The reappearance of Junior Stanislas is giving Eddie Howe reason to smile, despite the difficult position that the team is in. It was no risk for Howe to put Junior straight back into the side. He knows that there are few better deliverers of the ball than Junior in his squad and he is keen to give him the game time after being out for so long.
Stanislas has not really never had a full season though at AFCB and it will be interesting to see how many games he can get this season. I do see him as Bournemouth's top winger, he just hasn't had the game time to prove it. He does come alive in the final third of the pitch and he times his run better than most when the ball is on the opposite wing, arriving late to get space. We saw that he almost caused enough panic in Everton's midfield to help King and Defoe nearly get a second goal when he won the ball on the half way line, before Defoe finally had his effort saved by Pickford.
Whether Eddie also sees a need to rest Arter and Surman more this season is something that will play out over the season. With Surman already missing a game and Arter now having his Achilies problem to contend to and missing the Everton match, the central midfield area looks more vulnerable to change and Dan Gosling has been the immediate beneficiary of this. But Lewis Cook and Emerson Hyndman still appear to be on the edge of Howe's thoughts which is surprising considering the start that the team has made.
Ask Fans Report - Everton 2 v 1 AFCB
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| AFCB are attacking with more intensity, but they have to shut the door better at the other end. |
I can't blame Howe for that either, as in previous seasons it has been Junior that has been the inspiration for many of Bournemouth's sudden improvements in form when they have needed it. Junior is regarded as key, because he offers balance in his ability to push the side forward and break with speed. The pace in the team needs to be kept high for the way Howe wants to play and with Fraser and Pugh having done a lot of work already, it comes as a bonus to be able to freshen things up a bit with Junior now ready to come in.
Stanislas has not really never had a full season though at AFCB and it will be interesting to see how many games he can get this season. I do see him as Bournemouth's top winger, he just hasn't had the game time to prove it. He does come alive in the final third of the pitch and he times his run better than most when the ball is on the opposite wing, arriving late to get space. We saw that he almost caused enough panic in Everton's midfield to help King and Defoe nearly get a second goal when he won the ball on the half way line, before Defoe finally had his effort saved by Pickford.
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If Stanislas himself can start scoring, AFCB will be in a much better place. It is asking a lot for him to hit top form straight off, but Howe needs all his best players hitting form as soon as they can if they are to climb away from the bottom positions.
Whether Eddie also sees a need to rest Arter and Surman more this season is something that will play out over the season. With Surman already missing a game and Arter now having his Achilies problem to contend to and missing the Everton match, the central midfield area looks more vulnerable to change and Dan Gosling has been the immediate beneficiary of this. But Lewis Cook and Emerson Hyndman still appear to be on the edge of Howe's thoughts which is surprising considering the start that the team has made.
Ask Fans Report - Everton 2 v 1 AFCB
Last season when Junior was out, we had no authoritative penalty kicker. It showed. This season, we aren't forcing penalties like we did. Fraser used to get load, but they've seemed to figure that out. Let's hope we start getting penalty kicks and have Junior on to take them.
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