AFC Bournemouth - a look ahead

Last updated : 10 October 2003 By Richard Brown

Form (last six): D-D-L-W-W-W

2002/03 Finish: League; Third Division; Fourth [play-off winners]

FA Cup: Fourth Round

League Cup: First Round

2002/03 Top Scorer: James Hayter - 13

2002/03 Discipline: 60 yellow, 3 red

2003/04 Top Scorer: Steve Fletcher, Warren Feeney - 3


After the Cherries bounced back to the Second Division on the first time of asking following Bournemouth’s triumphant play-off campaign which saw them see of Bury [semi-final] and Lincoln City [final] in 3-1 [aggregate] and 5-2 victories, respectively.


With better pitches, pies, stadiums, attendances and play [apparently] in the Second Division it seems as though AFC Bournemouth have adjusted accordingly to life in Division Two as they currently find themselves in a comfortable mid-table position, with perhaps their most also claiming the scalps of league hot shots – Sheffield Wednesday.


With the days of Jermaine Defoe and Rio Ferdinand long gone, it seems very much so that it is the new breed down at the Fitness First Stadium who have been given the task of carrying the
Dorset side back into the 7th place of which they finished just 3 seasons prior to the current campaign.


'Wing Wonder'? We'll see.
Perhaps the most recent entry to the Bournemouth first-team line-up was midfielder, Wade Elliot. The Cherrie’s number 11 and former England Schoolboy International has been linked with the Forest this season, and has rose like a salmon to supremacy amongst the Bournemouth ranks with the up-most speed has given a host of tremendous performances during his time at the club as he gained the Player of the Year award during his first season in professional football since his signing from Bashley back in February 2000.


Wade has proven his creative flair in whichever league he featured as he continues to be a devastating factor for opponents as he creates chances from nothing for opponents whilst at the same time almost scoring freely at times.

Wade, nicknamed the ‘wing wizard’ for his performances on the flanks has shown a glimpse of his potential as the level headed continues his development – confirming that progress is not a slow process.


***Star Player*** -
Carl Fletcher


Carl Feletcher
One the club’s former-YTS youngsters and now the club’s, Carl Fletcher has, at the tender age of 23, already made a massive 175 appearances scoring a total of 16 goals for the Cherries – including a double-brace at the Millennium Stadium against Lincoln City in last year’s play-off triumph.

After earning the respect of players of fans alike following a highly successful 1999/2000 season it was only a matter of time before Fletcher became a current feature in Bournemouth’s long-term plans as he signed a new three-year deal in the very instance of the appointment of manager, Shaun Driscoll during the 2000/01 campaign.


The combative midfielder who is can also feature at the heart of the back-four at the Fitness First Stadium and with his commitment levels on an all-time high; it stands to reason as to why young Carl Fletcher is the Cherrie’s skipper.

***Odds Checker*** - courtesy of William Hill [www.willhill.com]


Notts County –
13/8

Draw – 21/10

AFC Bournemouth – 11/8