Thomas is staying put - and that's final

Many of you will have heard that Wes Thomas has been the subject of a Swindon Town bid today which was flatly turned down by AFCB. There is no real surprise that Bournemouth were quick to turn away any interest in the striker as the club is already down to the bear bones in terms of strikers and the Cherries are looking to strengthen themselves in that department.

Wes Thomas is going nowhere says Howe.

How much is Wes Thomas worth? A few matches ago many AFCB supporters would have been pleased for hi to leave at any price, but there has been a change in his attitude and two standing ovations at his recent performances even if he has not scored since pre-season. Wes is a bit of an enigma. He can be magnificent but he often carries himself in a style that looks disinterested. He does usually get himself in the right places but is prone to missing the simplest of chances. Yet, on his day he can be a devastating goal threat.

While Grabban has managed to score after a long goal draught for the Cherries it is very much hoped I feel by the club that Thomas not only continues to rival the main strikers of Pitman and Grabban but also does his part in scoring many goals this season for AFCB. I don't think AFCB will encourage any price for the striker right now. He is too valuable to us. The only way I could see Thomas leaving before August is if it were as part of a swap deal and Swindon just have not go the players to enter into such a bargain. So it's cold water for Swindon as they are forced to look elsewhere for a striker. They may well have thought with the Ritchie move that they could get something in return, but AFCB seem to be building not dismantling.

Thomas is only one of a few AFCB player that seems to have attracted some interest this summer. Matt Tubbs and Jonathan Mead come to mind but it has not been the mass exodus that was perhaps expected. It is possible that we will need to brace ourselves for more bid for other players as the window near its close. I would say though that there is more chance of us allowing a defender like Addisson or a keeper such as Jalal to flee Dean Court than a possible 15 goal a season striker. 

A second bid has apparently gone in for Wes Thomas, late Thursday night, from Swindon and Jed McCrory, according to the echo after a suggested first bid of £125,000. If AFCB did want to remove the previously unhappy striker the opportunity is there, but can Swindon match an asking price if Bournemouth want to sell at all? Things could get interesting if another club decided to make a bid, but if Thomas is due to play on Saturday it is not helping AFCB's preparations. Watch this space.

The second bid from Swindon has also been turned down now.