With still over 90 days left before the start of next season, Eddie Howe has a lot of video watching to do of possible targets over the summer to bolster the Cherries squad. Who might he take a look at?
While Charlie Austin has been talked about probably more than any other player as a target it is rumoured that Burnley would ask to high a price for AFCB to afford his services. Do we need to look at other options like Yeovil's Paddy Madden (23) who has had an excellent season in League One? Or should Eddie even look another league down at Tom Pope (27), like he did with Lewis Grabban?
Another striker that AFCB could have gone for when he was in the lower leagues is Adam Le Fondre (26) who was a Rotherham for many years but now has had Premiership experience at Reading. His inability to get many minutes on the pitch could make him vulnerable to a move over the summer. If Tubbs was sold I could see Le Fondre as an even better replacement.
Sam Baldock at Bristol City has been considered by some AFCB fans as a target and I can see why with him dropping to League One. He has to be a winger worth considering with his experience and he is only 24.
My choice would be Chris Eagles (27) though at Bolton. I think we need a bit of class and I feel Eagles is very direct and could be a strong addition to the squad if we could afford his wages and his price tag.
We were a bit short of cover at left back this season. How about Jake Bidwell (20) at left back who on loan at Brentford from Everton?
I did use to like Adam Smith (22) playing in our back four and as MK Dons have not made it up Adam could be interested in a move and affordable. He knows how we play and will know players at the club.
Who would be top of your list, strikers, midfield, defenders or goalkeepers?
Any defenders you have seen that are as good or better than Elphick and Cook? I don't think Jason Pearce would swap Leeds Utd for AFCB. But how about Sheffield Utd's Harry Maguire (20)? He has been a great defender for the Blades.
Perhaps there are some more Scottish gems like Ryan Fraser to be found?
If you send in your suggestions for Eddie's viewing we will run a poll over the summer to see who the best candidates might be. It doesn't have to be any of the players I have spoken of, I bet you have some more suggestions.
Oh, and if anyone sees Peter Odemwingie parked up outside our ground please tell him that we did not put in a bid for him.
This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries, it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that inspired me to write this blog.
Think we have moved on from tiny Tom watching DVDs :-)
ReplyDelete