Cherries Chat | AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth are looking down on the rest of League Two after an excellent
3-1 win over Lincoln.
Cherries fans have the rare experience of seeing their side at the summit of their league after another top team performance guided them to three more home points.
Eddie Howe’s men were 2-0 up within 20 minutes as Brett Pitman and Sammy Igoe set the Dorset side on their way.
The first was a classic Steve Fletcher-Pitman combination as Big Fletch nodded a deep cross from Lee Bradbury into the path of Pitman, who struck a David Platt-esque volley on the swivel into the back of the net.
Igoe then squeezed a volley home after the visitors failed to deal with a Liam Feeney long throw.
The Imps continued to try and play football and were deservedly back in the game when diminutive striker Chris Fagan turned and fired a fine shot past Shwan Jalal.
The second half was in the balance when Howe hauled off the strangely ineffective Mark Molesley and introduced buccaneering midfielder Marvin Bartley.
The effect was almost immediate as Bartley went marauding down the left and slipped the ball to Feeney, who crossed for Igoe to smash in the fourth volleyed goal of the game.
It was plain sailing for the Cherries after that, despite a late scare when Aaron Brown’s free kick struck the bar, and they were well worth the win.
While Pitman and Igoe may take the plaudits for their goals, this was another all-round team performances and those who perform the less glamorous side of the game deserve just as much praise.
If you look carefully at any successful side there is normally someone who goes almost unnoticed by opposition, and even at times their own, fans as they carry out the dirty work for their teammates.
Anton Robinson has taken to the water carrier role with consummate ease since his move along the south coast from Weymouth in January and has quietly become one of the most important men in Eddie Howe’s team.
His selfless harassing of the opposition and tenacious tackling make him a great asset in the middle of the park and, in a squad of such limited resources, he is always willing to fill in at full back or elsewhere.
Against Lincoln his energy was again key as he won the bulk of the 50-50 balls and never allowed the Imps midfield to settle.
Just as Claude Makelele was described as the watch to Claudio Ranieri’s battery, Robinson may not be the kind of player to draw in the crowds but he is a key component of Howe’s side.
Player ratings
Shwan Jalal – Still appears to be struggling with an injury but battled through it and solid throughout. 6.
Warren Cummings – A fine outing for ‘Wally’, ferocious in the tackle and bags of energy down the left flank. 8.
Lee Bradbury – Looked a bit like a rabbit in headlights when Lincoln midfielders ran at him but kept his head. 5.
Jason Pearce – Another fearless display as he threw himself wholeheartedly into every challenge. 7.
Ryan Garry – Solid at the back and rarely looked troubled. 6.
Sammy Igoe – Took his goals well in a slick display. 7.
Mark Molesley – Oddly subdued before he was taken off early in the second half. 5.
Anton Robinson – Tireless in the Cherries midfield as he won ball and kept it simple. 8.
Liam Feeney – You don’t get many dazzling wingers who can also hurl in a 30-yard long throw in. 7.
Brett Pitman – A livewire up front, scored one and always a threat. One of the best in the division when he’s in this mood. 8.
Steve Fletcher – Great assist for Pitman’s opener and excellent all-round link up play. 7.
Subs
Marvin Bartley (on for Molesley) – Added pace and power as well as actually using the ball well. 7.
Danny Hollands (on for Feeney) – Could have scored almost immediately after his introduction. 6.
Josh McQuoid (on for Igoe) – Another stoppage time run out for the youngster. 5.
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