Ritchie move could start rebuilding project

The rumours of Man Utd being interested in AFCB's Matt Ritchie does not surprise me that much. Matt has been a star player not only this season, but even before he joined the Cherries and it shows how hard it is to get noticed when playing in the lower leagues. Yet, it is also true that for Matt to be talked about in such circles is a credit not only to the player, but the player coaching that has been done at AFCB. While Matt was always a good footballer he has become a much better player at the Cherries.

Matt won player of the month in October.

AFCB fans have been used to seeing good players fly the nest a lot quicker that Matt Ritchie, and while I hope he stays for as long as he can on the south coast, he deserves to take his career as far as he can. But if the top teams in England are seriously looking at Matt it does open up the possibility for AFCB's kitty to be swollen to the extent that Eddie can look to strengthen the side with the kind of players that he could not afford back in the summer.

In this first Premier League season though the Cherries have had a small squad and the talent pool has been stretched with all the injuries. The need has been to add more quality in every position, but the right wing was not a position where Eddie Howe would be keen to do business with season-long loanee Christian Atsu out for some time with a stress fracture. There are possible wingers he could move for if Man Utd did mean business, but a summer sale would be more convenient if the Cherries don't manage to stay up and the Championship beckons. 

Well done to Tokelo Rantie who scored for Bafana Bafana against Angola in a 3-1 win yesterday. It was very sad news thought to wake up to the tragedies in France and my feelings go out to all the families who have lost loved ones.