Author The Rambling Ham

The Weekend catch up

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Weekends have a habit of passing us by, whether it’s been a  busy shift at work or just too many Friday night tequilas….you can be forgiven for missing out on whats’s happened in the world of football. 

Fear not!! With that in mind here is a quick re-cap on the main stories from this weekend.

Aubameyang brace seals cup win…

Arsenal came from behind as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the club’s 14th FA Cup trophy, with a delightfully weighted finish as he lifted the ball over the on rushing Willy Cabellero, who could not stop the in-form striker.

Chelsea had started well with an early Christian Pulisic goal, however injuries to Cesar Azpilicueta and Pulisic himself helped to conspire against the blues at a deserted Wembley stadium. 

Arsenal equalised through an Aubameyang penalty after the striker was brought down in the 28th minute before finding the winner on 67 minutes. 

More trouble for Chelsea as Matteo Kovacic was sent off after a 2nd yellow,  just minutes after Aubameyang’s second goal.

Referee Anthony Taylor will have to take a long hard look at himself in the mirror after baffling us all with that second yellow (I’ve watched it over and over and still can’t see a foul… let alone a yellow card!!!).

So long and thanks for all the memories….

Eddie Howe has left his role at AFC Bournmemouth by mutual consent.

After 25 years, first as a player and then as head coach, Howe has decided to call time on his career at the Dorset club. Eleven years in the hotseat, the 42-year-old Englishman has served with distinction having led the club to three succesfull promotions, ultimately taking the South coast club to the Premier League. 

The Bournemouth board will be searching  for a replacement as they look for an immediate return to the top flight.

Bhoys Ahoy!!! 

The Scottish Premiership is back!! Scottish clubs had not played competitively since the league was suspended and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the Scottish government.

With fans still not allowed at grounds, champions Celtic kicked off their quest for a 10th consecutive league title as they thrashed Hamilton 5-1. 

Steven Gerrard’s Rangers came away from Pittodrie with a 1-0 victory and Gerrard had told the press after the game that his side had “put down a marker” for the forthcoming season. 

This year looks set for a close title race as Rangers aim to finally close the gap on their cross-city rivals. 

The Old Lady and a mobile striker…

Serie A came to its conclusion over the weekend and something happened that hadn’t happened for a very long… Juventus lost at home in the league!!

Not since 2018 has the Old Lady lost a home league match, but they surrendered an early lead to a motivated Roma side. With goals from Kalinic and Perotti confirming a first home defeat in 40 matches.

Ronaldo & Co won’t lose any sleep as they won the clubs 9th title in a row. It was however a much closer affair this year as Inter Milan came to just within a point of the Turin based side.

Elsewhere in Italy, Lazio forward Ciro Immobile picked up the European golden shoe pipping Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski to the coveted award for Europe’s top goalscorer. An award not won by a Serie A player since Francesco Totti in 2006/7.

Up up and away….

Harrogate Town AFC will be floating on cloud nine today after Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Notts County in the National League play-off final.

When football was halted in March, the North Yorkshire side were sat in 2nd place and hopes of a their first promotion into the English Football League looked all but over. Thankfully the play-offs were confirmed and Harrogate took full advantage.

The club has only been professional for since 2017, in stark contrast to their opponent’s who were established in 1862 and are the oldest professional club in English football. 

An unbelievable achievement and a new seaon full of firsts awaits the newly promoted side.

Thats a wrap…

The FA Cup closed the book on another chapter in English football, Cristiano and the gang celebrate their Serie A title win and the Scottish Premiership has finally returned.

With action from the Europa League and the Champions League returnimg this week, we will have plenty more to dig our teeth into… I know I’m happy. 

Written by 

Andy Jones 

City start summer spending spree with Ake bid.

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Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake is at the centre of this summer’s first major transfer story. 

WHAT WE KNOW…

A bid of £41 million from Manchester City has been reported by Sky Sports and “has been accepted” the report says.

At time of writing neither club has yet to make any official  comment…

The deal is expected to gather pace now that the offer has been accepted and with Ake keen on a move to the former champions, he will look to further his fledgling career…especially under the stewardship of City manager Pep Guardiola.

AKE’S RISE…

The 25-year-old Dutch International defender has been one of Bournemouth’s most consistent players since his club record move from Chelsea in 2017.

The Dorset based club are set to make a healthy £21 million profit for the their star centre-back.

Ake has made 121 appearances scoring 11 goals in the Premier League during his time at the Vitality stadium, whilst also becoming a key part in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side, partnering the colossal Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the Dutch defence.

His last appearance came in the 4-1 defeat of Leicester City, where he picked up a knock after throwing himself in front of a Jaime Vardy strike. A vital action which kept it 1-0 at half-time.

He watched on as an unused substitute at Goodison Park as Bournemouth beat Everton 3-1 on the final day of the season……

A result which was too little too late as it couldn’t save them from relegation.

FIRST OUT THE BLOCKS…

Man City’s quick and decisive action just days after the final game of the season, is what many believe to be the beginning of a ruthless summer spending spree.

As a squad overhaul is set to take place this summer, Pep Guardiola will be looking to strengthen his pack. The new season looming just over the horizon, the Premier League confirmed the 12th of September for its new campaign to start.

City will want to strengthen quickly as they aim to mount a serious title challenge and regain their Premier League crown.

HOW WILL HE FIT IN? 

Ake is definitely what Guardiola is looking for…a defender who is comfortable on the ball and with a keen eye for a pass. City often look to build their play from the back… The Guardiola way. 

With the futures of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi in doubt, both having had inconsistent seasons, Ake will likely come straight in alongside Aymeric Laporte.

Brazilian Fernandinho would move back into his preferred role in holding midfield… a role in which City had missed his athleticism and ability to break up play.

A LIFE WITHOUT AKE…

Without their star defender, it now leaves the Cherries with stalwart Steve Cook alongside him promising players such as Chris Mepham, Llyod Kelly and Jack Simpson. They will all look to compete for the centre-back places in the upcoming Championship season.

The agreed upon fee will go a long way to boost the clubs finances and with an expected drop off in revenue due to their relegation from the Premier League, this will be a welcome boost in these testing financial times.

A FAN FAVOURITE…

Fans of Bournemouth will be sad to see Ake leave. He became a firm favourite under Eddie Howe during his time on the South coast, so maybe…just maybe, the fee received will go a little way to alleviate fans fears of a mass selling of their best players. 

Vultures will be quick to sweep in on the now Championship side and fans will hope they can keep hold of their best… with Ake set to leave others may start to get restless and push for a move themselves.

Written by 

Andy Jones (aka the Rambling Ham) 

Once upon a time…. in Sunny Bournemouth

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As the sun set on Boscombe beach last Sunday night any glimmer of hope to stay up had been extinguished as AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League status was no longer… the back door had been flung wide open.

After a convincing 3-1 victory over a lethargic Everton side Eddie Howe’s men were left wondering what could have been as their fairytale in  English top flight football had come to an end as Aston Villa drew 1-1 with West Ham to condem their fate.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES…

Despite having a poor season this time round and ultimately getting relegated what has been achieved down at the Vitality stadium is nothing short of remarkable, a real life fairytale! It is the classic story of rags to riches, a Cinderella moment, as the plucky underdogs beat off their rivals to dine at the top table of English football.

Since its inception the Premier League has had many underdog stories, most notably the Leicester City title winning side of 2016. An incredible achievement but when you take a look at what Bournmouth have been through and in such a short time its hard to find a better fairytale than theirs.

Arise Sir Howe…

It all started back in 2009 as the club seemed all but doomed to drop out of the football league. Then came their Knight in shining armour…Eddie Howe.

After successfully keeping them up in his first full season despite a 17 point deduction,h the young english coach oversaw three promotions, first in 2009/10 to League 1, 2011/12 to the Championship and finally their ascension to the holy grail… the Premier League in 2015/16 as champions no less.

In the space of 6 years this popular seaside town went from almost non-leaguers to Premier League ballers… the fans were living their happy ever after.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Fast forward 5 years and the fairytale appears to be over and did they do enough to keep the dream alive?

This season’s relegation now poses some difficult problems for the South coast outfit. After 5 years the club have little to show for their Premier League experience, no new stadium built, still waiting for approval for their training ground and an inflated wage bill is probably the only legacy their fans will see as they slide down into the Championship

Despite the club’s great efforts over the last decade I feel a sense of missed opportunity. Norwich had given up on trying and it showed but Bournemouth did try…kind of?!

Plenty of players were bought but many re-sold or used in an ineffective way. Flops such as Jordan Ibe and Lys Mousset are proof of such mediocrity. However most Bournemouth fans ( and I know a few!) Would argue for every flop there have been two success’ Ake, Brooks, Lerma and Callum Wilson.

These players have had average seasons this year and with players like Cook, Daniels, Francis and Smith all having over performed for so long the cracks were just too big to paint over this year. Now, I am not going to say that players cannot improve and rise through the leagues but Premier League survival often goes hand in hand with Premier League experience, just take a look at David Moyes at West Ham or Roy Hodgson at Palace!

Bournemouth needed more leaders  and Premier League experience on the pitch and after some underwhelming defensive signings you can start to see where Bournemouth’s troubles lay. Diego Rico and Chris Mepham joined and although both are good young prospects, where was the nous, the experience and fundamentally the quality that they needed?

WHAT WILL THEY DO NOW?

The sad fact is that Bournemouth just weren’t good enough and if truth be told they had been punching above their weight for some time now. The real concern is how do they approach next year?

As the financial power of the Premier League abandons them to their second tier fate. A squad clear out is likley to happen with key asssets such as Ake, Brooks and Callum Wilson to be sold to generate funds. It still leaves them with with a squad full of young talent that will hopefully entertain us again with their attractive style, as we have become accustomed too.

The real question is… can they keep the fairytale alive or has this story finally come to an end?

Release the Ham

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That’s right guys and girls, your local neighbourhood Ham has been let of the leash!!

Expect plenty of football chat with a fun, casual tone and at times controversial opinions! Ranging from the top flight to grassroots, so no story is too big (or too small).

Keep an eye out for this weeks first posts

Many thanks

Andy Jones