AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be bidding to maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship when they host fellow high-fliers Bristol City on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).
Jason Tindall’s team extended their run to seven games with a 1-1 draw at Watford on Saturday, while the Robins arrive at Vitality Stadium with four wins and two draws under their belt.
City made a flying start to the season, winning six of their first seven games in all competitions, losing only to Aston Villa in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Victories over Coventry (2-1), Stoke (2-0), Sheffield Wednesday (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (2-1) saw them top the Championship after four games.
But Cauley Woodrow’s penalty for Barnsley, deep into added time, ended their winning start in the league as the Tykes forced a 2-2 draw at Oakwell earlier this month.
George Saville’s second-half goal for Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate six days ago saw the Robins fail to pick up any points for the first time this season before Nahki Wells’s late penalty earned them a 1-1 home draw with Swansea on Saturday.
Currently second, Dean Holden’s team are one point and two places above the Cherries ahead of the first league meeting between the clubs since 2006.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Gregor MacGregor who covers the fortunes of Bristol City for the Bristol Post.
BRISTOL CITY IN PROFILE
Head coach: Dean Holden (appointed August 2020)
Club captain: Tomas Kalas
Last game: Bristol City 1-1 Swansea City (Championship)
Leading goalscorer 2020/21: Nahki Wells (pictured below) and Jamie Paterson (three in all competitions)
League position: Second
Past six league results: WWWDLD
afcb.co.uk: Summarise City’s start to the season?
GM: It’s been promising. Bristol City have collected a good points haul so far and have only lost one game.
However, supporters fear that things are beginning to wane after two poor performances in a row and no wins for three games.
It appears that the bubble may have burst. However, saying that, Bristol City have shown some signs that they are a better side than last season’s that finished 12th in the Championship.
afcb.co.uk: How have things changed under new head coach Dean Holden?
GM: The new head coach has made it clear that he wants a settled side and playing system.
The Robins have used 3-5-2 under him for every game so far, with a few alterations depending on what happens later in games.
There has been some turnaround in players but the squad also seems more balanced, settled and happier playing under Holden than earlier in the year under Lee Johnson, where some players were not favoured without any real reason.
afcb.co.uk: What did you make of City’s transfer business?
GM: I think it’s been good. They addressed several areas of the squad that needed strengthening and upgrading and the club has done that while turning in a profit in the transfer market, with some outgoing sales balancing things up.
Two free signings, two loans and just one transfer fee paid out for Joe Williams and all the new recruits have promotion experience or good Championship experience. Chris Martin (pictured above) in particular has been an excellent pick-up.
However, there is still work to do to build a side capable of promotion – a little more strength in defence is widely recognised as being required if the Robins are to go up this season.
afcb.co.uk: Who has been City’s most consistent performer so far this season?
GM: That would be Martin who, while not scoring in the league yet, has created the most goals in the Championship to date.
He has four assists and really should have had another but for a slight touch off a defender taking the statistic away from him.
But his set-up play has been superb and he helps bring other players to the fore.
Wells has been a major beneficiary but others too have collected his knockdowns in dangerous areas. A lot of City's best moves flow through him.
afcb.co.uk: Who is City’s dangerman?
GM: Martin is one, as per above, but goals-wise then Wells, who has three in six starts so far in this Championship campaign.
The former QPR man tends to get a few glimpses of goal every game and his strike-rate is consistent.
afcb.co.uk: Tyreeq Bakinson scored his first goal for the club at Barnsley – tell us a little about him?
GM: The rangy central midfielder has been City’s breakthrough star of this season.
He’s 6ft 3ins tall so can put that physical advantage to good use in the middle of the pitch where Holden employs him as a holding midfielder sat just in front of the back three.
Bakinson’s chief skill is his passing. He’s probably the Robins' best mid-to-long range passer of the ball, although he can also keep the ball in tight areas and dribble forward, aided by that long stride.
He has a goal in him too, as shown at Oakwell – and he almost netted a winner in the first game of the season against Coventry City from range too.
afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
GM: Bristol City have some major injury problems currently. It’s a good time to play them.
Nathan Baker and Alfie Mawson remain out at the back, while Steven Sessegnon and Andi Weimann left the match at the weekend due to injury, the former stretchered off.
Liam Walsh and Joe Williams are two long-term absentees. None are expected back for Wednesday.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
GM: Because of the above, I’m pessimistic about City’s chances so I’ll go 2-0 to the home side.
You can follow Gregor on Twitter – @GeeMacGee
Officials: Stephen Martin (referee), Adrian Waters (assistant), Mark Pottage (assistant), Gavin Ward (fourth official).
