Bournemouth look well on course for a return to the Premier League after a two season absence. They are the best of the rest with Fulham currently set to win the league with ease thanks to the goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Cherries are two points ahead of Huddersfield Town but have three games in hand. However their next game – tonight against Reading – will see manager Scott Parker watching from the stands after being handed a one game touchline ban.
This follows on from his sending off in the game against Preston North End at Deepdale earlier this month.
It came after North End claimed a late winner through Emil Riis, but Parker was not happy about an incident seconds before the goal where he played advantage to Bournemouth after Alan Browne made a late challenge on Phillip Billing. The advantage didn’t last long as Preston quickly won back possession.
Defender Adam Smith was clearly aggrieved by the decision and also received a red card despite having already been substituted in the game.
At the time Parker said he didn’t use any foul language but it has been reported by the FA that it was indeed abusive, insulting and improper.
The one match ban will apply to their game tonight and Parker also received a £2,000 fine.
Bournemouth struggled in the game after Preston, only managing a draw against lowly Peterborough. They returned to winning ways at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Derby County.
The assistant head coach Matthew Wells will lead the side from the touchline against Reading having joined the side with Parker last summer.
Parker will be keen to ensure any other slip ups on and off the pitch are kept to a minimum between now and the end of the season, as they focus on achieving promotion.
Preston have done their best to disrupt The Cherries promotion challenge however with two wins against them this season. One coming under Frankie McAvoy and one under Ryan Lowe, both by the same 2-1 scoreline.