Eddie active in loan market

The move to bring in Arsenal's Nico Yennaris may seem a surprise to AFCB fans but the 20 year-old Gunner could well allow Eddie Howe to keep the team formation he is used to playing at home against Brighton and gives more competition to places. In the last few days I have been pondering how the team will set up against Brighton with Ward and Cook missing at the back. At first I thought three at the back would be the way to go but with Nico now joining the squad it would give Eddie Howe the chance to play him at right back instead of Simon Francis. Would Francis then be moved to centre back? Does Miles Addison still come into the team? Is Cook recovering better than we think?

Of course we could be jumping the gun here. Nico also plays in midfield, which would make me wonder if Ritchie or Fraser may still be feeling slightly below par after their half hour returns last week. Whatever the ramifications to the starting line up, the sheer fact that Nico Yennaris has been signed for a month would indicate to me that Eddie wants to play him and that could even mean playing him in centre midfield. While Francis has been pretty much ever present at right back for the Cherries, I also wonder if he needs a rest and that is the simple reason for the signing.

The great thing is the quality of player that AFCB is now recruiting. Not only has the team attracted the experience of Lee Camp in goal, but Eddie Howe has also gone for some youthful talent in Nico who will have been training with the elite in Arsenal's Premiership squad. 

While it would be good to have a settled team at least AFCB are trying to bring in players who have something that is likely to improve the quality already at the club. I am very excited that Nico is likely to make his AFCB debut against Brighton on Saturday and to see how good this U19 England player is.

It was also announced that Jayden Stockley had been recalled from his loan period at Leyton Orient, but has now joined Torquay until 2nd Jan.