Cook sees AFCB as an 'unfinished project'

Steve Cook intends to be a Cherry until at least 2017.

It was really pleasing to see the news that Steve Cook had agreed new terms with the Cherries today as he signed a new three year contract - see AFCB official website. It would have been easy for him to take a leap at this stage by listening to some of the Premiership and larger Championship teams that could have been interested in his services, but he chose to stay at AFCB. That is massive for the future of this club as most teams that have success have a settled back four and Cook has played his part in that during the last two seasons.

What Cook offers though is a player who looks comfortable on the ball when he comes out of defence. He doesn't always take the easy pass option and will dribble with the ball past a player when he sees an opportunity. He also has a knack of getting the odd goal from corners and his overhead kick against Ipswich last year still takes my breath away. He has now shown his loyalty to the club and I bet the fans can't thank him enough. 

For Bournemouth though the signing is confirmation that they aim to challenge those top six places next season. Cook himself sees the project as 'unfinished' business and I hope he is right and can help deliver the Premiership dream. The arrival of ex-Premiership players in the shape of Gosling and Stanislas was enough to encourage Cook that the club is still moving forward and with the news that Lallana has completed his move to Liverpool the way is now clear for AFCB to either put some money aside or bring in further recruits to the squad. I believe that AFCB are in the best shape before pre-season than they have been in many a year and the challenge will be to get a good start for this new campaign.