Eunan could be the key man against Barnsley

I was encouraged by the first match back for Eunan O'Kane against Blackpool. He started very strongly looking for some big diagonal passes for Daniels on the left and some quick release passes to Fraser and Grabban, when Bournemouth broke from their own box. I don't feel that Eunan got himself as far forward as he would have liked on occasions, but that is also a mark of how dangerous Blackpool are with players like Tom Ince waiting for teams to over expose their back line.

Eunan impressed with his performance against Blackpool after a long lay off.

When AFCB take on Barnsley I would imagine that Eunan will keep his place if Harry Arter is still on the injury list. Much of Bournemouth's ability press on the opposition will be down to those in the centre of midfield to spot the runs of our wide players and forwards while looking to get a shot away themselves. Eunan is capable of getting on the score sheet from shots in and around the box as we have seen and I am hoping that he feels fitter now having got that full 90 minutes under his belt. 

After the Blackpool game when Eunan gave an interview he said that his lungs were feeling it during the second half. Still I remember him bursting into the box in extra time beating his man and getting to the byline, even if his final cross was disappointing, ending up in Gilk's hands. If he had managed to pick out a red and black shirt, Bournemouth could have been sitting on 10 points. That game has gone though and Bournemouth will be desperate to get three points now against Barnsley on Tuesday night.

As long as Eunan's legs are not too heavy after the Blackpool game, he should be the one that is pulling most of the strings in and around Barnsley's box on Tuesday night. He'll know that he needs a big performance and that AFCB really need the points.

For another side to the story for tonight's game, make sure you take a look at the quick interview Cherry Chimes had with Ian Wilkinson, who is a life long fan of the Tykes and who writes the fabulous prose at On The Ponty End. Ian's chat with Cherry Chimes is on Rival Lines.