Watching Bournemouth play this season has been entertaining as usual, but the time has come for Eddie Howe to find another central-defender who can play with authority and command the team from the back in partnership with Nathan Aké?
Bournemouth have started to see individual mistakes crop up again with Steve Cook, and while I think Cook has been amazing for the club since League One days, he is still making errors and they are costing the team in big matches now and again. But there is a lot more to Steve's game than this.
It shouldn't be a surprise that Eddie Howe has kept faith in Steve Cook. When you look at the Premier League clearances this season, it's Steve Cook that is heading the chart. Steve Cook is also sixth in the headed clearance chart. In other words, Cook has been among the best and busiest defenders this season in the league. But if we look at the record from touches from the back, none of AFCB's defenders are currently in the top 10 pass makers for defenders and when you do find AFCB's defender with the most touches it is Steve Cook at number 17.
This really points towards AFCB needing to bring in a right back, especially with Adam Smith being injured and that would free up Francis to really challenge for Cook's position which should be under threat. If Steve Cook knows he will get away with mistakes and still stay in the starting position then AFCB can expect a few more errors during the season.
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| Despite the odd mistake of late, Steve Cook has been one of AFCB's top performers this season. |
It shouldn't be a surprise that Eddie Howe has kept faith in Steve Cook. When you look at the Premier League clearances this season, it's Steve Cook that is heading the chart. Steve Cook is also sixth in the headed clearance chart. In other words, Cook has been among the best and busiest defenders this season in the league. But if we look at the record from touches from the back, none of AFCB's defenders are currently in the top 10 pass makers for defenders and when you do find AFCB's defender with the most touches it is Steve Cook at number 17.
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Rather than bring in another defender should Howe just give some opportunities to Tyrone Mings or Jack Simpson? If it was thought that the number of games were causing the odd mistake, then I can see the value in giving some of AFCB's other centre-back some games. But Howe is reluctant to disturb his centre-backs and Simon Francis has been pushed back out to the right-back position, seemingly unable to dislodge Steve Cook from the centre-back position. 
This really points towards AFCB needing to bring in a right back, especially with Adam Smith being injured and that would free up Francis to really challenge for Cook's position which should be under threat. If Steve Cook knows he will get away with mistakes and still stay in the starting position then AFCB can expect a few more errors during the season.
Think this is a little strong, I see Cook as a big part of our future, think he's still got growth and progression in him. Yes there's the odd mistake but he does 99% of the game well. Might this must be a kneejerk to the own goal? As he has more touches than Ake he'll make more mistakes that's just the way numbers work
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