Surman the play maker returns to AFCB

It may not be a signing that has everyone jumping for joy at hearing that Andrew Surman is on his way back to playing for AFCB, but the qualities of the midfielder were intricately linked to some of the best form that the Cherries had last season. It is clear that Andrew is happy playing his football at Bournemouth in the second tier and Eddie Howe is delighted to have him back in red and black as a permanent three-year signing following last season's loan.

Will Surman's link up play with Callum Wilson ignite AFCB's season?

Options is what Eddie Howe seems to be looking for. Whether that means some players sitting out two or three games and then to be given two or three games themselves or some substitute appearances is not yet clear. But rotation can either give strength or sometimes sap the consistency of a regular team selection, so it is of particular interest that Eddie Howe sees Andrew Surman as a key figure to secure having chased his signature all summer from what we can assess from various football sites. Neil Adams has finally let go, but I don't think it was such a hard decision for Surman in the end.

For me, I saw Dan Gosling as a direct replacement for Surman and yet Howe has always said that he has admired the work rate, tempo and passing abilities of Andrew Surman. The fees has been reported to be around £500,000 which does not seem excessive for the experience Surman has, while we know that he will fit straight into any current system Eddie Howe wants to play having been at the club last season. That familiarity is a bonus with this signing and it will be just like having a player back rather than a new recruit. So the play maker has returned, and with him striking the balanced passes in the last third, AFCB have probably just given themselves a better chance of making the top six this season. Andrew will wear the number six shirt.

Let's see if there will be any further additions or dare I say it, departures tonight.