I think most peoples attitudes to Francis were shaped by the fact that he never really wanted the ball, didn't go looking for it in our half, and often launched it aimlessly when he got it. Obviously when attacking he had more options, like booting it off a defender for a throw or crossing, so he looked better. I think it was a confidence thing, but too late for him.
I expect every day that passes he thinks "if only I had stayed at Charlton - I might be playing League 1 football, on a fraction of what I am earning now and with those lovely boo boys constantly on my back".
It was a mistake. What his career shows though is in right team, with the right manager who has confidence in him, where the fans are not on his case a player like Francis can flourish.
It is indeed. The one that was Charltonised but who went on to play over 300 games for Bournemouth and a vital cog in Eddie Howe's defence from League 1 to the Championship to the Premier League.
It is indeed. The one that was Charltonised but who went on to play over 300 games for Bournemouth and a vital cog in Eddie Howe's defence from League 1 to the Championship to the Premier League.
Player of the season at Southend before joining us and player of the season at least twice at Bournemouth after leaving us. I remember seeing photos of his stag do when his friends made him wear a Charlton shirt.
It was painful to watch, especially at the end of his time here. You could visably see his confidence crumble and he was a broken man. The abuse he got from a (large) section of our fans was vile.
Some of our fans were awful to him and his confidence evaporated.
Mind you…..he was utter shyte.😏
I actually think that "we" the fans made him worse. I clearly remember him miss kicking the ball and missing passes that worsened with the booing. Felt a bit sorry for him as his confidence clearly suffered. He had to move on and after he did his career went from strength to strength - so the ability was always there.
It's lovely to see my local team doing well and making progress for a bright future. Nice that Simon Francis is a big part of it too. I moved to Bournemouth/Poole 38 years ago at age 33. My son was born here and has lived here all his life but I brainwashed him into being an addick. #Crapdad
Tbf he was one of the worst players i have seen in the flesh down the valley nearly every game for us he was terrible
TBF I didn't get to many games that season because of work but I think it was Oxford at home when he was superb as an attacking RB and made two assists. By the time of the 1st 45 minutes against Preston before getting hooked in the League cup he had totally lost his confidence and why people get off on giving stick to an individual player is totally alien to me during a game.
Ironic that both Francis and Fox played higher than CAFC since getting away from the quick sand.
From memory he really struggled defensively as a RB with us, the fans lost patience and got on his back and destroyed his confidence. He probably had some muppet playing in front of him and didn't get forward much. My memory fails. At Bournemouth he had licence to get forward, was dynamite as a wing back and a great crosser of the ball. Once he got his confidence back and knew he was loved and trusted he excelled, even as a centre back and captain. A salutary lesson I think
From memory he really struggled defensively as a RB with us, the fans lost patience and got on his back and destroyed his confidence. He probably had some muppet playing in front of him and didn't get forward much. My memory fails. At Bournemouth he had licence to get forward, was dynamite as a wing back and a great crosser of the ball. Once he got his confidence back and knew he was loved and trusted he excelled, even as a centre back and captain. A salutary lesson I think
From memory he really struggled defensively as a RB with us, the fans lost patience and got on his back and destroyed his confidence. He probably had some muppet playing in front of him and didn't get forward much. My memory fails. At Bournemouth he had licence to get forward, was dynamite as a wing back and a great crosser of the ball. Once he got his confidence back and knew he was loved and trusted he excelled, even as a centre back and captain. A salutary lesson I think
That we will never learn
We have a fair share of stupid fans who think abusing their own players is helpful - never heard anyone manage to explain the logic behind it.
It's embarrassing to witness fellow 'fans' hurling abuse at players. Obviously the more sensitive players must really suffer
He was very good coming forward 2nd at Spurs in the FA Cup. Showed there what he was capable of. I actually thought he looked better on the very rare occasion he played at CB.
Comments
In all seriousness , mistakes happen and I'm pleased his career is generally going well
http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/simon-francis-named-as-afc-bournemouth-club-captain-for-201617-season.-3190098.aspx
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cgm9m1yzme9o
-it is our Francis isn't it?
Nice that Simon Francis is a big part of it too.
I moved to Bournemouth/Poole 38 years ago at age 33.
My son was born here and has lived here all his life but I brainwashed him into being an addick.
#Crapdad
Embarassing to hear the stick some players have had to endure. Not sure what the logic is?
Morgan Fox had to hear plenry of abuse....
nearly every game for us he was terrible
Well done, Morgan !
TBF I didn't get to many games that season because of work but I think it was Oxford at home when he was superb as an attacking RB and made two assists.
By the time of the 1st 45 minutes against Preston before getting hooked in the League cup he had totally lost his confidence and why people get off on giving stick to an individual player is totally alien to me during a game.
Ironic that both Francis and Fox played higher than CAFC since getting away from the quick sand.
He probably had some muppet playing in front of him and didn't get forward much. My memory fails.
At Bournemouth he had licence to get forward, was dynamite as a wing back and a great crosser of the ball.
Once he got his confidence back and knew he was loved and trusted he excelled, even as a centre back and captain.
A salutary lesson I think
It's embarrassing to witness fellow 'fans' hurling abuse at players. Obviously the more sensitive players must really suffer