AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face Championship rivals Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).
A resilient display from QPR prevented the Cherries from bringing up a hat-trick of victories as the teams battled out a hard-fought 0-0 draw on Saturday.
Cardiff registered their second win of the new campaign when Liverpool loan star Sheyi Ojo bagged the only goal to secure a 1-0 triumph at Preston yesterday.
It hoisted the Bluebirds up to 12th place in the table, Neil Harriss’s team having also won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest and drawn 0-0 at Blackburn.
Cardiff will be hoping to avoid suffering a hat-trick of defeats on home soil having been beaten by Sheffield Wednesday (2-0) and Reading (2-1).
The Bluebirds could hand a full debut to former Cherries loan player Harry Wilson who replaced injured Greg Cunningham after 29 minutes at Deepdale. He joined them on loan from Liverpool last week.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Glen Williams who covers the fortunes of Cardiff for Wales Online.
CARDIFF CITY IN PROFILE
Manager: Neil Harris (appointed November 2019)
Club captain: Sean Morrison
Last game: Preston North End 0-1 Cardiff City (Championship)
Leading goalscorer 2020/21: Kieffer Moore (three, including one for Wales)
Last season’s finishing position: Fifth in Championship (beaten by Fulham in the play-off semi-final)
afcb.co.uk: Briefly summarise Cardiff’s start in the Championship?
GW: It’s been a little underwhelming to be honest. Whether that is due to the quick turnaround or a slight hangover from the play-offs, I can’t quite put my finger on it.
They’ve been a little sloppy at the back, which is unlike them, and just lacked that creativity at the other end of the pitch. It’s early days yet, though and the win and clean sheet at Preston on Sunday were encouraging.
afcb.co.uk: How would you assess Neil Harris’s tenure so far?
GW: When he came in a year ago, fans were a little non-plussed, it is fair to say. But he has done a magnificent job in getting them all onside.
After the new year, his team embarked on an excellent run which led them to finishing fifth in the division, which was no mean feat.
He has done very well, all told.
afcb.co.uk: Cardiff have made a couple of good loan signings in Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool) and Jordi Osei-Tutu (Arsenal) – what are your first impressions?
GW: You are right to call them good loan signings. They both look bright, it must be said.
Sheyi Ojo has a trick in him and doesn't mind firing a shot from range, while Osei-Tutu looks a real find. He is lightning quick and a real asset in attack.
Both promising prospects, that's for sure.
afcb.co.uk: What did you make of Cardiff’s other transfer business?
GW: Kieffer Moore is a top addition, make no mistake of that. He has the potential to be one of the best forwards in this division, if Cardiff play to his strengths.
But the acquisition of Harry Wilson on deadline day was a massive transfer coup for the club. It shows real ambition and I think is a real statement of intent. A hugely exciting signing.
That being said, they have trimmed the squad down massively. Aden Flint, Callum Paterson, Neil Etheridge and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing have all left the club for one reason or another and are all top players in this division.
Whether they will be missed remains to be seen, I suppose.
afcb.co.uk: What is the mood like among supporters at this early stage of the season?
GW: A few grumblings of discontent, it has to be said. But that is to be expected given the stuttering start.
A brilliant end to the transfer window will likely have given them a shot in the arm, though. They just want a string of results now to get this campaign up and running.
afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
GW: Greg Cunningham and Jordi Osei-Tutu were both forced off by injury at Preston and are likely to be doubts. (Cunningham has today been ruled out by Neil Harris, speaking at his pre-match press conference).
Lee Tomlin will return after he was suspended for the weekend's game at Deepdale.
afcb.co.uk: Who is City’s dangerman?
GW: They have a couple, really.
Moore and Wilson are two obvious threats. Wilson's a quality footballer who can hurt you from anywhere, while Moore can be a defender's nightmare and is tremendous in the air.
Should Tomlin play, however, he has magic in his feet and can produce a moment of magic out of nowhere, which perhaps Bournemouth didn't see too regularly during his time with the club.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
GW: I'm going for a 2-1 win to Cardiff.
You can follow Glen on Twitter – @GlenWilliams12
Officials: Simon Hooper (referee), Derek Eaton (assistant), Mark Scholes (assistant, John Busby (fourth official).
