A slow start in August could prolong Fraser's season

With Ryan Fraser missing out on the friendlies against Southampton and Portsmouth because of injury you'd probably think that Ryan was cursing his luck this past week. But I believe it might well work in his favour to miss some of these friendlies, and maybe even the Swansea game if it enables him to be on the bench for the Huddersfield game. I know he will want to start every game, but it is a long season in the Championship and if he tries to come back too quickly after the knock he sustained against Dorchester he will not help anyone, especially himself if he breaks down.

So a fit Ryan Fraser with a full bill of health is what Eddie Howe should demand before he picks him for the team. I don't think Ryan would rush back as he seems a young lad with plenty of intelligence and will be starting to know exactly how hard he can push his body. It reminds me a little of Matt Ritchie last season when he was unable to shake-off his pre-season injury, but it is not as bad as that and Ryan will soon be back in the frame for selection.

Fraser may have to keep his fingers on the computer games
for a bit longer. Shaun MacDonald says he needs the practise.

With having to play Scottish U21 internationals as well, there is no need to see what Ryan can do in these next few games as he has shown last season that he is more than capable of living with the pressure of playing in the Championship. I am not sure he got quite the recognition he was perhaps due last season because Lewis Grabban and Simon Francis played so well. But to keep Marc Pugh out of almost half the games is no mean feat and he is surely destined for great things for Bournemouth and for his country. A slow start to his season may just be really helpful to him to recharge his battery and ensure that he prolongs his season.

Everyone will want to be in that first eleven to face Huddersfield but some will have to miss out. The good thing is AFCB have plenty in cover in pretty well every position this coming season and that is signalling to me that the team can be up near the top like the last campaign.

There was news this morning on one website that Adam Barton of Coventry City an U21 Ireland international could be on his way to AFCB, but I have not seen the story elsewhere. Certainly Eddie Howe hinted that one more player could be coming in before the start of the season.

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