Are AFCB right to go for Pope as keeper saviour?

While Bournemouth have had a torrid season in terms of letting in goals, it can't be a big surprise that a new keeper is a high priority for the south coast club. There have been links with Jack Butland, as an England keeper languishing in the Championship, but the fees involved in such a move and with Asmir Begovic perhaps wanting not to make a return to Stoke City, the talk has died down. In its place comes of news that Nick Pope of Burnley could soon be a Cherry, which is perhaps the more cost-efficient choice.

Asmir Begovic looks like he is on his way out of AFCB this summer.

While Pope had a great season at Burnley the season before last, he has been unable to get a game in the last Premier League season and we don't really know what his form is like at the moment. It does kind of nark me that when it comes to picking keepers, AFCB tend to look at options that other clubs are very willing to palm off, if you'll forgive the hand pun.

Burnley are indeed overweighted with Englishman vying for the national keeper's shirt let alone their club No 1 spot, but there are surely more options than just England keepers to pick from. And don't we want a keeper who is in form? Foreign keepers dominate the Premier League and none of the top six clubs have an English keeper. Everton have Jordan Pickford, Watford Ben Foster and of course Burnley have Joe Hart and Tom Heaton, while Palace go Welsh with Wayne Hennessey, but  the days of British keepers being at the top of the game have arguably been surpassed.

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It's not just about keepers who make great saves but keepers that can play out from the back with their feet. I'd argue that Pope is a great shot stopper, but is he a big improvement on what we have playing with his feet - well Boruc perhaps. Mark Travers and Aaron Ramsdale have looked very alert though in goal and does it matter if AFCB's keeper is younger than most? In a team that prides itself on keeping the ball and playing from the back is Nick Pope the right choice for AFCB? I do hope AFCB are not panicking into picking a keeper who has been an international, but is simply a cheap option and happens to be available.

Bournemouth have to step it up against Burnley

The way Burnley are going about their matches they will not be easily put off their task when they come to Dean Court. While they lost their last game to a late minute penalty against Arsenal, AFCB have to be watchful they don't find Burnley taking out all their anger on them.

Burnley are capable of crashing into the top six.

Burnley must be delighted with their start and I don't see it as a fluke. Sean Dyche drills his team and has bought well in the summer. They might not be all household names, but they are a team and that counts for a lot. Some might have felt that the departure of Andre Gray to Watford could see them struggle for goals, but it's been anything but that. Okay, they are not scoring three or four every games, but Burnley are a team that create a good few chances every game and we know that Sam Vokes will be desperate to win his place back n the side for this one against Bournemouth. Sean Dyche has also been impressed with Stephen Ward and will soon see the return of Jonathan Walters - even if not for this game.

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Bournemouth have to find something extra for Dyche's men. Their stock is rising all the time and in Hendrick and Brady they have players that find gaps and create problems so it's not just the strikers that will worry Bournemouth. Furthermore, if Bournemouth do find they can expose the Burnley defence they still have Nick Pope to beat who has been in sensational form.

I think there is something that Eddie will say though to get Bournemouth fully focussed on this game. There are games in the season that you just don't want to lose and AFCB have two of them coming up. If there is a time to peak it is now. Burnley will be walking tall and expecting to put Bournemouth down, but AFCB have to raise their game and battle harder than ever if they are to  come out on top in this one.

A special good luck to Harry Arter tonight if he is selected for his 250th AFCB game. UTCIAD!

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