Junior Stanislas makes a claim for more right-back starts

It was a big surprise to see Junior Stanislas go over to take up the right-back position against Watford, but who else did Howe have? It has been Ryan Fraser that has filled in on past occasions when Bournemouth had injuries at right-back, but Howe has promised Fraser that this is not using the best of his talents, and that he would refrain from playing him there again.

Junior didn't hesitate to get forward.

So it was no doubt a straight choice between Stanislas and Jordan Ibe as to whom Howe would play there against Watford. The form of Stanislas has kept him ahead of Ibe as a winger, but Ibe has done well previously as a wing-back, so it was quite an eye-opener to see what Junior could do against Watford in an unfamiliar position.

I don't think Stanislas was responsible for any of the three goals that went in against Bournemouth, and he grew well into the game by shepherding the ball out of play very well on several occasions. He also managed not to get caught up in playing any Watford attacker onside, and I thought he did extremely well considering he could have been targeted by Watford playing out of position with the likes of Pererya to cope with.

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The need for a fill in right-back is now a pressing concern. If the market does not provide a player of sufficient talent and the right kind of wage bill then it may be that Stanislas has to get used to playing at the back. Needs must and Eddie Howe is surely very grateful that Stanislas managed to do the job so adeptly on this occasion.

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