What's behind Kenwyne Jones' AFCB loan move?

The Bournemouth Echo is among those sources of media that have been reporting that Kenwyne Jones is on his way to AFCB on loan until the end of the season. My first thought was to rub my eyes and make sure what I was reading was true. Then I started to think the injuries to Callum Wilson may be taking its toll on him and Eddie Howe may have been forced into making a signing if he did not think Callum Wilson was going to be available for the next few games.

The news comes on the back of what is likely to be a failed attempt to entice Arsenal's England U20 striker Chuba Akom to the south coast. It is clear though that AFCB have decided that the final run of games needs more fire power it they are to succeed in their ambition to get promoted. Fans had been wondering if the failure to sign any striker in January would diminish the Cherries' chances of finishing in the top two but with seven games remaining they remain in pole position.

As for Kenwyne Jones, he has not had that bad a season as he is Cardiff City's top scorer on 13 goals, 11 of which were in the league. For AFCB though this is a big named signing and for Kenwyne it is really a trial to see if he can take the Cherries up and so secure a place in a Premier League team next season. He must have impressed during the recent game with Cardiff where AFCB were disappointed not to come away with a win. But with Kenwyne in AFCB's team they could be heading up in style - if you know what I mean.

AFCB have certainly been making noises around the forward front this week with reports of Rickie Lambert also being perhaps a summer target if the Cherries can secure Premier League status. Carlton Cole who AFCB were looking at last summer looks keen on a move to Brentford rather than the Cherries.

While not everything is moving in one direction, Mohamed Coulibaly, who was sponsored by Cherry Chimes last season looks set to join Port Vale on loan.

Ritchie, Russell, Gradel transfer triangle

The task of picking up a new striker to bolster AFCB's squad has taken a new dimension after Derby County have registered an interest in Matt Ritchie. Whether Eddie Howe is so keen on Johnny Russell to allow Matt Ritchie to leave the club the other way is clearly something that AFCB would not have suggested, but the Cherries' pursuit of additional forwards has only seen Callum Wilson come to the club over the summer. Meanwhile, Junior Stanislas has rivalled Matt Ritchie for a starting place and no doubt Steve McClaren has noted this and wants to see if he can prise one of the Cherries star players away.

Matt Ritchie - a deadline day target for Derby County.

The ball is now in AFCB's court and I expect them to turn down Derby's request politely. While Johnny Russell may be a player that would add power to the forward line I don't see Eddie Howe wanting to reduce the number of wingers he has any further. The mixture of Ritchie, Stanislas, Pugh and Fraser has marked Bournemouth out as a team that is very expressive on the wings and with wing backs that cause plenty of problems in attack. 

With Carlton Cole having been Howe's first target, it may be that Johnny Russell is one of several other strikers that AFCB have been looking at. Two bids have failed though for Russell and McClaren has really tested the water to see how keen AFCB really are to secure his services. Eddie Howe has stated the he is keen to keep the squad together, but if there is another winger he knows he can bring in to replace Ritchie (like Max-Alain Gradel of St Etienne - who has been linked with AFCB over the summer), the switch could just be on. It is not a player swap that I think many AFCB fans would be pleased about though, as Ritchie has been a great signing since his move from Swindon Town. 

The transfer deadline ends at 11pm tonight so start biting those nails! UTCIAD!

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Carlton Cole: would he have been a hit on the south coast?

I have been watching all the talk about Carlton Cole possibly coming to AFCB having started talks yesterday on a possible move from West Ham. While the striker has had a mixed career at the Hammers he has played many top flight games and he would be a big addition to a team like the Cherries who need that extra killer instinct at times during tight Championship games. One Hammer's blog though was saying that the deal was off last night and that was endorsed by TalkSport.

While I can see why Eddie Howe would be interested in having Carlton Cole leading the line for the Cherries. AT 6ft 3in he is a bit of a different striker to what AFCB already have. Some movement of other players would ave been required, if Callum Wilson was seen as the player who can be released from the hold up play of Cole. Eddie Howe would have had to look to play Yann Kermorgant in the number 10 position if he were to keep three strikers on the field in a starting line up. The heading ability of Cole would be something that could bring many more goals for AFCB and with the extra striker Eddie Howe would have many  more options for different opponents. The asking fee seemed to be £1m and I don't think that was a bad price for a striker with Cole's experience, but if it is not to happen the Cherries are still showing that they have the ability to move for players quickly when they fit the profile that Howe wants.    

The question I wondered was whether Carlton Cole had the ambition and fight for the Championship and could he start scoring straight away anyway? He had scored seven times in 28 appearances for the Hammers last year and probably believes he is good enough to merit a move to another Premier League club. This would have been a big name signing for AFCB, but whether Cole or Sam Allardyce changed their mind it looks like the move has broken down.

What we can say is that it seems that Eddie Howe feels that the team has to have more fire power in front of goal if it is to make the step up to the next tier and there are a few days left in the transfer window if he still wants to sign another striker.