Ahead of Saturday's match, we caught up with Unnoficial AFC Bournemouth blog Tales From The South End, to find out a little more about the opposition and how they might line up against the Reds.
Next up, AFC Bournemouth make the long trek from the south coast to Oakwell having only tasted defeat in just three of their last eight league outings on the road. Ahead of Saturday's match, we caught up with Unnoficial AFC Bournemouth blog Tales From The South End, to find out a little more about the opposition and how they might line up against the Reds.
What were/are your expectations for 2013-14?
Before the season started it was dreams of sneaking into the Premiership via the play-offs. We still harbour those ambitions, but after 36 games we have a more realistic view of where we are going to finish. We have been running a poll on the website all season and the popular vote has been unsurprisingly mid-table. And, if we are honest, that's pretty much what we expected, we just wanted more.
What's been your favourite match this season?
Everyone likes goals and comebacks and the game against Millwall at home, was about as exciting as it has been this season. They were 2-0 up within 10 minutes and things were not looking too good. But a goal before half-time got us back in the game and an absolute 15-minute purple patch early in the second half blew the Lions away. Lewis Grabban running past the Millwall fans after scoring got them a little excited and added a little extra spice to the occasion.
Eddie Howe has worked wonders at Dean Court in the last 18 months, what is the secret to this success?
According to the players he is a very good man manager. He knows how to get the best out of any team that he has at his disposal. I would say he is a great tactician, but some of his decisions have been questionable. He has a certain style of play he wants to adopt and endeavours to use this all all times, sometimes successfully, sometimes not so successful. The fact that he had money to spend does help, but he has invested in good players.
AFC Bournemouth have clearly benefitted from the influx of investment by Max Demin. What's the bigger plan for the club and do supporters feel comfortable with your often private benefactor?
There is no doubt that AFC Bournemouth has clearly benefitted from Mr Demin’s influx of cash. Without it there is no way we would have been able to spend £2m on Tokelo Rantie and early on £800,000 on Matt Tubbs. Mr Demin wants to see AFC Bournemouth in the Premiership and he is prepared to invest in the right players to get us there. What we like about Mr Denim is his less than public face. He is an elusive character and stays out of the limelight, unlike our previous chairman Mr Eddie Mitchell.
How will AFC Bournemouth approach the game at Barnsley?
If all goes according to plan, we will play with one up top, Lewis Grabban, and have two wingers looking to provide support. We will press the Barnsley players, hopefully forcing then into mistakes and breaking quickly into the box. It will be the classic away formation, 4-5-1, probably.
Who are the key players to watch out for?
Lewis Grabban is an obvious candidate as he scores goals and is due one in the Barnsley game. But, its the midfield and wingers where we are dangerous. Eunan O'Kane is a player who dictates the play and Ryan Fraser is a nippy winger who likes to get in the box. He has a low centre of gravity and is good at drawing fouls and winning free-kicks.
What's your score prediction?
We don’t see it be a high-scoring match. We have played a lot of games already this month and the team is starting to look tired, especially in the last couple of performances. It will be 1-0 to one of the teams, hopefully the Cherries of course.
What were/are your expectations for 2013-14?
Before the season started it was dreams of sneaking into the Premiership via the play-offs. We still harbour those ambitions, but after 36 games we have a more realistic view of where we are going to finish. We have been running a poll on the website all season and the popular vote has been unsurprisingly mid-table. And, if we are honest, that's pretty much what we expected, we just wanted more.
What's been your favourite match this season?
Everyone likes goals and comebacks and the game against Millwall at home, was about as exciting as it has been this season. They were 2-0 up within 10 minutes and things were not looking too good. But a goal before half-time got us back in the game and an absolute 15-minute purple patch early in the second half blew the Lions away. Lewis Grabban running past the Millwall fans after scoring got them a little excited and added a little extra spice to the occasion.
Eddie Howe has worked wonders at Dean Court in the last 18 months, what is the secret to this success?
According to the players he is a very good man manager. He knows how to get the best out of any team that he has at his disposal. I would say he is a great tactician, but some of his decisions have been questionable. He has a certain style of play he wants to adopt and endeavours to use this all all times, sometimes successfully, sometimes not so successful. The fact that he had money to spend does help, but he has invested in good players.
AFC Bournemouth have clearly benefitted from the influx of investment by Max Demin. What's the bigger plan for the club and do supporters feel comfortable with your often private benefactor?
There is no doubt that AFC Bournemouth has clearly benefitted from Mr Demin’s influx of cash. Without it there is no way we would have been able to spend £2m on Tokelo Rantie and early on £800,000 on Matt Tubbs. Mr Demin wants to see AFC Bournemouth in the Premiership and he is prepared to invest in the right players to get us there. What we like about Mr Denim is his less than public face. He is an elusive character and stays out of the limelight, unlike our previous chairman Mr Eddie Mitchell.
How will AFC Bournemouth approach the game at Barnsley?
If all goes according to plan, we will play with one up top, Lewis Grabban, and have two wingers looking to provide support. We will press the Barnsley players, hopefully forcing then into mistakes and breaking quickly into the box. It will be the classic away formation, 4-5-1, probably.
Who are the key players to watch out for?
Lewis Grabban is an obvious candidate as he scores goals and is due one in the Barnsley game. But, its the midfield and wingers where we are dangerous. Eunan O'Kane is a player who dictates the play and Ryan Fraser is a nippy winger who likes to get in the box. He has a low centre of gravity and is good at drawing fouls and winning free-kicks.
What's your score prediction?
We don’t see it be a high-scoring match. We have played a lot of games already this month and the team is starting to look tired, especially in the last couple of performances. It will be 1-0 to one of the teams, hopefully the Cherries of course.
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