Some new faces will be needed at AFCB

There has not been a huge rush of new names linked with AFCB. I can guess that striker options will be continue to be the headache for the club right up until the first day of the new season, but I have said that I would like to see a few more defenders added to the squad. But who stands out as a contender to fit a club that is on the rise and aiming for the top end of the Championship? I would like to see the Cherries go for good Championship players that know the league well and are on similar wages to those already at the club,,just because I don't want to see a massive overspend. That may mean looking at players in rival teams in the Championship and seeing who stood out last season.

Grant Hanley limbers up in the background at Dean Court last season.
 I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Cherries' shirt.

Kasper Gorkss has been released by Reading and is a free agent with experience of the Premiership with QPR and Reading. Then there's Wigan's captain Gary Caldwell who would be a committed defender although some may say that for both of these players have their best years behind them at 32. A younger talent is Ben Gibson at Middlesbrough who had a strong season - a 21 year old who has been capped at England U17-U21. A player certainly in his prime that I like is Grant Hanley, captain at Blackburn. He has also played for Rangers as well as being a Scotland international and is still only 22. Such quality would come at a price though and we will see if AFCB are really looking to bring in high calibre players in the next few weeks and if they can get near the asking prices. 

Of course we would like to see Premiership quality players at AFCB and whoever does come in will not meet everybody's tastes. The important thing will be can they work well with the other members of the squad and Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall? When it comes to central defenders you need players that can form partnerships and feel at ease playing from the back like Eddie Howe has encouraged his players to do. Such needs could send the scouts to the continent or even further afield, but some freshening up will not only boost the squad, but also the fans and the manager. UTCIAD!

World Cup Chimes gives a reaction to England's 3-0 win against Peru and hope for further improvements in Florida.