The Cherries on top: Episode 33
The home stretch is upon us and first up is the League Cup final. Having been knocked out by United in the 3rd round, they go on to win it. Chelsea losing in the final for the second consecutive season.
Hadzi picks up the player of the month for March and I pick manager of the month for the 4th month in a row. First up this month is Rotherham. We registered a huge win in the reverse fixture and their fortunes haven’t gotten any better, sitting 21st and only have 1 win in their last 5.
As we only played Wednesday we make a few changes. Skalidis is in need of a rest and with Leo still out, Forssell comes in up front and Svensson comes in for Moukoko.
It’s a competitive first half. Forssell with the main threat in front of goal in the opening third of the game, we do take one of our chances and it falls to Hadzi. He scores his 50th goal for Bournemouth to put us ahead, it’s also our 100 goal in the league as well. Rotherham have some good spells of play, but there limited attempts are not on target.
Man of the match Svensson fails to finish the game. He will miss the next 3 weeks with a knee ligament injury. Shortly after his substitution, Rotherham register their only effort on target through Darren Eastwood. Ross thwarts Forssell time and again second half as the home side push forward looking to snatch a point, but Voulgaris is able to deal with it. Not quite the score line it was last time, but three points is three points.
We have a full week of training and thankfully there are no new injury or fitness concerns to deal with as we host 4th place Sheffield United. It was a thrilling 3–3 draw at Bramwell Lane, with Ravneng nabbing a point from the spot earlier in the season.
Jamie Victory is away on international duty with Gambia so Jeff Whitley is brought in out of position to cover. This proves to be a decent decision as he crosses for Skalidis to score his 25th goal of the season! He gets on the scoresheet again towards the end of the first half, to cancel out John Miles’ equaliser.
We are on top second half, despite the tight score line there isn’t much impetus from the visitors and Skalidis goes close to his hat-trick on several occasions. His prayers are answered. Sheffield United keeper Alan Kelly brings Mark Kerr down in the area and concedes the penalty receiving a red card in the process.
Skalidis steps us and completes his hat-trick, a triple substitution is enforced to give some players a rest and Boyle-Renner drives through to add the 4th in added time. The hat-trick for Skalidis now makes him the clubs top scorer according to the game with 64 goals in 79 games!
Oddly our next fixture is scheduled on the Friday, given that we have Forest just 3 days later seems more sensible I guess. Crewe are currently 20th and look to have avoided relegation after coming up via the playoffs – so well done Dario Gradi
They are on a good run too with no defeats in their last 4 with 2 wins. We beat them earlier in the season and hope to repeat it, although we couldn’t manage it last season playing out a 1–1 draw at Gresty Road.
The game is very open from the outset. Unfortunately it’s mainly wayward finishing from both sides, with only a third of shots on target. Crewe take the lead through Charlie Saunders heading home a David Wright cross. Their lead is short-lived as Skalidis levels up the game. Huckerby almost puts us ahead but after looking like he couldn’t miss, he sends his effort over the bar.
The second half is all about missed opportunities from both sides. Crewe come the closest to getting the winner as they hit the bar in injury time, but last seasons result is replicated as the teams share the points.
With Scally firmly cementing his place in defensive midfield and Pestrin a fine back up, it’s time to cash in on Pollock. Wigan and Bradford have been interested so after transfer listing him, both teams bid £1 million. It’s acceptable as that is just pure profit and will help swell the coffers for the summer.
Having played the Friday, we now face Forest at the home on the Monday night. They are currently 15th and in the reverse fixture, we need a 90th minute equaliser from Barsom to a take a point from The City Ground.
Fatigue means that we have to make changes due to tight turnaround as Lara is given a run out in his old midfield spot on the right hand side. Leo is back and partners Forssell up front.
Even though we have rotated a little we have no trouble getting past Forest with 3 goals in the first 30 minutes. Kerr heads in a set piece and then Boyle-Renner and Leo are both on the score sheet 10 minutes apart.
We are less aggressive second half, unfortunately we lose Duff to a knee ligament injury which effectively ends his season. Eoin Jess scores Forest’s only shot on target to pull one back with 20 minutes left but we see out the game with little problem.
The win crowns us league champions.
The fans are delighted and herald me as the best manager the club has ever seen!
Having accepted the bids, Pollock rejects both contract offers. He’s not happy and apparently angry about not being able to move clubs. I mean, its not my fault Jamie, is it?
As Hadzi bruises his thigh in training and the league wrapped up, we can now give some of the fringe players a run out. Victory, weirdly is on international duty again so Whitley comes in again. The Duff injury means that Andrelios comes in at centre back and Pestrin is given his first start.
We have Preston at the weekend, they have been relegated and are currently bottom, on a 4 game losing streak. They score with their first meaningful attack, Skalidis is then able to level the game up a few minutes later as we look to put the pressure on. Unfortunately, Voulgaris has other ideas. The next 2 attempts on goal go straight in and the home side take a shock 3–1 lead at half time.
We show character and score early in the second half, a double substitution removing the under performing duo makes no impact. We seem to have used up all of our ideas, despite 10 shots on target we don’t make them count and lose our first league game since February.
Even though the season is effectively over there is no need to be sloppy and Voulgaris is still disciplined. Preston had 4 shots all game and he let 75% of them in, given that we are promoted that is likely to be his last game for a fair while.
With 2 games left there is one playoff spot available. Burnley in 11th still have a mathematical chance of making it despite losing 20 games! Mind you, Millwall and Leicester haven’t fared much better.
Episode 34 coming next week
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