AFCB need to stay a forward thinking club

It still gives me a terrific buzz just looking back at some of the videos and pictures of AFCB's fantastic run in and deep down there is something inside that says this is going to be the start of something really good. The players look very hungry to achieve more and I can imagine that when the first goal goes in for the Cherries in the Premier League, the TV cameras will be red hot with the celebratory scenes. But I know that the success has come because The Cherries have been a forward thinking club and it will have to stay that way to do well at the next level.

While there is a summer to get through before AFCB can kick that first ball in the Premier League there will be a lot of work going  into the job of trying to keep the momentum going. The signings that the club make will go a long way in building the excitement along with the pre-season games capturing an even greater buzz of expectation as we get nearer to 8th August. There will not be too long to reflect on what has been achieved. It has been amazing and we have to be thrilled for what the players have achieved, but it is important that they don't feel overawed by the task ahead and feel ready to beat the teams at the next level. It is going to be strange seeing those fixtures next Wednesday but AFCB has to be ready for the challenge.

A good team spirit and hard work has taken the Cherries a long way.
Will the additions of Atsu, King and Federici add much improvement to the team? 

Knowing that Eddie Howe is there to help them push on even further is all that I believe the players will need to excel in the Premier League. You can tell that by the way that Simon Francis recently spoke about Eddie and what he means to them all. Steve Cook was just as enthusiastic for his manager and I hope that Eddie can achieve all he wants to by staying at AFCB for many seasons yet.

Next season will be all about establishing the club at this new level. After that it won't be any easier if AFCB survive their first Premier League season as other clubs will be looking at what progress has been made at Dean Court and looking to see if they can attract any players or even Eddie and Jason to a new challenge. I think a lot will depend on what Maxim Demin wants to do with regards to building the club and sorting out the best way of making the stadium right for the Premier League. If AFCB can provide the kind of forward momentum that make it a centre of excellence for football then we have seen with some other clubs that you can grow in the Premier League even if you are a new member to the group.

Finally, good luck to both Shaun MacDonald in Wales Euro qualifier against Belgium and Josh King who is in the squad for Norway v Azerbaijan.