Match Day Bournemouth v Chelsea, Saturday 8th April 17:30

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

We played Chelsea at home this time last season, when even after a tough season they came and blew us away, Hazard showing that he was still quality after all. Now under Conte they've been top of the league since day 1 seemingly, they reportedly have a full squad to pick from with Costa and Moses returning, and they'll be wanting to show that the Palace result was an aberration.

So it's going to be tough. But we'll likely approach it differently to most. Whereas most sides go 4-5-1 up against Chelsea's 3 at the back, that's just not how we roll. We'll likely go 4-4-2, Afobe and King up front, accept that we'll be over-run in the middle at times but try having a go at the 3 centre backs. Wilshere will probably start because Surman is injured. It'll be up to Arter to do the donkey work in there. We're unbeaten in 5 now and have taken some useful strides towards comfort, hopefully we can give Chelsea at least something to worry about.

Chances are high that it'll result in a comfortable Chelsea win in the end, but there's no point doing what everyone else does and losing all the same.

It'll be sad to see Ake in a Chelsea training top sat on the bench or even in the stand

 

[PDS]

Our unbeaten run will almost certainly come to an end today. Just hoping to see us give them a proper game, which we're more than capable of at home. Let's make them dig in and work for it.

With the form he's in we have to get King running in behind Cahill/Luiz today, use that pace and be less worried about passing our way through them

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Really pleased first half, thought we were very unlucky to go in behind. Between the superb save Curtiois made point blank from Luiz's own fuck up in the first minute, to Afobe's post antics, and the fortune behind Chelsea opening goal (should go down as an OG). All seemed to contrive in their favour when just a little luck would have us going in level.

At times we forced chelsea into being the counter attacking reactive side whilst we played on the front foot, was great to see.

Second half however was almost all Chelsea, we tired and lost the intensity, Chelsea obtained a measure of control and rarely looked troubled. The killer 3rd was a nice free kick, although we should have stopped that attack way sooner when Pugh missed a tackle.

A few ifs and buts, but I'm pleased with the showing. Can't fault the effort, and the first half football was lovely.

3 big games in a week is too much for us to maintain the levels required to compete with the best.

Chelsea will be deserved title winners I'm sure.