As usual Eddie Howe keeps his cards close to his chest. He has the money to spend if he so wishes to add to AFCB's defence, but he has already brought many players in this summer and it is questionable why he has not felt it necessary to think more about strengthening his back four this summer rather than the attacking options which he has been keener to get in.
Brad Smith and Nathan Aké are the signings that have added more strength to the back line and they now look strong candidates to have some involvement in the first game of the season. While a settled tam is what every manager wants to quickly see evolve it may take the Cherries up to the September break before we see the side really take on its more predictable personnel. That may be even more the case if the transfer market is looked at yet again. The window may be open to the end of August but the players that move now may well attract higher fees with bidders getting more eager to secure their final links in their squads.
While names have been banded about such as Steven Caulker, Nedum Onuoha, Lewis Dunk and Jonny Evans, any moves for players could be dependent on other sales going through before teams can release players and it could be a waiting game. The loan option is also there and it was interesting to see Man Utd signal that it could be time up for players like U19 Cameron Borthwick-Jackson could appeal to Howe who has already started to stack up on young international potential.
Personally, I'd like to see an experienced defender come in and Jonny Evans would be my pick. Jason Tindall continues to be questioned by the local press over whether the side is strong enough defensively having seen Elphick and Distin depart, but he and Eddie seem convinced that the side is strong enough if the season started today and that Tyrone Mings could be viewed as a defender that can play at centre-back. That is quite an ask for Tyrone though having not had much of a taste of the Premier League yet so my instinct tells me that there will be a bid for another centre-back in the coming days.
Match Day Gallery has a few pictures from last night's warm up with Valencia.
Brad Smith and Nathan Aké are the signings that have added more strength to the back line and they now look strong candidates to have some involvement in the first game of the season. While a settled tam is what every manager wants to quickly see evolve it may take the Cherries up to the September break before we see the side really take on its more predictable personnel. That may be even more the case if the transfer market is looked at yet again. The window may be open to the end of August but the players that move now may well attract higher fees with bidders getting more eager to secure their final links in their squads.
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| Nathan Aké might not be the only player that AFCB sign to play centre-back. |
Personally, I'd like to see an experienced defender come in and Jonny Evans would be my pick. Jason Tindall continues to be questioned by the local press over whether the side is strong enough defensively having seen Elphick and Distin depart, but he and Eddie seem convinced that the side is strong enough if the season started today and that Tyrone Mings could be viewed as a defender that can play at centre-back. That is quite an ask for Tyrone though having not had much of a taste of the Premier League yet so my instinct tells me that there will be a bid for another centre-back in the coming days.
Match Day Gallery has a few pictures from last night's warm up with Valencia.
Eddie seems to be the only one that does not see the defence needs work, hopefully a loan from a top end prem team will follow but just who!! Also think the GK position needs looking at and new deal for Feds is baffling!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely 100% agree. Federici at first team is a very surprising ask... Eddie may be astute, but the fact is we had one of the worst defensive records last season and were lucky that Stanislas and King performed where they did.
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