It's going to be a big night this evening for Lewis Cook as he runs out at Dean Court in an England U21 international against Latvia. Being in front of so many of his Bournemouth supporters will give him a lift, and he'll know that it is a great chance to impress Eddie Howe who has not given him a Premier League start this season yet.
While Lewis Cook has made the step up from the England U20s to the U21s with his debut against the Netherlands last weekend, it is still a team that Lewis will be getting used to playing in and that is a lot to deal with. But Lewis is probably thrilled about the match being at his home club and familiarity with the kind of atmosphere that is created in the stadium should help him.
Looking ahead it may be that Eddie will continue to use Lewis more in the cup games than in the league. Having played the two England U21 matches just a few days apart, Lewis may not participate in the Arsenal game squad. The Brighton Carabro Cup game is more than likely his next target for a starting place, and while that will frustrate some fans who want to see Lewis in the first team as soon as possible, Eddie Howe has a track record of dipping young players in for a few games, at certain points of the season, but then taking them out for a while. Lewis had pushed his claim well towards the end of last season, but I get the impression that Howe doesn't want Lewis to burnout and cup games and U21 matches may be the make-up of Lewis' programme for a little while yet.
It will be interesting to see how good the U21s are for England and whether Lewis Cook can influence the game more at this level than he might when he hopefully plays against Brighton in the Carabro cup later this month. We may get an indication then of whether Lewis is being held back or if he is now ready to play more Premier League games,
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| Lewis Cook will be getting lots of support tonight from AFCB fans in the England crowd. |
Looking ahead it may be that Eddie will continue to use Lewis more in the cup games than in the league. Having played the two England U21 matches just a few days apart, Lewis may not participate in the Arsenal game squad. The Brighton Carabro Cup game is more than likely his next target for a starting place, and while that will frustrate some fans who want to see Lewis in the first team as soon as possible, Eddie Howe has a track record of dipping young players in for a few games, at certain points of the season, but then taking them out for a while. Lewis had pushed his claim well towards the end of last season, but I get the impression that Howe doesn't want Lewis to burnout and cup games and U21 matches may be the make-up of Lewis' programme for a little while yet.
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If Lewis does find his games mainly coming in the cup competitions, I suspect that we can assume Eddie will try and ensure he and the others in cup games get to play in them right up to the latter stages. The squad AFCB has now is good enough to put out two good teams and the league cup is a great competition for the younger players that want the intensity of play against decent sides. 
It will be interesting to see how good the U21s are for England and whether Lewis Cook can influence the game more at this level than he might when he hopefully plays against Brighton in the Carabro cup later this month. We may get an indication then of whether Lewis is being held back or if he is now ready to play more Premier League games,
Its ridiculous he is not a first team regular....record in league..played 3 lost 3....will Arter not play given the same rationale
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