Eddie was proved right to leave Harry out for Barnsley game

There were some difficult selection picks for Eddie Howe to make for the Oakwell game. The omission of Harry Arter was perhaps the biggest shock as he has been the number one midfielder for most of the season. Having played in mid-week though and with tough games to come against Leeds, Birmingham and QPR in the next few weeks it was probably a very clever decision to give Harry a rest against a team that he will have hoped the Bournemouth would get a win.

Harry had only just come back in the Blackburn game and had missed out the Blackpool away fixture. But he has played lots of games this season and by trying something else Eddie has given other players a chance to claim their place. I would expect Harry will be back for the Leeds match where a bit of aggression will no doubt be required, although Ian Harte will be doing enough for three players on the night I would think.

It looks like Arter is being saved for bigger games.

When Harry last ran out against Charlton he did not have many shots at goal and did do a lot of running on a heavy pitch. Now that he has missed a game he should be hungrier to play and will have a bit more strength. Looking after the players is something that Eddie must feel is necessary at this stage of the season and others could be rotated as well. 

You will have noticed that Mohamed Coulibaly and Shaun MacDonald did not make the squad against Barnsley as Eddie brought in Brett Pitman to the squad and Ritchie started, playing his part in revitalising AFCB's goal threat with Kermorgant as the target man for him to hit with his crosses. There are so many games now that some players have to take a rest at some point. However, Simon Francis seems to be superman in this respect. I hope he can keep going.