AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be looking to make further progress when they meet Stoke City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).
David Brooks, Hamed Traoré and Ryan Christie were on target as the Cherries set up a meeting with the Potters thanks to a 3-2 win against Swansea City in the second round.
Stoke’s impressive start to the season included home victories over fellow Championship clubs West Brom (2-1) and Rotherham (6-1) in the first two rounds of the competition.
Alex Neil’s team also recorded wins against the Millers and Watford – both at the bet365 Stadium – as they claimed six points from their first three games in the Championship.
Summer signing André Vidigal has hit the ground running, the frontman netting five goals in his first six games since joining from Portuguese outfit Marítimo.
Vidigal’s decider added to a Josh Griffiths own goal as the Potters edged out West Brom in the first round before a double from skipper Josh Laurent coupled with goals from Tyrese Campbell, Wouter Burger, Ryan Mmaee and Mehdi Léris saw them beat Rotherham 6-1 in the second round.
Since triumphing against the Millers last month, Stoke – the 1971/72 League Cup winners – have taken a solitary point from four games in the Championship, drawing with Huddersfield (2-2) and losing against Preston (2-0), Norwich (1-0) and Hull (3-1).
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Sohail Sahi who covers the fortunes of the Potters for BBC Radio Stoke and has also seen a number of AFC Bournemouth games working for Radio 5 Live.
STOKE CITY PROFILE
Founded: 1863
Ground: bet365 Stadium
Nicknames: The Potters
Record appearances: Eric Skeels – 597 games (1960-76)
Record goalscorer: John Ritchie – 176 goals in 362 games
Head coach: Alex Neil (appointed August 2022)
Club captain: Josh Laurent (pictured below)
League position: 20th
Leading goalscorer: André Vidigal (five in all competitions)
Last game: Stoke City 1 Hull City 3 (Championship)
afcb.co.uk: Give us your take on the second-round win against Rotherham?
SS: I thought it was quite routine. They started brilliantly and scored after two minutes through Wouter Burger, one of their 17 new signings this season.
Once they got that goal, they ran away with it. They beat Rotherham 4-1 in the Championship on the opening day of the season so when they drew them in the Carabao Cup, I think they were licking their lips.
I thought it would have been a confidence-booster for their league form but that hasn’t proved to be.
It was a fantastic display and came on the back of beating West Brom in the first round. They have played two games in the Carabao Cup and beaten two Championships teams.
afcb.co.uk: How is the season going in general?
SS: I tend to separate cup football and league football. I know a lot of people like to put them together but I don’t.
They have done well in the Carabao Cup – two home games, two good performances and two wins.
Their league form is poor, they have drawn one and lost four of their past five games. They have only won twice in the Championship. In that context, the league form isn’t great.
afcb.co.uk: How has Alex Neil approached the Carabao Cup in terms of team selection?
SS: He’s gone strong. Both line-ups against West Brom and Rotherham were competitive and I think he will do the same against Bournemouth.
They have signed 17 players, 13 permanent and four on loan. Mark Travers can’t play because he’s on loan from Bournemouth so I’m almost certain that Jack Bonham will start in goal.
They need to find a system. Alex Neil has been tinkering between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1. He wants to find a system and I think he will start with a particular system and will stick with it.
afcb.co.uk: How has Ben Pearson (pictured above) settled at Stoke?
SS: Brilliantly. He was finding his feet in the first few games but he’s been outstanding recently. He’s been my man of the match in the past few games.
He missed the defeat against Hull due to suspension. Everyone at Bournemouth will know he’s a scrapper.
He was the first player in the Championship to pick up five bookings this season so he missed the Hull game. Bournemouth supporters might smile when they see that stat! He’s settled really well.
afcb.co.uk: Who is their one to watch?
SS: If he starts, André Vidigal (pictured above). If he’s on the bench, Sead Haksabanovic.
Vidigal has scored four goals in the Championship and one in the Carabao Cup. He’s the star turn at the moment.
If he doesn’t start, the other player to watch is Haksabanovic, who is on loan from Celtic. He signed on deadline day and has made a good start.
Vidigal has an ankle strain which kept him out for a few games before he came off the bench against Hull.
Once Vidigal and Haksabanovic start playing together, I think Stoke supporters will have a lot to look forward to.
afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
SS: Lewis Baker has been out since pre-season with a knee injury and Enda Stevens is out with a calf strain.
There are question marks over two or three other players as well and we will know more when we see the teamsheet.
afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game panning out and what’s your score prediction?
SS: A lot will depend on the Bournemouth line-up. There will be changes from Stoke but they will go strong.
They lost heavily against Hull and were outplayed so there will be changes to reflect that. I also think there will be changes reflecting the system.
It could be tough for Stoke if six or seven of the Bournemouth players who played against Brighton start.
But if they go with the team which started against Swansea in the previous round, I think Stoke might have a chance. If that’s the case, I’ll go 1-1 and Stoke to win on penalties.
You can follow Sohail on Twitter – @SohailSahi
Officials: Graham Scott (referee), Darren Cann (assistant), Sam Lewis (assistant), James Linington (fourth official).
