Why wasn't Stanislas used against Burnley?

Junior, surplus to AFCB's needs?

I was baffled why Junior Stanislas wasn't being told to warm up after an hour of the Burnley game. He was just what Bournemouth needed - fresh legs, creativity and a real goal threat. But Howe chose not to play him. Whether he wanted to protect him or didn't feel it was the right match for him, I'm not sure. But when the team lacks creativity, why leave one of the most creative players in the squad on the bench?

I'd like to think that Junior was ready to play. He shouldn't be on the bench unless he is fit and ready. We know how good he is and what he can do, which made it all the more strange that Eddie didn't turn to him. Burnley was an old club of Junior's and he would have bust a gut to do well against them.

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Now we wait and see if Junior will be named as sub again on Boxing Day. Stanislas has had a long layoff due to injury and I suppose their is a fear that introducing him too quickly could be catastrophic for Junior if he were to get injured again. But Junior is a player and I'm sure wants to be out on the pitch - it's what he does.

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Even giving him 20 minutes would have been a positive attacking decision by Howe. Instead we got Callum Wilson's half-time introduction followed by Solanke four minutes from the end of the game. Okay, it was two strikers, but what was Solanke going to do in those four minutes and added time? Eddie's subs have been strange in recent games. Perhaps he needs to look at who he has on the bench more closely and how he can change a game more by giving his subs a chance to make some impact.

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