Fraser and Wilson strike force to be kept together?

While Ryan Fraser has left Bournemouth already and had been expected to join Crystal Palace, the Sun has rumoured that Fraser might yet be picked up by West Ham, who are also looking to land Callum Wilson. The thought of repairing Fraser and Wilson is clearly seen as a positive for West Ham, but whether they could get Callum Wilson for the Sun's suggested £18m might be short of the mark.

Callum Wilson is expected to have different team-mates
soon but Fraser might be among his new colleagues.

Callum Wilson is expected to leave the Cherries and going to a London club would not mean such a major disruption for him and his family. West Ham are a good sized club and he would still be well seen if he played well there, which would help him in the England fold. He probably wouldn't mind joining up with Ryan Fraser again either.

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Whether the two players would hit it off though at West Ham, I am not so sure. Things worked well in 2018-19 but they had gone stale for a while at Bournemouth with the two players unable to create as many chances last season. I know that Fraser was clearly influenced by transfer talk, but I also think that both he and Callum played a fair few games and that burnout could also have been part of their problem.

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Getting the right price for Callum is what it is about for AFCB now. If Tottenham are said to be interested then I'd venture that Wilson would want to hold out for their offer and I don't suspect for Bournemouth it matters where he ends up, as long as they get a good fee for him. The Newcastle player and cash offer was intriguing but Bournemouth don't seem to be buying that one. 

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If the club can get over £20m for Callum then at least they would have recouped more than they shelled out for Dominic Solanke. While Callum hasn't played for England for a while, Bournemouth could perhaps force his price up to £25m as an international player. It's not going to be anything like the sums we had been talking about for Wilson about 12 months ago, but it is time to get the players that are looking to move out of the club and to concentrate on those that want to be there. 

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth defender may find Burnley hard to resist

Adios Ryan

Well, we knew it was coming. Ryan Fraser has no need to be at AFCB anymore having turned down a short term contract extension beyond 30 June. Some will be disappointed in the Wee-man, but I am just pleased the whole thing is over and the club can move on.

Here's the door Ryan

It seems that Ryan just couldn't risk playing any more and didn't want to pick up an injury ahead of a big summer move. Although AFCB fought hard to retain his services, I don't think  there was any way Ryan was signing anything after January this year, and his departure will now give the group more focus, so I'm happy with the outcome.

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Keeping Fraser hanging around just wouldn't have been fair to anyone. He will have good memories of his time at AFCB, and I'd rather remember him for what he did in season's gone past than this final season. It will be intriguing to see where he finally ends up, and if he manages to get regular starting places elsewhere. His form will also need to pick up and we will see if that is like turning a switch on or if he has lost some of his magic.

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Although some pundits may see AFCB being weaker for Fraser's departure, it has been clear for a while now that his football hasn't been at the level we have seen in the past. His time at AFCB was really over a while ago, and with him moving on Eddie Howe will have a good idea about what he will do on the left side of attack already, even if we have to wait until Saturday to see what he does.

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It was interesting to read some of the comments on the Echo's post on Ryan's departure. It looks like a lot of fans are happy to open the door for Ryan, but others are thankful for the great games he played in. I think he will split opinions, but I believe he represented an important period in Eddie Howe and AFCB's development, when a £400,000 player from Aberdeen was coached to become a full international in the Scottish side. We didn't have many international players at the time, and Ryan worked hard to get to that standard, but he has had to wait perhaps a little longer to get that big move afterwards.

While we have our views as fans, it is the players that will feel the departure of Ryan Fraser more than anyone and that is what Eddie Howe has to deal with.

Premier Talk – Football is back - Aston Villa v Sheffield United

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Fancy attaching football in your armchair for another 12 months?

Could AFCB favourite make a return to Dean Court?

I was surprised on Saturday night to hear that Marc Pugh had been let go by QPR. But such are the financial pressures on Championship sides now that a 33 year-old, about to trigger an automatic 12-month extension by playing one more game, has been set free by the London club, who still hope for a play-off push. With Marc Hugh no doubt returning to his Bournemouth home, it is a great opportunity to go and get this model professional and offer him a player/coaching job at AFCB.

Go get Marc Pugh

Marc Pugh had been one of the standout performers for AFCB in their rise to the top and to see him cast aside doesn't leave me with a good feeling. He knows exactly what it took to get AFCB climbing the football pyramid, and his enthusiasm for the game, and his dedication to give of his best is just the kind of person who Eddie Howe should love to have around the club as it battles to stay in the Premier League.

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If Eddie Howe also wants to see Ryan Fraser extend his contract into July, he may also have a secret weapon in Marc Pugh, who is said to be very close to Fraser. But even if Marc doesn't have any influence over the Wee-man's thinking, it would just be great to have him around the club in the next few years to inspire and perhaps be an ambassador for the club.

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I am not sure if Pugh still feels he has a few more years left in his legs, but if he did and the Cherries did go down then again he would be a no brainer to have back in the squad. But I think he may want to do something away from football and AFCB. He has had good loan spells at Hull City and QPR, but he has nothing to prove anymore, Still he would be a valuable asset for any club who wants a good pro to help others get the most out of their careers.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can Danjuma make a difference?

Can Danjuma make a difference?

It hasn't been much of a season for Arnaut Danjuma. His foot injury has kept him out fa lot of games and he has made just nine appearances. The winger must have come to AFCB with high hopes of setting the Premier League alight, but he has done far more watching than playing. Perhaps his chance is just about to come though. Can he make a difference?

Is this Danjuma's big moment?

While Ryan Fraser has been the pick for the left wing, there is going to be an opportunity for someone else to play, if not straight away, then certainly when June ends and Ryan Fraser's contract runs out. If David Brooks and Harry Wilson are the main contenders for the right wing, then Danjuma may get a free run at the left side, unless Stanislas or King fancy the role.

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But is Danjuma capable of being a match winner? We haven't seen him do it yet and in fact he hasn't yet scored, apart from in the Carabao Cup and a friendly, but he is quick of foot and perhaps just starting to get an idea of what it is like to play Premier League football. The behind closed door games may also be of benefit from him, if he feels less pressure on him from the absence of a crowd.

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Whatever Danjuma expected for his first season at AFCB, he can only be eager to get back to playing. He might not have the experience to make Eddie put him straight into the starting line up, but sometimes you have to throw players in and see if they will sink or swim. This could be that moment for Danjuma, and if he did put in some great performances, he could be the sudden surprise hero of the season for AFCB, and he could do it with the fans only shouting his name across social media, rather than at the ground.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Games could be more possession based thinks Howe

Fraser's want away attitude could backfire on Cherries

There is no secret that Ryan Fraser wants away this season. He is a highly regarded asset for clubs at the top of the Premier League, who are seeking home grown players, especially on free transfers for playing in European competitions. I can't blame Fraser for wanting to further his career, but the latest reports from the national media suggest that he is willing to turndown a short contract extension to the end of the season at AFCB, to ensure he can leave town after 30 June just two matches into Project Restart.

Fraser might be standing out alone in the next few weeks.

Fraser has clearly got some issues with AFCB, if he is not willing to help the club stay up. If he joined Spurs he could even line up against AFCB in the next few weeks, although I am not sure if he would get a great reception at Dean Court. The whole transfer episode has been like daggers and swords, and for a lad who has been so likeable at AFCB, it is a sad way that the club and the player will part company. Having said that, today it is players who hold all the cards and there is no need for any player to show loyalty beyond his current contract, if they don't want to continue their career at the same club.

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Bournemouth will surely not play Fraser at all now in June and his disappearance from the squad will simply enable a chance for one of the other wingers to come in. While Howe could play Harry Wilson and David Brooks, it will be intriguing to see who plays where and who he considers, best left on the bench with Danjuma and Stanislas further contenders.

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It is probably best that AFCB draw a line under the Fraser era now. If he can't play beyond 30 June, there is little point in giving him the satisfaction of depriving another player of their place, when they want to play for the club. I just hope that the saga doesn't continue to create any sourness. The squad that really has to focus on forthcoming games and winning matches.

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In other news, Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman and Artur Boruc are set to sign short term contracts past 30 June 2020.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Rico holds cards close to his chest

Have AFCB got the goal power needed to stay up?

While all the clubs in the bottom six have a nervous wait in these final two weeks of preparation, there is one thing that will keep these clubs above the relegation zone and its goals. Looking at AFCB we have to ask ourselves are Josh King and Callum Wilson good enough to get the goals needed and, if they are not, is there enough on the bench and throughout the team to get the job done?

Can Callum and Josh hit the target?

It will be essential that Eddie Howe has all his players, but particularly those who have already been linked on moves away from the club this summer, focussed on the job at hand. For Callum Wilson and Josh King that means goals and goal creation. While the pair have managed 12 goals between them, they may need to almost do that again to see the Cherries safe in the remaining nine games. Injury will be an obvious worry. Callum Wilson has had a good season with 28 appearances, but Josh King has only managed 19 appearances. In fact, Dominic Solanke has made more appearances than King on 24, even if his time on the pitch has been shorter.

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If the two main strikers are not scoring though, AFCB will have to fall back on Dominic Solanke and Sam Surridge. While I think Surridge will become AFCB's main striker next season, if they do go down, I am not sure that Surridge and Solanke are yet anywhere near the goal potency of King and Callum. So the attacking area is not one where Howe needs any injuries.

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It is rare that both King and Callum Wilson score in games together, but the Cherries really need that now. It is often one or the other that hits form. Penalties will no doubt be taken by Josh, even if Callum wants to be the top scorer. I like to see a bit of competition between the strikers, but Josh has a lot to do having only scored four times this season. All I want the players to be talking about is scoring goals when they come off the training pitch. If they get it in their heads that goals will keep them up and that they have to take every chance to strike on goal, when the opportunity arises, then our attackers will be doing their best to keep AFCB up.

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Have Bournemouth got enough goals in the side to keep them up? I think they have, but they will need contributions from outside the two main strikers to keep them in the hunt, and that means Howe will be looking closely at the form of Fraser, Harry Wilson, Danjuma and Stanislas.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Some strange things we'll have to get used to for Project Restart

David Brooks would be the highlight of a Premier League resumption

I am biased of course. But Bournemouth fans have been deprived of the services and skills of David Brooks for far too long, and if the league did restart this summer ,and even if Bournemouth were relegated, I would be one of perhaps a fair few fans hat will have at least been pleased to see our Welsh winger hopefully back in action - and of course, even seeing him may only be possible on an online stream.

This is the man we should be pleased to see return.

We have not seen David Brooks since the pre-season friendly with Brentford at Griffin Park on 27 July 2019. it is almost a year and I wonder just how many goals David would have scored in that time, if he had been available. He has had a worthy deputy in Harry Wilson, but there is something majestic about David Brooks playing and AFCB fans need to see him develop.

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The goals are a valuable part of his game, but it is the link up play that I think AFCB have missed the most. He can ride tackles and get a final pass away, and with players with skills like for AFCB are a rare breed. Fraser has seen that part of his game dry up and Stanislas and Danjuma have not made  many more appearances than Brooks. It is David that Eddie Howe hopefully needs back to make a difference to the team.

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While I am not overly confident that AFCB will avoid relegation, wth David Brooks on top form they do have a better chance of survival. If Brooks can just show that he is the intelligent player that we have seen in his first season at AFCB, Bournemouth will see that they have more attacking verve in the last third. I don't want to put pressure on Brooks and I think Eddie Howe will also play down his return to some extent, but the manager will know more than most that, a top-firing David Brooks will light up the Premier League, and that will improve Bournemouth's hopes of staying there.

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While some fans still seem more in wonder about where Ryan Fraser is going this summer. They need to look forward now, and if Fraser is not the future, the club has to make sure that David Brooks is.

Previous posts on Cherry Chimes - Plea for no relegation is growing

Who will be AFCB's goal saviour?

The task of saving Bournemouth from relegation will fall heavily on all the players, but the biggest pressure will surely be on the strikers. They are the players that will need to score the goals to win games, and this time there is no second chance. Bournemouth either have the goal scorers or they will fall short.

Callum - this can be is moment.

The team will automatically look towards Callum Wilson as the main man. He has perhaps had one of his weaker seasons in the Premier League, but he is capable of getting on a goal run, and AFCB will need him to do just that when the games resume. Callum has been focussed when Bournemouth have been up against the odds in the past, but if he gets the goals to stave off relegation his value will rise significantly. I believe he has the ability to rise to the occasion, and if the team need anyone to be at the very top of their game when they do come back, it is Callum.

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While Callum will want to take responsibility for much of the goal scoring, Bournemouth will also rely heavily on Josh King and Ryan Fraser. The Cherries have not seen as many penalties as they might this season, but King needs to be practicing like mad not at slotting away those 12m shots. At least he can do that with a set of goal posts in isolation. Repetition is capable of making an task easier, and King like Fraser will want to get familiar with hitting the back of the net. It is worrying that Fraser has only felt that scoring thrill once this season, but he could leave AFCB having known he was part of the reason why they staved off relegation this season. It's going to be hard for Fraser just to snap into form, but he has this time to focus on the task and regain his belief.

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While we could see goals from Harry Wilson as well helping the team, it may be down to David Brooks to really be the secret weapon in the remaining games. While Brooks has hit great heights in the Premier League, he is still probably one of the players in our team that has had the least games against other Premier League opposition, 30 in all. Some teams won't have worked him out totally yet, and that could give him the advantage over others to get those all important goals.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Will AFCB feel pressured to train soon with other teams already starting?

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Has Fraser blown his Bournemouth legacy?

The Wee-man has been a popular figure around Dean Court over the last five or six years and his football has always done the taking for him. While he hasn't always been first choice on the left wing, he has made the position his own having rivalled Mark Pugh for many years. Now that his contract is coming to an end, how do we feel about the Scotsman who came to Bournemouth as a boy and will leave as a talented football star?

Is Ryan Fraser as popular as ever?

I imagine Bournemouth fans' views on Wee-man may have changed a little in the last 12-months to what they were before that time. The 'I want away' calls are never flattering and Fraser admits himself that he found it hard to put heart and sole into his game when he didn't get his move last summer. For many that will be water under the bridge as they have delighted in seeing this winger run the line and provide great crosses for Callum Wilson and Josh King.

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The Wee-man has also been a goalscorer although he has lost his way on that front this season. What would it take for the Wee-man to have a big send off? He needs a big end to the season with goals and assists aplenty. I kind of think we are coming to an end of an era with Fraser about to leave the club, but I am sure he does not want his legacy to include the club being relegated.

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Fraser has been nothing if not honest all his footballing career. It has been a pleasure to cheer him on at Dean Court since the Championship years and I still believe he has one of the best reputations at the club as a trier, and for Bournemouth fans that's really all we want to see.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Harry Wilson has been fabulous for Bournemouth

Many AFCB player contracts are up in June

We are in unprecedented times and with the Premier League looking to extend the season indefinitely it does pose the question, what are clubs going to do about players that are out of contract come 30 June 2020? AFCB have their own list of players in this situation which the Bournemouth Echo lists as; Artur Boruc, Simon Francis, Ryan Fraser, Charlie Daniels, Jordan Ibe and Andrew Surman. I'd also imagine that Harry Wilson's loan deal would also come to an end, so the return of David Brooks will be essential and for him to get up to match fitness quickly.

Ryan Fraser might not be the only player likely to leave this summer.

It is possible that not all of these players will be retained by the club, but I'll be surprised if the club does not want to hold on to Simon Francis, Artur Boruc and Ryan Fraser for the last nine games of the season. Whether that means signing a special COVID-19 extension contract for remaining games or sorting out complete new contracts will be between the club an the players, but they'll need to sort something out and the players will want a wage, which they won't have if they are out of contract.

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Simon Francis has been very open in saying he is not pressing for answers at the moment, and for players in the lower leagues it must be much more difficult as they are not on the same kind of salaries. But it is a problem that will become more obvious in the coming weeks as players need to find new clubs to support their families and to pay their mortgages in the long-term, even if the government might be able to support 80 per cent of wages.

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This season is already unique and it is only going to get stranger I would think. The players and clubs are in limbo at the moment and I don't think anyone can plan ahead. It is a day-to-day existence, and while it is ideal for the authorities to say we will finish the season, there are a lot of issues to sort out to make that a reality.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - We know football is a luxury to watch

Callum Wilson can save his and Bournemouth's season

Callum Wilson is Bournemouth's best hope of finding the goals to keep the club up in my opinion. He has not had the best of seasons yet even now on seven league goals, he tops the goal chart with Harry Wilson and it is his third highest goal scoring season in the Premier League.

Callum Wilson still has more goals in him.

I always feel that Callum is having to prove himself after every injury and every comeback he makes. It has been clear that he hasn't lost his speed and still gets shots on target when given the service he needs. That service has been poor this season and Callum has suffered as a result.

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Against Sheffield United, he only really got one chance to score and he took it. You can't ask much more of a striker than that if the team is not creating opportunities. When Ryan Fraser came close to scoring it was also Callum who made the pass to get him in with a shot on goal.

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What I do find hard to recognise is why Callum Wilson hasn't managed to really hit it off with any other stroker in a strike partnership. Josh King is probably his best partner, but they are not prolific and perhaps the days of great Premier League striker partnerships are over.

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Callum has played 25 games this season and he scored 14 goals last season from 30 games. It is possible that he could yet go on a good run of goals and get near to the figure of 14. His overall record in the Premier League is 116 appearances and 40 goals with 11 assists. It's a ratio that is better than a goal every three games, so I'm confident that Callum can get to double figures this season. He will certainly need to hit double figures to give Bournemouth the goals they will need to beat the drop.

Poor defending cost Bournemouth against Sheffield Utd

Whatever we say about Bournemouth's game against Sheffield United, you can't get away from the fact that the team basically gave the game away with their inept defending. I think that is what upset Eddie Howe more than anything else. It wasn't amazing play that undid the defence for the two goals, but it was a failure to clear and not being alert that cost the Cherries three points.

Bournemouth simply can't afford to gift the goals they are giving away

To be fair the goals had been coming. The pressure that Bournemouth came under for the first goal was unrelenting before half-time. I couldn't see how the goal was leading such a charmed life. But Aaron Ramsdale gave me hope that he could perhaps keep Sheffield United at bay. But he didn't punch well, in the lead up to the first goal and the ball was not cleared. It only needed an instinctive finisher to put the ball in the net, and Billy Sharp was well enough positioned for that.

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The timing of Sheffield United's first goal was a crushing blow. You could see the players look physically drained by the goal and the half-time talk would have been so much different of they team had held out. The second half began just as the first ended. There were a couple of half chances for Nathan Aké, and of course Ryan Fraser, but Bournemouth didn't look like getting ahead again, and while the team came under greater pressure again, nothing seemed to change.

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The team could have played out for a draw and Sheffield United fans though there was time-wasting going on, even when Bournemouth were 0-1 up in the first half. But the players didn't even think clearly in the last 10 minutes. It is pretty much always the most important minutes of a game, and whether they were tiered or just not paying attention, it was rightly described by some as atrocious the way the defence didn't get anywhere near closing down play as Lundstrum had an easy finish.

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Bournemouth are still creating their own problems and they'll need to start defending properly, if they are to make a better fist of staying up.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes -  Sheffield United put Bournemouth back in the mire