Steve Cook has his game back

The role of Steve Cook might have been overshadowed a little this season in what Nathan Aké has added to the team, but I think Nathan's arrival at the club has been good for Steve Cook and could help to to be a better player. It has meant that Steve has had to play more on the right side of centre midfield when Bournemouth play four at the back, but of late he has been able to play a very central role when AFCB choose to play with just three men at the back.

Steve Cook has found form this winter.

It's somewhat of a shame that it has taken time for Steve Cook to just feel comfortable in the team again. Clean sheets have been a problem with the Cherries only achieving four this season and Steve has missed out on a few games which he was not used to. He was one of the best players last season and I think we saw him getting back to his best against West Ham. He handled Marko Arnautovic particularly well and had to use his strength as well as get his positioning right to hold the West Ham man at bay.

Advertisement

Broom Hill Garden Buildings

His part in West Ham's goal won't have pleased him. He did miss the first header and Nathan Aké didn't win his header either. So it wasn't all perfect, but Steve certainly got his foot in on several times to stop breaks, and he also played a part in Bournemouth's goal when he slipped a pass to Stansilas, despite being under great pressure at the back.

Steve has also managed to find a goal streak in him again and his goals against Newcastle and Brighton have given him more of a boost to know he is contributing to the team and not just defensively. Despite this good form, I don't think we have seen the best of Steve Cook and Aké yet, and if they can play the rest of the season together we might just see them get better at keeping clean sheets, which should be their number one aim.