Lerma and Cook are as good as any midfield pairing

I was especially impressed with Jefferson Lerma's game the other weekend, which was to break up Watford's passing and play the ball simply to the white shirts to start off AFCB moves. He tackles with force and is persistent which was annoying to Watford's players. He is also calm and plays the percentages, not trying to overplay. He has added great strength to the middle of the park and Bournemouth just look a much more solid team with him. Jefferson has done brilliantly since he has come in, and it is particularly good that he has played well when with Gosling, Surman or Lewis Cook. Lewis in his post-match Watford interview almost went as far as saying it is basically a privilege to play with Jefferson, such is the respect. 

Lerma has started better than anyone could have hoped in Bournemouth's midfield.

While there is competition within the team for every spot, I believe Howe always wanted Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma to be the main duo in midfield. Only, he also wanted to ensure that Lewis Cook did not suffer burnout, after playing over the summer and having had his most successful Premier League season. Lewis just has to compliment Lerma and see if he can be as positive in his forward passing as we have seen last season. Lewis will not get a great deal of rest playing for the England U21s, so it is only Eddie Howe who can protect him from playing too many games and by holding him back at the start of the season it may actually be of benefit to Lewis.

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I'm sure that the strength of the central midfield players is one of the reasons why Bournemouth are having a better season. In the past, I've felt that the team has been short of leadership in the middle at times. While Lerma and Cook might not be senior players they are being leaders simply in the way they are playing on the field and not letting opposition teams over power them.

Lewis looks set now to have another big season at AFCB.

The next step for these two players is to see if they can get forward at times to add to the attacks and even slot a few goals in for themselves. Lewis Cook was a regular goal scorer when he played for Leeds United and I think he has it in his game.