Bournemouth fans absolutely adore Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph for wholly different reasons than we do.
To say Randolph's record against the Cherries is 'unfortunate' would be an understatement; prior to West Ham's visit to Dean Court earlier this afternoon, the 29-year-old Bray man had conceded 16 goals in three games vs Bournemouth.
It was a stat which didn't go unnoticed when Ireland's number one was interviewed by Sky Sports ahead of his return to the south coast on Thursday.
Darren Randolph v Bournemouth
Last 3 games
16 goals conceded...
Just don't mention it to him... ?? #WHUFC #AFCB pic.twitter.com/f0itRQATLe— Soccer Saturday ⚽️ (@SoccerSaturday) March 11, 2017
Today, despite his best efforts and two missed penalties - one of which Randolph saved - the West Ham 'keeper shipped three more to his own personal arch rivals, bringing his record against Bournemouth to 23 goals conceded in five games, or an average of over 4.5 goals conceded every time he takes to the field against Eddie Howe's side.
It prompted the Bournemouth faithful to break out an old chant which originated from their 4-2 victory over Birmingham - for whom Randolph was in goal - back in 2015 (this was the reverse fixture of an 8-0 win for which Randolph was also in nets earlier that same season).
- it's happened again!
It's happened again!
Darren Randolph it's happened again ⚽🍒— Stu J Smith (@StuJSmith837) March 11, 2017
8 goals away at Birmingham
4 goals at home against Birmingham
3 goals today @RandzOfficial it's happened again..— ryan 🦈 (@imyungryan) March 11, 2017
'Darren Randolph it's happening again' https://t.co/Hnbq0aNtlS
— Tyler Gregory (@TylerGregory15) March 11, 2017
ITS HAPPENED AGAAAAAAIN, DARREN RANDOLPH, ITS HAPPENED AGAIN
— ryan 🦈 (@imyungryan) March 11, 2017
Darren Randolph vs Bournemouth....
4-2
8-0
4-2
4-3
3-2
23 goals conceded in 5 games 👀 #afcb— Mark Jackson (@Jackson94Mark) March 11, 2017
Sadly, that's not the only chant Bournemouth have reserved in their back catalogue for Randolph.
They were also quick to remind him of one of the worst nights of his career, when Bournemouth put eight past Randolph's Birmingham in 2015 and 'even' South African international striker Tokelo Rantie, who netted just five times in 47 games for the Cherries, put the ball in the Irishman's net.
#afcb fans reminding Darren Randolph about 8-0 at Bormingham when he was in goal - "8-0, even Rantie scored!"
— Daily Echo Sport (@BmthEchoSport) March 11, 2017
8-0 even rantie scored has got to be one of my favourite chants
— • (@afcbfrank) March 11, 2017
8-0. Even Rantie scored
— Alex Deutsch (@alexdeutsch) March 11, 2017
Thankfully from an Irish perspective, there are currently no Welsh internationals on Bournemouth's books.
