It was a great finish to the end of the 2016/17 season for AFCB not only because of their high finish but simply because they were on another unbeaten run that continues next August. There are clubs that have been on longer runs of course but the Cherries are learning about getting through tough period now, when they don't see things going their way and rather than being overly concerned with what the opposition do, there is more emphasis on making sure AFCB play to their strengths and have the possession to cause the opposition problems.
As for going into next season with confidence, I do feel AFCB will be feeling much stronger and ready for the challenge. The home form certainly improved in this second season and I think it is important for clubs to win their home games in front of their fans. You need those foundations and AFCB's closing series of home matches reads very well going back to the home defeats by Chelsea and Man City. The seven points form home and away games in March and the eight points in April basically settled any squabbles over whether AFCB would be in the Premier League next season.
The summer training and pre-season matches will also be important and while a match against QPR has already been added to the programme, it is likely to be another mixed bag of teams in terms of their pedigree that AFCB will be playing and trying to keep the momentum going in during July, before the new season kicks off.
In other news, Ian Harte, speaking exclusively to 888sport
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| AFCB will look to keep the wins coming going into the start of next season, and no doubt with some new signings. |
The ethos that Howe is setting out has been working in the wider consideration of getting the club to find consistency on the pitch. When they do come up against a Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal - like the rest of the league - they know they are going to have periods of the game when they are on the back foot. While the goals have been as high as they were last season against AFCB, I don't see that they have received to many heavy defeats from the big guns. In fact, it was only Everton away that was a real headache for Eddie Howe. The team didn't recover that day from the blistering start that Everton made or should I just say that Romelo Lukaku made? Now and again you come up against individual brilliance and it was AFCB's bad fortune that they caught Everton on a good day for the hosts.
As for going into next season with confidence, I do feel AFCB will be feeling much stronger and ready for the challenge. The home form certainly improved in this second season and I think it is important for clubs to win their home games in front of their fans. You need those foundations and AFCB's closing series of home matches reads very well going back to the home defeats by Chelsea and Man City. The seven points form home and away games in March and the eight points in April basically settled any squabbles over whether AFCB would be in the Premier League next season.
The summer training and pre-season matches will also be important and while a match against QPR has already been added to the programme, it is likely to be another mixed bag of teams in terms of their pedigree that AFCB will be playing and trying to keep the momentum going in during July, before the new season kicks off.
In other news, Ian Harte, speaking exclusively to 888sport
Harte on… Jermain Defoe
Just look at what he’s done this season and the amount of goals that he’s scored. With the style of football Bournemouth play with creative midfielders always looking to pierce the lines and slide the ball in he could be amazing for them. They also have Callum Wilson and Josh King – if he stays now – but Defoe has been there and done it throughout his career. He started out as a young lad at Bournemouth and it would be great to see him back in the shirt.
Read the full 888sport interview with Ian Harte, including his thoughts on Bournemouth’s pursuit of John Terry.
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