Eddie Howe’s stewardship has been hugely applauded after Bournemouth’s steady performance last season. It was the second season running that the Cherries managed to shrug off the relegation scare pretty easily. Bournemouth never looked panic stricken as Howe injected a sort of confidence to the team as they rubbed shoulders with the big boys of the Premier League pretty comfortably.
The Cherries have been pretty entertaining with their attacking display and there hasn’t been any discomfort in their approach to deal with the stern competition.
On top of their performance, Bournemouth have been pretty ruthless in their spending as the Cherries have added some quality to their ranks in the likes of Jermain Defoe and Nathan Ake who have strengthened the squad at the Vitality Stadium this summer.
Strength
The arrival of Jermain Defoe has certainly boosted their attacking contingent. Defoe was, in a way, Sunderland’s lone provider of goals last season and if he does replicate his form, the Cherries will have a realistic chance to outshine their previous performance this season.
And the icing on the cake will be Josh King’s presence in the side. The 25-year-old had an outstanding season as he led the team from the front. He is likely to partner Defoe up front and the supporters would be expecting some fireworks again this season.
Weakness
Bournemouth’s relatively weaker defence could be exposed in the Premier League although they have acquired the services of Ake from Chelsea this summer. The Cherries leaked 67 goals last season and Howe brought in Ake and Asmir Begovic in a bid to stop the floodgate.
Cherries’ main strength has been their attack but they do have to concentrate on their defending as a team who have European ambition shouldn’t be so suscept defensively.
Key Players
It has to be Josh King. The centre forward’s future has been subject to severe speculation but Howe has managed to convince him to stay at the Vitality Stadium for at least another season.
It was pretty important for Howe to find a new face who could replace Artur Boruc between the sticks and Asmir Begovic’s arrival should give Howe a lot of confidence before the season kicks off.
Expectations
Bournemouth’s commendable performance last season should not bring complacency to the side and if they manage to balance their attack and defence, they should be easily clinching a place in the top ten and then take it from there. In terms of relegation, they are expected to avoid the drop by a huge margin.
