Saw Bournemouth play Bristol Rovers this afternoon. Sadly, the blond boy wonder never made it off the subs bench. He's still made a good impression at Bournemouth so I'm optimistic on the basis of the reports I've had from Dean Court regulars. Playing for Rovers was one Wayne Brown, formerly of this parish. He started on the left of a four man midfield, scored after four minutes (one on one with the keeper, nicely taken) and then moved to emergency left-back after half an hour when one of his team mates was sent off for elbowing Bournemouth's right back during a Rovers corner. Prior to his positional change, he was having a good game and looked like a very decent player at this level (but those last three words are probably the important ones). There was another sending off (Bournemouth's captain), a Bournemouth equaliser after 84 mins and an 88th minute winner. Add in a flurry of yellow cards and it was quite an entertaining afternoon out. Shame LDV wasn't really part of it. I don't think I'm likely to get to any more Bournemouth games, unless the dates of their play-off semi (today's result makes it very likely they will reach the play-offs) fall kindly for me.
Thanks Captain. Pity that LDV didn't play, but hopefully he's been getting some experience. Good to see that Brown seems settled in the West Country, but Rovers are staring at the bottom division next season.
I hope LDV becomes part of the first team squad next season or at least gets some experience at a Championship team. Thanks for the updates!
Yes, GeraScores, Rovers do look fairly doomed. That's odd, because they looked like a decent (if desperate) side yesterday. As I said, Brown looked pretty good so we may yet see him moving up to bigger and better things. Agreed as well Bandit, I'd like LDV to get some game time next season. Whether it is on the fringes of the firsts with us or on loan elsewhere, we'll have to wait and see. I think he needs to develop the physical side of his game a bit, but his finishing made a big impression on the locals here.
Yes, GeraScores, Rovers do look fairly doomed. That's odd, because they looked like a decent (if desperate) side yesterday. As I said, Brown looked pretty good so we may yet see him moving up to bigger and better things. Agreed as well Bandit, I'd like LDV to get some game time next season. Whether it is on the fringes of the firsts with us or on loan elsewhere, we'll have to wait and see. I think he needs to develop the physical side of his game a bit, but his finishing made a big impression on the locals here.
Cheers Captain for the regular updates. In all honesty, do you see LDV becoming a first team player and if so how far away do you reckon he is?
Froggy, I think he's got a chance. From what my Bournemouth friends have told me (my two visits to see him only resulted in 45 minutes of LDV, without more than a couple of half-chances as AFCB were playing badly that day) he's a sharp finisher. I think he needs to add some robustness to the physical side of his game. Maybe next season will be too soon for him and he'll get loaned out again, but I wouldn't give up on him. Of course, he might prove me wrong with back-to-back hat-tricks once August comes along. We can dream.
