Cherries: No papering over the cracks this time

TOUGH TO WATCH: Harry Redknapp watches the match on Saturday TOUGH TO WATCH: Harry Redknapp watches the match on Saturday

AT LEAST the lyrics on the broken record were different.

During what has been a far from harmonious start to his reign as permanent manager, Paul Groves, on more than one occasion, has been left to bemoan his team’s misfortune in front of goal.

Groves, however, admirably resisted the temptation to paper over the cracks of this uninspiring showing, Cherries ’ first home defeat since early March.

“It was one of our poorest performances, certainly at home, in terms of our ability to pass the ball and to carve out openings,” he said. “There was a desperation about the performance and that had not been the case in our previous games.

“In terms of the performances that we had had prior to this game, they have been up there but we haven’t converted the chances. Today, and it looks for a different reason, we didn’t play well. There is no getting away from it.”

Most of the travelling supporters who had witnessed the debacle at Swindon would argue that this showing was a slight improvement, even if the bar had been at its lowest at the County Ground .

Fortified by Frank Demouge and Lorenzo Davids, two players with experience in the Dutch top flight, and ex-England goalkeeper David James, Cherries followers had every right to expect better.

However, and against a subdued and apathetic backdrop, Groves’s men again failed to deliver as one of the worst starts to a season in the club’s history continued.

While the paucity of Cherries’ impoverished display left Groves scratching his head, the comments of opposite number Dean Smith would have rubbed salt into his already gaping wounds.

“We felt comfortable,” purred Smith, after the high-flying Saddlers had headed back to the Midlands with all three points for the second season in succession.

“We scored a really good goal and controlled the game for long periods. Even when they had the ball, you look at how long it was taking David James with his goal kicks, trying to play out. We didn’t allow them to play between our lines and were organised, both in and out of possession.”

The “really good goal” referred to by Smith was another defensive calamity from Cherries and came four minutes before the end of what had been a fairly uneventful opening period.

Having failed to deal with Andy Taylor’s initial free-kick, Cherries looked on ponderously as Ben Purkiss teed up James Baxendale on the right flank.

The midfielder then had the choice of picking out any one of three unmarked team-mates who had been queueing up to score after arriving in the penalty area.

His pinpoint delivery found Andy Butler, who nonchalantly headed home unopposed to give an exposed James no chance whatsoever.

The sum total of Cherries’ first-half efforts were a deflected shot from Josh McQuoid which was saved by Walsall goalkeeper Karl Darlow and a Eunan O’Kane strike that drifted past the upright.

Cherries started the second half with greater purpose and O’Kane was denied a leveller when Nottingham Forest loan star Darlow got down smartly to save his effort at his near post.

If trailing at the break had not been bad enough, Cherries then had to stomach humiliating cheers from Walsall supporters as the Saddlers indulged in a spell of keep-ball.

There was little to raise the spirits among the Goldsands Stadium faithful and, as frustration and boredom took over, a section of home fans began calling for the head of Groves.

Cherries offered precious little in the way of attacking threat and could have found themselves facing a two-goal deficit had Flo Cuvelier and Will Grigg not been errant with two presentable chances.

The visitors, whose display had been full of energy, looked set to pay when Cherries restored parity through Charlie Daniels eight minutes from time.

Left-back Daniels slotted the ball under the advancing Darlow after substitute Wes Fogden had picked him out with a clever pass.

Cherries’ appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears after Fogden had appeared to be baulked by |Butler before Saddlers substitute Fabian Brandy almost scored with his first touch, Steve Cook clearing off the line following a corner.

There was, however, no reprieve for Cherries when the visitors forced another corner in the 89th minute, with George Bowerman fastening on to Butler’s header and finishing with accuracy past James.

After Fogden had twice gone close to salvaging an ill-deserved draw for Cherries in stoppage time, abuse towards Groves poured from the stands at the final whistle.

Comments(13)

Palantir says...
7:58pm Sun 30 Sep 12

I was at the match and appalled at the performance. At least Eddie Mitchell had the decency to come out and talk to the fans who were protesting after the match - shame that not everyone would give him their full attention and listen to what he had to say.

In any case, Groves needs to go and fast. I know the coach to Carlisle isn't usually full but this season, if he's still in charge we'll need a minibus.

mattblackthehat says...
8:14pm Sun 30 Sep 12

Right then. In tonight's platitude bingo my money's on:

5+ uses of 'Rose tinted specs'
10+ uses of you disagree with me so "'no doubt you are one of the Mitchell cronies / family"
50+ uses of "dumb and dumber"
100+ uses of "7 LIQUIDATIONS!!!"

I'm off now to sort out my burning torch and pitchfork stall for the Market. The good people of Bournemouth are gonna have themselves a lynching!

Although it is a school night so business might be slow.

West moors 1 says...
8:15pm Sun 30 Sep 12

We have a manager with the lowest win record in the league, what do you expect? Fans are leaving in their droves, it's serious. We have some decent players and need a leader who can sort the mess out before it's too late and before the money runs dry!

boyerboy says...
8:44pm Sun 30 Sep 12

We have quality players.
A team that are not united
Fisty cuffs in the changing room..
Some players do not get on
we buy/ gain players on the strength of videos/dvd`s/recomme
ndations etc
we have a huge wage bill
A very poor home record
a manager with an appalling success record
Diminshing gates
And the supporters are not expected to be unhappy ?????

Alumchiner says...
9:11pm Sun 30 Sep 12

Not going any more till it all changes and EM is gone and HR is in charge...........
We were better off and had more togetherness when bottom of the league. At least the fans were n the club's side. At the moment the people running the club are the fans worst enemies......and their own if they were honest

snake hips says...
10:06pm Sun 30 Sep 12

mattblackthehat wrote:
Right then. In tonight's platitude bingo my money's on:

5+ uses of 'Rose tinted specs'
10+ uses of you disagree with me so "'no doubt you are one of the Mitchell cronies / family"
50+ uses of "dumb and dumber"
100+ uses of "7 LIQUIDATIONS!!!"

I'm off now to sort out my burning torch and pitchfork stall for the Market. The good people of Bournemouth are gonna have themselves a lynching!

Although it is a school night so business might be slow.
Dumb n dumber out.

afcb-mark says...
10:58pm Sun 30 Sep 12

Palantir wrote:
I was at the match and appalled at the performance. At least Eddie Mitchell had the decency to come out and talk to the fans who were protesting after the match - shame that not everyone would give him their full attention and listen to what he had to say.

In any case, Groves needs to go and fast. I know the coach to Carlisle isn't usually full but this season, if he's still in charge we'll need a minibus.
The fans didn't want to hear to a load of excuses the wanted to hear Groves and Brooks had been instantly dismissed, but no. Eddie starts saying, we can't keep changing it. This isn't going to stop then Eddie. The balls in your court now or sub 4000 gates for the next home game.

Who was that idiot on the youtube video who kept on saying 'we love you Eddie' What a creep.

The Renegade Master says...
11:48pm Sun 30 Sep 12

Monday's breaking news must be that Groves & Brooks have either resigned or been sacked. I don't care which as long as the two clowns are gone.
I also want to read that Mitchell has correctly and not a minute too soon stepped down or been forced to resign as chairman of OUR club for yet another disgusting foul mouthed address to fans after the game. He is simply not fit to be a football league chairman and is a complete embarrassment to AFC Bournemouth.
Maxim Demin is the only man who can end this fiasco by getting rid of the Mitchells and then appointing a proper proven manager to sort this mess out. Harry Redknapp has to be the first choice.
The reputation of our club will continue to be in tatters as long as Mitchell remains here. He MUST go or be forced out right NOW! The fans have had enough.

afcb-millar says...
12:05am Mon 1 Oct 12

Palantir wrote:
I was at the match and appalled at the performance. At least Eddie Mitchell had the decency to come out and talk to the fans who were protesting after the match - shame that not everyone would give him their full attention and listen to what he had to say.

In any case, Groves needs to go and fast. I know the coach to Carlisle isn't usually full but this season, if he's still in charge we'll need a minibus.
at the protest we had, yes EM was prepared to talk in an adult manar but alot of 'drunk' fans didnt want to listen to him! i spoke to him with my mates when everyone left and we had a great chat, we asked him a few questions, and he said we have been playing **** recently and its for the team to understand that and to preform on the pitch otherwise we are going to hardly get 4k at the gates!

ASM says...
2:49am Mon 1 Oct 12

afcb-mark wrote:
Palantir wrote:
I was at the match and appalled at the performance. At least Eddie Mitchell had the decency to come out and talk to the fans who were protesting after the match - shame that not everyone would give him their full attention and listen to what he had to say.

In any case, Groves needs to go and fast. I know the coach to Carlisle isn't usually full but this season, if he's still in charge we'll need a minibus.
The fans didn't want to hear to a load of excuses the wanted to hear Groves and Brooks had been instantly dismissed, but no. Eddie starts saying, we can't keep changing it. This isn't going to stop then Eddie. The balls in your court now or sub 4000 gates for the next home game.

Who was that idiot on the youtube video who kept on saying 'we love you Eddie' What a creep.
probably groves was the creep.
Groves will be sacked if we don't get at least 5 points from the next 3 league games, which we won't.
Lets hope Eddie sells his shares to denim. I think eddie done himself proud to an extent on saturday, but he is too passionate and too stubborn, what makes him so lousy as a chairman is he abuses his power and he doesn't have the foggiest about football. I hope he gives denim the majority share holding or redknapp takes over (that would be perfect).
Mitchell is not going to sack his son, he is a proud family man, he puts his family before anything (admirably), hence them running the club.
So little Tommy boy, get a grip on reality and realize that there is more to managing a football club than what you see on your play station. Do the honorable thing and step down so your family can be part of the success we might have at AFCB

goatty says...
6:52am Mon 1 Oct 12

ASM wrote:
afcb-mark wrote:
Palantir wrote:
I was at the match and appalled at the performance. At least Eddie Mitchell had the decency to come out and talk to the fans who were protesting after the match - shame that not everyone would give him their full attention and listen to what he had to say.

In any case, Groves needs to go and fast. I know the coach to Carlisle isn't usually full but this season, if he's still in charge we'll need a minibus.
The fans didn't want to hear to a load of excuses the wanted to hear Groves and Brooks had been instantly dismissed, but no. Eddie starts saying, we can't keep changing it. This isn't going to stop then Eddie. The balls in your court now or sub 4000 gates for the next home game.

Who was that idiot on the youtube video who kept on saying 'we love you Eddie' What a creep.
probably groves was the creep.
Groves will be sacked if we don't get at least 5 points from the next 3 league games, which we won't.
Lets hope Eddie sells his shares to denim. I think eddie done himself proud to an extent on saturday, but he is too passionate and too stubborn, what makes him so lousy as a chairman is he abuses his power and he doesn't have the foggiest about football. I hope he gives denim the majority share holding or redknapp takes over (that would be perfect).
Mitchell is not going to sack his son, he is a proud family man, he puts his family before anything (admirably), hence them running the club.
So little Tommy boy, get a grip on reality and realize that there is more to managing a football club than what you see on your play station. Do the honorable thing and step down so your family can be part of the success we might have at AFCB
So Mitchell puts his family before anything??
From what I am told he has 2 kids and a step son who he has nothing to do with and keeps them well hidden as they would not do as he ordered them and another son who sees a shrink every week due to this so called family man!
Mitchell ain't no family man. He is an arrogant bully with no class. The most hated man in Dorset

mattblackthehat says...
9:14am Mon 1 Oct 12

snake hips wrote:
mattblackthehat wrote:
Right then. In tonight's platitude bingo my money's on:

5+ uses of 'Rose tinted specs'
10+ uses of you disagree with me so "'no doubt you are one of the Mitchell cronies / family"
50+ uses of "dumb and dumber"
100+ uses of "7 LIQUIDATIONS!!!"

I'm off now to sort out my burning torch and pitchfork stall for the Market. The good people of Bournemouth are gonna have themselves a lynching!

Although it is a school night so business might be slow.
Dumb n dumber out.
Hooray!

AFCBENJI says...
11:11am Mon 1 Oct 12

boyerboy wrote:
We have quality players.
A team that are not united
Fisty cuffs in the changing room..
Some players do not get on
we buy/ gain players on the strength of videos/dvd`s/recomme

ndations etc
we have a huge wage bill
A very poor home record
a manager with an appalling success record
Diminshing gates
And the supporters are not expected to be unhappy ?????
100% right my friend!

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