HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

"Welcome to my dream", "Life as a Cherries supporter does not get more surreal", "I can't ever remember it being like this", "This is undoubtedly the best football I have seen us play", "This team will certainly be talked about for ever", "It is Cherry blossom time indeed."

Bournemouth's seven-game winning run ended with a scoreless draw last Saturday week in their top-of-the-table clash at Middlesbrough. This run catapulted them to their highest ever league position on top of the table, although the draw at the Riverside saw them slip back into second place.

"The Middlesbrough performance was a fine indicator of how the team has improved. We can hold our own against anyone in the league. With luck we can be in the same position come the end of the season", "Boro fans were saying that it was a good point against one of the best sides in the league."

"I can't quite believe that this is the club I support. These are special times indeed", "We are so much better than this time last year. The players have grown together as a team. The team spirit and their ability combine to make us as good as any team in this division."

Staying Under The Radar

"It's funny. Whenever we beat a team, they can't understand how it happened", "Often people say they played poorly against us and were disappointing", "It still cracks me us that we're giving so many experts a shock. We're so lucky to be watching talented players and an amazing manager."

Cherries have had a running gag during their winning run around how long they could go unnoticed either by opponents or by the wider media. "We're still under the radar. Let's all enjoy it while it lasts", "Let's quietly watch and hope history unfolds."

Wins Over Birmingham and West Brom

The Cherries' radar cover disappeared after their league record 8-0 demolition of then-managerless Birmingham at St Andrew's. "It's great to attend a moment of history. This game will be discussed in pub chats until we all shuffle off this mortal coil. It was beautiful to behold."

"Eddie's beautiful football coincided with a team ripe for the picking and down to 10 men. It was a recipe for something and it turned into a day which those there and those listening at home will never forget", "What a day out. I still can't believe it. Eddie was God and I was there."

Howe made no fewer than 10 changes after the Birmingham win for the Cherries' 2-1 Capital One Cup victory four days later over the Baggies. "Bloody hell, how times have changed. We're on the verge of the League Cup quarter-finals and we play the reserves."

"West Brom's forum was saying that it was baffling how good our reserves were", "They couldn't live with our pace and fitness levels. They seemed utterly shocked by our intensity and commitment and boy, am I proud of that", "We were the best team on the pitch and no doubt about it."

Eddie Howe

"We are genuinely lucky to have one of England's most talented young managers and one who obviously loves AFC Bournemouth. How lucky we are and how proud all of us should feel", "Bring a Cherries fan himself, his achievements should give him great satisfaction."

"Eddie can take a good player and turn him into an excellent player by enabling them to find that extra 25 per cent within themselves", "The inescapable fact is that Eddie improves the skill of his players, unlike the chequebook managers that seem to be loved by the press."

Eddie Howe has propelled his team to the upper echelons of the division while keeping the nucleus of the team which was promoted two seasons ago. "This is exactly what Messrs Clough and Taylor achieved all those years ago when they turned two unfashionable provincial clubs into champions."

"His substitutions show how he can adapt to the ever changing nature of a 90-minute game." Howe is praised for his tactical astuteness and his winning mentality. "On too many occasions in the past, our former managers have worried about stopping the opposition or not losing by half-time."

This love runs deeper for some fans. "I love him so much. He's smart, elegant and the antithesis to Ron Manager. I just watched the post West Brom interview a few sheets to the wind and am going to go to bed to cry for a bit. I can't wait until he gets us to a World Cup semi-final."

Flexible 4-4-2

"The 4-4-2 we play is not the system of old. Most formations these days are so flexible. Players have to be tactically intelligent and aware of space to succeed these days", "We don't play down the middle. We always play from the middle out to the wings."

Bournemouth play a high-tempo passing game built around a 4-4-2 system, with one striker often dropping back to link with and support the midfielders. Much of their threat comes from the flanks, with wingers crossing or cutting inside to take advantage of the space created by strikers.

"One of the strikers, either Kermorgant or Pitman will come deep to collect the ball. Wingers will cut inside to exploit and fill gaps and the other striker Callum Wilson floats out wide to find space. It's never a strict 4-4-2. In that sense 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 aren't all that different."

Bournemouth 3-2 Brighton

It's worth noting that Bournemouth's win over the Seagulls came with a few headaches. "Brighton did their homework and really doubled up on our flank players very quickly. Our central midfielders often looked up but couldn't find any gaps. It was clever, and they were unlucky not to get a draw."

"Brighton made things difficult for us. They were fairly ugly to watch but their game-plan was a natural counter to ours and they gave us a real scare", "They seemed to be on us straight away. They gave us no time to settle and play our usual patient passing game whenever we got the ball."

"We struggled to deal with their five-man midfield and their pressing game", "Our passing wasn't up to scratch and we didn't feed the ball into the strikers enough", "Our midfield were in giveaway mode too often", "I have never seen our midfielders give the ball away so much."

This inability to get a passing rhythm going was echoed in their post-match comments after the draw at the Riverside. "Boro caused us a lot of problems with their harrying. We weren't able to play our passing game as effectively as we have in the past."

Defence

With five clean sheets in their last six league games, fans have few defensive concerns. "Our tight defence sniffed out Middlesbrough's energetic and enterprising attacks", "We looked solid at the back today without sitting back", "They replaced both first-choice strikers as they were kept quiet."

Artur Boruc

"The biggest deal we need to do in January is to sign Boruc permanently." The 34-year-old ex-Celtic keeper is on loan from Southampton until January. "He has shown himself to be more than capable at this level in previous games", "I would sign him up tomorrow if the opportunity presents itself."

The Polish international's shot stopping end experience are greatly valued. "He pulled off a great save against Brighton from a powerful Dunk header", "He is the final piece in the jigsaw to a promotion gaining team. We can kiss our promotion hopes goodbye if he is injured."

"Charlie Daniels is not a bad player. He is a very good player, but he can be too attacking at times leaving us defensively exposed." The 28-year-old former Orient left-back "has had a shaky start to the season but has improved. He has been much more consistent over the last two months."

"Daniels struggled with the pace of Nathan Redmond against Norwich", "Redmond skipped past him as if he wasn't there for their goal. It was a shocker", "He works better with Pugh in front of him as we need his pace and overlapping", "He puts in a good shift and his links up play well with Pugh."

Former Leeds and Reading left-back Ian Harte "is not a long-term solution but is ideal if we need to be a little more solid at the back against a team with marauding wingers." The 37-year-old "uses his experience where his pace is lacking", but "he gets turned easily and struggles with his lack of pace".

"Tommy Elphick was imperious against Middlesbrough. He won everything and marshalled the defence well", "He's Captain Fantastic who puts his body in front of everything." The 27-year-old former Brighton centre-back is praised for his "steady as you go marshalling of a great defence."

He was one of the few regular starters to play in the West Brom win. "It was great to see Elphick and Harte talking the inexperienced Baily Cargill through the game", "His interceptions and tackles are very good", "He was dominant in the Birmingham game against the lively Clayton Donaldson."

"I don't think there's a better centre-back pairing outside the Premier League than Cook and Elphick." "Steve Cook was not to be passed against Middlesbrough and had an excellent game", "His heading is solid and his reading of the game on the ground and passing are top quality."

The 23-year-old former Seagull struggled against his old club. "Teixeira threaded a beautiful ball inside him for their first goal", "Cook's poor distribution was at fault but came from the pressure he was under", "He looked a shadow of his former self. His heading and passing were woeful."

Simon Francis

"Simon Francis is amazing, doing two jobs every week. He must have the lung capacity of three dolphins", "He has really flourished since Eddie came back", "Charlton played him in various positions, but was given the right-back berth here, and has stayed there ever since."

"Every week he does the same job. He's a winger's nightmare." The 29-year-old former Addick was the architect-in-chief of the Birmingham rout. "He is such a consistent player. He's full of energy, an excellent crosser of the ball and a team player", "I hope the engine in my car is as good as him."

"Francis strolled up and down against Birmingham as troubled as a member of Mensa doing the Daily Star crossword." He did find life tougher against the Seagulls: "He and Ritchie were doubled and trebled whenever they got the ball", "Francis ‘the machine' was not his usual self."

Central Midfield

"Stuart Gray played into our hands after Royston Drenthe's dismissal, the Owls playing three in midfield to our four. They struggled to contain us with four, getting a man sent off. We scored our two goals in four minutes by passing the ball through them when they tried to operate with three players."

Most Cherries see this area as their attacking platform, but they can also make themselves hard to beat. "We set up in a 4-4-2 with two banks of four at Boro. They were always within 10 to 15 yards of each other and camped within 10 yards of the box. Tomlin and Bamford were frustrated."

"Dan Gosling doesn't stop running." The 24-year-old ex-Newcastle United and Everton man "showed against West Brom why he was at two Premier League sides. Keep him fit and he will be a driving force for years to come", "He battles hard, tackles hard, plays the simple balls when needed and drives the game forward."

"Eunan O'Kane has had some immense games this season. The move to 4-4-2 and not his form has cost him his place." The 24-year-old former Torquay midfielder "has a brilliant game against West Brom, worked his socks off and finished brilliantly", "He is the best player to protect our back four."

"O'Kane makes a few wayward passes, but his interceptions, hard work, tackling and hassling of opponents are an important part of his game", "He beings energy and many of his Hollywood passes pick out their man and switch the play quickly", "It's good to see him driving forward when he can."

Harry Arter

"Harry Arter works tirelessly and puts in some crucial tackles." The 24-year-old former Woking player and one-time Town trialist "harries, snarls and never stops looking for the killer pass", "His Jack Russell displays are tenacious and workmanlike and he never gives up", "He directs and ticks over every move."

"Harry gave the ball away too much" when denied time and space against both Middlesbrough and Brighton. "He has this penchant for the clever pass which often goes to the opposition", "He runs his heart out and is even starting to control his temper a bit better", "He doesn't let his fuse blow."

Andrew Surman

"Surman is sleek, quick-footed and the metronome of the team", "It's a straight swap in Eddie's mind between Surman and O'Kane. They are very similar and understated workhorse type players, but Surman is just that bit more reliable", "His passing and reading of the game can be sublime."

The 28-year-old signed from Norwich on deadline day, having played with the Cherries on loan last season. "I wouldn't underestimate the benefit Surman has brought to the stability of the defence", "He spots which wingers seem to have a lot of space and switches play a lot."

His performance suffered more than most against Brighton. "Surman was finding blue shirts at will", "He was our worst player. His mistakes and lack of involvement nearly cost us dear", "His use of the ball was poor too often", "He will have realised the need to be more dominant in midfield."

Wide Midfield

"It is impossible to pigeon-hole any of our forwards or wingers as playing or sticking to certain positions as they drift inside and out to find the space and interchange. We are very fluid and that is the beauty of the plan", "We must be a nightmare to man-mark."

Former Aberdeen right-winger Ryan Fraser regularly appears as a substitute. The 20-year-old "is a really great option to have, particularly towards the end of games when defences are starting to tire. He freshens up the wing but I don't think he will ever be a strike partner for Wilson."

Howe has played him in front against Boro and Birmingham, but fans are unsure about this move. "Is Eddie trying to develop Fraser into a Sterling-type of player with pace and skill, who can play beside a striker?" "Is it just a tactical switch to capitalise on his pace or an experiment to switch his roles?"

"Junior Stanislas was tremendous against West Brom." The 24-year-old ex-Burnley left winger "was direct, quick and tricky on the ball. He drew defenders in for the first goal before releasing O'Kane", "Brighter defenders know that they simply have to put him on his weaker foot to cancel him out."

Marc Pugh

"I didn't think Pugh would play often once Stanislas signed, let alone start as many as he has." The 27-year-old former Hereford left winger "has been consistently excellent this season", "Has added accuracy and quick release to his armoury. This has enabled him to get into great scoring positions."

"So much of our attacking threat at Boro came through him. They didn't know how to handle him or his link up play with Charlie Daniels. It was almost like watching them back in League One again", "We are seeing more of his old trickery, with good twists and turns and confident use of the ball."

"Marc has always tended to drift inside and score goals from right-wing crosses. He never misses his chance to score and effectively becomes an extra striker when the ball is crossed from the other wing", "He scored a great hat-trick against Birmingham and was a constant thorn in their side."

Matt Ritchie

"Ritchie seems to have a lot more to him game now than when he first joined from Swindon." The 25-year-old right winger "has one of the highest number of assists in the Championship", "He has been class of late. He is so strong and has become a much better protector of Simon Francis."

"Matt had a poor game today [against Boro] and a lot of the attacking threat by Francis seemed to be nullified", "They were kept on the back foot by Boro's two left-footed players", "He is often substituted to give him a rest and the opposition full-backs something new to think about."

"Ritchie has a superb, hard, accurate shot that he should use as much as possible", "I love how he shoots on sight. His work-rate has increased immensely. He has contributed to our tight defence in the last couple of games", "He was energetic but struggled to stamp his authority against Brighton."

Strikers

"Our winning streak has been built very much on pressurising the opposition high up the field", "In this league, the best way to approach games is to attack", "I think that whoever partners Wilson is the key to our season and this will determine whether or not we can finish in the top six."

Two main themes emerge when discussing attacking options. The first is the team's ability to turn over possession high up the pitch by pressurising opposition defences, with the second being the importance of getting the right partner or platform to support leading striker Callum Wilson.

"Tokelo Rantie has added this hassling and tacking to his game. If he can win a ball off a defender 30 yards from goal, it will cause chaos given his pace and ability to cover that distance in no time at all". "'Never say die' was his mantra against West Brom. It was his best game for the club to date."

The 24-year-old South African international, an ex-Malmo striker "seemed to be chasing every ball in and out of possession and he wasn't daunted by the fact that some Baggies were twice his size", "His decision making and first touch are improving and there is nothing wrong with his speed and work-rate."

Brett Pitman

"Brett has earned the right to start at the moment. His confidence must be higher than it has been for more than 12 months right now." The 26-year-old "seems to work a lot harder than Yann in the hole and is better with the ball at his feet", "He has never been blessed with pace."

"Even though Pitman is not the quickest, he does a great job of pressurising the opposition defence", "He was isolated against Brighton and needed to drop deeper", "He hardly touched the ball but tried to make himself available all evening", "He didn't give up battling for the ball for our Charlton goal."

Cherries regularly discuss whether he or Yann Kermogant is the better strike partner for Callum Wilson. Pitman's work-rate, movement and ability on the floor are contrasted with Kermogant's strength and aerial ability. "Pitman makes things happen whether in his own or bringing players in."

Yann Kermogant

"I recall Charlton fans saying that Kermogant's form could be patchy even though he was their best player", "He seemed to be in no man's land against Middlesbrough, neither supporting Wilson nor quite dropping back to help the midfield out", "I'd be amazed if he keeps his spot for Ipswich."

The Breton "was misplacing pass after pass and spent the majority of time standing still marking localised pieces of grass while Boro passed the ball around in the first half", "Wilson was frustrated that he wasn't closing down other defenders, but he can't sustain that role at 32 years of age."

"Yann has not been the same player that changed everything last season, but he still plays his part", "When he is on form, he makes 4-4-2 work fantastically as we saw last season", "He's the best player we have to connect with the three zillion crosses we put in every game."

Callum Wilson

"Callum is possibly the most complete striker to wear the Cherries shirt since Jermain Defoe", "He's definitely a class above Grabban", "How good is the feeling, watching our ‘goal machine' bearing down on goal, beating the keeper and the ball nestling in the net?" "He is scoring for fun."

The 22-year-old summer signing from Coventry "is big and strong and comes alive in the final third. His running is direct and powerful", "His strength running are hard work for defenders", "Defenders struggle when he bursts into the box. Lewis Dunk slammed into him and gave us a penalty."

"He tried hard against Boro but was smothered by the home defence", "We tried to exploit his pace but he was being cleverly manhandled by their centre-back." Many Cherries feel that he needs a regular striker partner. "Wilson needs a solid partner if we are going to scrape over the line."

Cherries' Views on ITFC and the Game

"Drawing the Middlesbrough match will mean nothing if we lose to Ipswich after the break." Apart from some picking up on the discussion over here about some of our fans having had tickets bought for the home supporters' section withdrawn, there has been little specific match comment yet.

Their prediction league has 74% of Cherries going for a home win and 26% predicting a draw. The most popular respective scores are 2-1 and 1-1. Nobody yet has forecast an Ipswich win. I will update the message board on Saturday if there are any interesting match-day observations.

Websites

The busiest Cherries forum is the polite and well informed Up The Cherries.

Photo: Action Images

Steve_M added 11:27 - Nov 21 Notable comments about pace and fitness which, coupled with players with very good technical ability, makes this a hard match. We can match the fitness but we are slightly lacking pace at present. I'm looking forward to this one though: another properly competitive match at the right end of the table.
1

Superblue95 added 13:06 - Nov 21 Not a single Bournemouth fan has predicted us to win?!?! Hope our boys go out and smash em now
4

jpring89 added 13:28 - Nov 21 hopefully we can get something from this game toughest one yet without doubt. im going for 2-2 draw
1

Walk_the_Wark added 13:41 - Nov 21 Eddie Howewoud be a good fit or us!
-4

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:23 - Nov 21 Eddie Howe is a great young manager, walked out on Burnley to drop down a divison and go "home". Tough game tomorrow, i'd take a draw but I think we are more than capable of nicking all 3. Tiny little ground with fans close to the pitch which makes for I imagine (not having been) one hell of an atmosphere) Lets hope Micks boys are in the mood to shut the home crowd up. A win tomorrow could really give us the imptus to kick on and dominate the league, after Wolves and Watford doing the cherries would be a huge confisence boost and suddenly we really wouldnt fear anyone COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1

BuckieBlue added 14:33 - Nov 21 Thanks Harry for great report as ever. If Brighton can go there and sus them out and almost get a result, surely with MM/Tc's extra tactical ability we can get something? Be interesting to see how the Ryan Fraser, ex-Aberdeen guy, has developed- great ability when up here.
1

WindsorBlue added 14:48 - Nov 21 Good read! COYB I think we will get a result tomorrow. @walkthewark I think mick McCarthy is an exceptional fit for us. Eddie Howe is a good fit for Bournemouth, but wasn't quite as good at burnley. Consistency is key. MM has built a capable side able to compete consistently with no money. I have no doubt we will be above AFCB before the season in over
2

JimInGreensboro added 15:08 - Nov 21 Cheers, Harry! One of the highlights of my week is reading your wonderful work. I can't imagine our forwards riding higher then now, after their international experience. McGoldrick's assists were brilliant in the US match- a precisely-laid through ball and next a back-heel that caught everyone off-guard- so he'll be looking not only to create but find the net himself. I know it's redundant to mention it, but we had such a lively midfield with Jonny that I hope we can sustain with Bru or whomever. At least we'll have some more meat out there if AFC tries the mugging techniques, a la Watford. Still pissed Ekstrand got away with that criminal battery. Either Gerks' or Bart's ego is going to take some bruising, but Mick is a brilliant counselor as well as manager. I imagine either one on bench won't like, but will respect, the decision. Just glad Town footie is back! COYB!

1

Pendejo added 15:37 - Nov 21 If I owned Southampton & someone poached my manager.... I think I'd be taking a good look at Eddie Howe. Nice to see the comment regarding him & a World Cup SF, nice of them to think of donating their man for the country's cause. Whilst I hope we get a result I hope Bournemouth do well and can go up with us to Prem. COYB!
1

theblueginger added 15:44 - Nov 21 Reading this reminds me of why i wouldn't mind Bournmouth finishing second behind us in May. Eddie Howe is another quality young manager as well. As for the game, i am going for a competitive 1-1 akin to last season.
1

ArnieM added 18:44 - Nov 21 If we get a draw there tomorrow that will be a hell of a result IMO.
1

Thijssenstricks added 01:06 - Nov 22 I was at this game last season. if anyone parks their car outside the stadium have patience getting out ! I couldn't believe how long it took as it is such a small ground. I would be happy with a point. Good team with a good manager.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls