The Cherries couldn't have made a worse start against Birmingham City as Shinnie fired the Blues in to a 3rd minute lead following a low cross Lee cross which simply wasn't dealt with. Far too easy a goal to concede at any stage, let alone in the first few minutes.
At this stage, the Cherries were very much on the back foot as City tried to press home their advantage as the Cherries didn't look overly settled.
As it became clear that City were unable, or incapable, of taking extending their advantage, the Cherries decided that they were capable of playing after all. In fact they have City very much on the back foot as a succession of corners were won, as City were pegged back in their own final third of the pitch. Try as they might though, the Cherries front line couldn't break through through a combination of wanting to pass the ball around too much (looking for that 'perfect' killer pass?) or when they did have a pop at goal it was either wide or tame and straight at Randolph in the Blues' goal. it also has to be said that the service from midfield was erractic, with crossing poor to say the very least! Far too easy a day for the City keeper!!
The Cherries cause wasn't helped just after the half hour mark when Zigic fired home under Lee Camp. Again it was far too easy in the execution to allow City to bag their second of the afternoon.
To their credit through, the Cherries tried to hit back, against winning a succession of corners, and peppering the City goal with plenty of shot. But again, they were easily dealt with. One attempt on target, from Matt Ritchie was clawed off the line with the keeper at full stretch. There just seemed to be that feeling that it wasn't going to be our day!
The second hand followed a similar pattern. This time though City had a 2-goal cushion to protect and probably knew deep down that the Cherries weren't going to pose too much of a threat in front of goal, despite all of their possession and patient build up play. Sadly that proved to be just the case. Even when the ball did seem goal bound, this time Randolph produced a remarkable double save to prevent a certain goal!
Despite Eddie shuffling his cards, by bringing on a number of substitutions, the attempts on goal count kept climbing while City were looking comfortable even though they had barely 40% possession. Sadly the Cherries couldn't make their dominance count, or hurt City when they were on top.
Bright moments in the match? Credit to Steve Cook for another assured display at the back. Credit also to my man of the match, 
Eunan O'Kane, who ran his legs off, producing some great football. Sadly not matched by many of his colleagues. Still there are still positive signs that we will be okay in this League, but still need to wise up and by more clinical when it counts.
AFCB: Camp, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, O'Kane, Pugh, Grabban
Subs: Flahavan, Harte, Yennaris, MacDonald, Fraser (for Surman, 45 mins), Rantie (for Pugh, 66 mins), Pitman (for Daniels, 79 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth