Pitman is up for the battle

I was felt a bit unlucky not being able to see the Capital One Cup match against Northampton Town not just because it was another evening kick off at home but because those that were there were able to see a sharp Brett Pitman go about his work. It is not often that Brett really gets the attention that I feel he deserves. His starting place has come under attack with the signings of Yann Kermorgant and Callum Wilson, but he is showing that he is willing to battle for more time on the pitch and while he keeps scoring you can't ask much more from a number 10.

Pitman is pushing hard for a bigger role.

His task is probably harder than most at the club as Eddie Howe knows him inside out and if he is just slightly off his game Eddie sure knows about it. But from what I saw of the highlights of Capital One second round game, Brett was in the thick of the action and took his goal extremely well when it would have been easy to make a poor decision as he went through on goal. That he had the nerve and presence to calmly take the keeper out of the situation by rounding him and slotting home with ease was a master class for young aspiring strikers who might otherwise have taken a risk by shooting early. 

The joy at seeing others score is also very evident as far as I can see from Brett. He is enjoying his football again and I am expecting Eddie Howe to recognise that and see that he is given a bit more of a chance to show us all that there is nothing he lacks to be a top Championship striker. 

Many players are confidence players and Brett falls into that category for me. When he went on his goal scoring record run two seasons ago, having just rejoined the Cherries he felt wanted and the main man. Things have changed a little since then but he is regaining his swagger which means he is hungry again and whether it means he has to do his bit during the Capital One and FA Cup games to get selected for the league games, that should not be seen as a negative for him as AFCB are building a formidable squad. If Yann and Callum start to dry up in the goals department, Eddie knows he has a reliable performer he can turn to in Brett.