if we had lost 5 with a few wins in between it would be deemed acceptable? I don't get some some people. How do you know they were unforced changes? the players might have had nothing left in the tank, even so if he didn't make the 4 changes we still could have lost. even if we don't go up this season Eddie can shape his squad in the summer and then push for promotion next season.

yes losing 5 on the trot is unacceptable, if it was groves or bradders everyone would be saying boot him out but because it is eddie howe is it ok then ? you use the words "if might and could have " yet i have only stated the facts. i don't get some people, the comments on here questioning some of his decisions are increasing by the day and like i said if groves or bradders were in charge people would have different things to say.

Our promotion chances are probably over for this season and it's time everyone accepted that, including the management at AFCB, who should now start planning for next season's promotion challenge.
Get rid of the squad players who haven't played or performed consistently this season asap (McQuid, James, Jalal, Partington, McDermott, Hughes etc) and forget recruiting replacements from League One and Two. We need big strong young capable players who have been there and done it at Championship level if we want to get out of this division. Look at the last few games against promotion challenging teams. Big strong sides who have bullied us off the ball, scored a goal against our makeshift defence and shut up shop. Our lightweight midfielders and attackers have barely had a sniff and when they have they've missed because they're simply not good enough to perform consistently at this level. This is fact. We also don't have a plan B if our tactics aren't working which is obvious from recent results. Teams have sussed us out and negated our strengths easily in recent games.
If by some miracle the confidence returns there's a chance of making the play-offs of course, but we'll only come up against a team like Sheffield Utd who will likely see us off over two legs like Huddersfield did two years ago. If we do get to the play-off final it will only be if we have a fully fit Daniels and Elphick back in the team who we have sorely missed. We've been rubbish without them.
Sorry to be negative but that's how I see things. I hope I'm wrong and we stuff Stevenage Tuesday night and go on another run, but I'm expecting another poor performance from a team devoid of confidence and another defeat at the hands of another big strong bunch of bully boys.
UTCIAD!

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

i can see your point however we were top 5 matches ago and had won 4 on the trot then EH makes 4 unforced changes to a winning team, why change a winning team ? we had hardly any cover in defence and he sends zubar out on loan, he sends demouge out on loan who is scoring in the dutch premier league, and as for his choice of loan signings enough said. eddie howe is by far the highest paid manager in this division, so on the basis of his huge salary 5 defeats on the trot is not acceptable

So losing 5 on the trott is unacceptable. Whereas, if we had lost 5 with a few wins in between it would be deemed acceptable? I don't get some some people. How do you know they were unforced changes? the players might have had nothing left in the tank, even so if he didn't make the 4 changes we still could have lost. even if we don't go up this season Eddie can shape his squad in the summer and then push for promotion next season.

yes losing 5 on the trot is unacceptable, if it was groves or bradders everyone would be saying boot him out but because it is eddie howe is it ok then ? you use the words "if might and could have " yet i have only stated the facts. i don't get some people, the comments on here questioning some of his decisions are increasing by the day and like i said if groves or bradders were in charge people would have different things to say.

you say why use if/mightg etc etc. ¬if groves or bradders, they're not, they didn't go on a long unbeaten unlike Howe. why do you expect us to go up when the likes of Sheff Utd, Doncaster and Coventry are in our league who actually have had championship pedigree wheras we haven't been in the old second whilst i've been alive. Would people be complaining if we were in this position having lost 5 games at different points during Howe's reign? no since why have a moan now.

The Renegade Master wrote:
Our promotion chances are probably over for this season and it's time everyone accepted that, including the management at AFCB, who should now start planning for next season's promotion challenge.
Get rid of the squad players who haven't played or performed consistently this season asap (McQuid, James, Jalal, Partington, McDermott, Hughes etc) and forget recruiting replacements from League One and Two. We need big strong young capable players who have been there and done it at Championship level if we want to get out of this division. Look at the last few games against promotion challenging teams. Big strong sides who have bullied us off the ball, scored a goal against our makeshift defence and shut up shop. Our lightweight midfielders and attackers have barely had a sniff and when they have they've missed because they're simply not good enough to perform consistently at this level. This is fact. We also don't have a plan B if our tactics aren't working which is obvious from recent results. Teams have sussed us out and negated our strengths easily in recent games.
If by some miracle the confidence returns there's a chance of making the play-offs of course, but we'll only come up against a team like Sheffield Utd who will likely see us off over two legs like Huddersfield did two years ago. If we do get to the play-off final it will only be if we have a fully fit Daniels and Elphick back in the team who we have sorely missed. We've been rubbish without them.
Sorry to be negative but that's how I see things. I hope I'm wrong and we stuff Stevenage Tuesday night and go on another run, but I'm expecting another poor performance from a team devoid of confidence and another defeat at the hands of another big strong bunch of bully boys.
UTCIAD!

Get your act together mate. You're all over the place. Attackers who cannot score, yet none of them figure on your list of "dead wood". We should forget about promotion, yet you expect a miracle.
Fans like you should stop playing PL manager from home unless you are another TM.
EH is a human being and is liable to making mistakes. It is his job to get things right.

AFCB_Lanky wrote:

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:

here we go wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote:
Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October.

Over and Out.

i can see your point however we were top 5 matches ago and had won 4 on the trot then EH makes 4 unforced changes to a winning team, why change a winning team ? we had hardly any cover in defence and he sends zubar out on loan, he sends demouge out on loan who is scoring in the dutch premier league, and as for his choice of loan signings enough said. eddie howe is by far the highest paid manager in this division, so on the basis of his huge salary 5 defeats on the trot is not acceptable

So losing 5 on the trott is unacceptable. Whereas, if we had lost 5 with a few wins in between it would be deemed acceptable? I don't get some some people. How do you know they were unforced changes? the players might have had nothing left in the tank, even so if he didn't make the 4 changes we still could have lost. even if we don't go up this season Eddie can shape his squad in the summer and then push for promotion next season.

yes losing 5 on the trot is unacceptable, if it was groves or bradders everyone would be saying boot him out but because it is eddie howe is it ok then ? you use the words "if might and could have " yet i have only stated the facts. i don't get some people, the comments on here questioning some of his decisions are increasing by the day and like i said if groves or bradders were in charge people would have different things to say.

you say why use if/mightg etc etc. ¬if groves or bradders, they're not, they didn't go on a long unbeaten unlike Howe. why do you expect us to go up when the likes of Sheff Utd, Doncaster and Coventry are in our league who actually have had championship pedigree wheras we haven't been in the old second whilst i've been alive. Would people be complaining if we were in this position having lost 5 games at different points during Howe's reign? no since why have a moan now.

where have i said i expect us to go up, ? of course it would be different if we had lost 5 games at different points but we didnt, we lost 5 in a row after getting to the top try and get that fact into your head, the manager takes the credit when things are good so he should take the blame now after all it is him that picks the team.

golfer33 wrote:
Why did we get Pitman for 60,000? because he is useless.
Why did we get Howe back? because he is useless. Enough said i think. Boscombe have 3 good players Francis , Macdonald and Ritchie the rest should find another job.

What are u on about you fool Francis is one of the worst rb I seen he made so many mistakes this season

I agree with all the comments, yes were a happy to be where we are after the start we had but we also have paid a lot of money to the players on big wages and fees to get us where we are, play off's should be the minimum. I also agree about the size of our players Eddie does like them small !! but you look at all the northern side big and stong and we can't compete. We have no plan B and have been worked out of games. You could see what was going to happen on Saturday can't score and bang we lose a goal. Grabs need a rest he's not the same player or has fame gone to his head ?? we can't keep asking a 40 year old Fletch to keep us in the game get Demouge back.

Deancourt2013 wrote:
Play offs against Swindon anyone ? Then Yeovil in final come on u cherries lets start winning a cement a play off place uptiad

Like I said, Delusional.

you have the biggest playing budget in the league and have spent the most money so you should be going for promotion.

Still a long way to go and i keep saying all teams will drop points and to teams we should all expect to beat but that happens this time of the season as the teams down the bottom are fighting for everything and nerves set in with teams at the top.
There will be alot of twists and turns yet.

As for the guy who said us in the play offs and you get yeovil in the final thats as bad as Harry Arter saying you were guaranteed promotion which is the most ridiculous comment i have heard and stupid comment.

lofty1971 wrote:

AFCB_Lanky wrote: Wow people Eddie had a 12 game handicap and took us from 21st to top. We have no right to claim promotion as at the start of the season we looked liked we would go down, and when Eddie came in we only thought about mid table. To get this close to the play-off places is an over achievement and we should be proud of Eddie and the team for getting us here. So what we go on a 5 match unbeaten run, we've lost like 7 games all season. If these were more spaced out no-one would be complaining, but 5 on the bounce and everyone is moaning about promotion, when realistically we were hardly going to get it. If the fans put their trust in Eddie and the team and we get out of this rut maybe and just maybe we can push for the play-offs. But we shouldn't be expecting to go up as we were in a completely different situation in October. Over and Out.

Post of the season!

Hardly !
5 games ago we were top of the league. We have a large and expensively assembled squad, playing in the poorest Division 1 I have ever seen.
To thow this away is criminal - when do you ever see a team top of the league lose 5 on the bounce ?
At this point there are no excuses !!

We desperatly need to improve defensively, no confidence there.
And a variation in attack,after half an hour we seemed clueless, O'Kane worked nonstop.Grabbon looks as though he dosent want to be there,he seems to have turned into Wes Thomas!
COME ON CHERRIES WE ARE ALL WILLING YOU TO WIN

I don't think it's been said yet today but the run we are on now is the worst league run we've had under any manager or personnel since the start of the Great Escape (1994).

I don't care if they lose two in a row, or even three. But FIVE? On our budget? With our fine manager? With our huge squad? That's incomprehensible!!

This is not Eddie's fault entirely but the way he handled being top of the league was curious. Why did he heap so much pressure on the boys at Preston, calling it a "tough game," "even more tough when you're top." Ruddy cliches! Preston hadn't won at home in five months! That's not a tough game at ALL! You should be walking stuff like that on such a winning run. Doncaster: you should worry about. Preston: you absolutely shouldn't. So why did we choke?

Mr Perrett has it spot on. We built our run entirely around getting the first goal in a game. Our players can only play the "knock it round 'em and outsprint 'em" game against open defences. When teams have a go from the off and score first, our players don't have that ability to out-muscle or split the tight defence. We've gone behind 17 times; only come back to win once.

Now, it's all very well saying expectations are too high and roll on next season but... can you imagine the demoralizing knock-on effect next season if this disastrous run continues? The players will be devastated. How could the same men possibly recover from that?

The bad run must be stopped now. Here is where Eddie and Jason prove their worth. And the strong players rise above the challenge.

Come on U Reds!

To the 2 responses to my post....
Firstly I'm not saying the loss of Tommy and Charlie hasn't had an impact, of cause it has, a HUGE one, and yes, we've conceded. What I am saying, with ALL those wasted chances, even WITH injuries and goals scored against, we should of still won most of those 5 games. Coventry and Donny should of been well beaten long before they scored. As for Demouge, TOTALLY agree he SHOULD be up to this league, that's why at first I thought what an excellent signing he'd be, but I refer comments made by others who have seen more of him than me, and they seem to think he's not up to the physical challenge, so that's why I ask the question.

SUFFERINGBJ wrote:
We desperatly need to improve defensively, no confidence there.
And a variation in attack,after half an hour we seemed clueless, O'Kane worked nonstop.Grabbon looks as though he dosent want to be there,he seems to have turned into Wes Thomas!
COME ON CHERRIES WE ARE ALL WILLING YOU TO WIN

Is a BJ something that's suffered???

Still plenty of time for yourselves to get back into it - a few more tough games coming up again tomorrow and the weekend so could be all changed again - we will do our best to do you a favour at Brentford tomorrow - it's so close and to be only 3 points off play offs after a recent poor run is not all bad.
Good luck in getting the runners up spot (Swindon as champs (I hope) of course!!).

On a lighter note - did any of you notice Man Ure have appointed the Equalizer as their new chief exec???