The opposition view on key Bournemouth questions

Leading Bournemouth blog Cherry Chimes answers some key CandH questions on the situation down at the Vitality ahead of our game on New Year’s Day
CC: We of course now have David Moyes back – how do you feel that may affect things on Wednesday?
The David Moyes  appointment is not great news for the Cherries. We faced a new manager in Arteta on Boxing Day and got a point out of the game. The bounce factor of a new manager always helps struggling teams so Bournemouth will have to work hard to nullify that. Eddie Howe will concentrate on what we can do though more than thinking about how to stop West Ham. He has enough worries in trying to make us an attacking force again. It is the only way Bournemouth can win the game.

CC: We of course were linked with Eddie Howe for a long time as the heat descended on Pellegrini – that’s over of course but what degree of fear is there among the fans that he will be head hunted from elsewhere?

CC: Bournemouth fans haven’t been too worried about Eddie Howe leaving.He has enough trouble on his own doorstep at the moment with an under-performing team. West Ham, has been a very troubled club for many years and I’m not sure they would have fancied that much aggravation. They are well backed by the owner and chairman at AFC Bournemouth and the fans adore them. It’s going to need something special for them to cut ties with Bournemouth and they wouldn’t leave of their own accord when the team is struggling, as it is now.
CandH: It’s been quite a decline in form – what are the issues?
CC: Injuries, injuries and more injuries! We usually have about seven to nine of the first team players out at any one time, which has not been helpful. Players playing out of position and an unsettled defence is a big problem, while the goals have dried up for Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Josh King. Just to rub it in Lys Mousset is on fire for Sheffield Utd! It might be said that Dominic Solanke has also been slow to shine. No goals in 16 appearances. It says it all when our best player has probably been Aaron Ramsdale, our goalkeeper.
Is there a feeling among the fans that – like ours – a change of management may be a good idea
CC: There may be some who have always thought Eddie has done as well as he possibly could at Bournemouth. But the vast majority would be happy to keep Eddie Howe for as long as possible even if we were in League Two. After all he’s one of us and the greatest manager we have ever had. Swapping him for the unknown doesn’t bear thinking about for most of us. He has 18 months left on his contract and we want to see us not only retain our Premier League status under Howe but perhaps get to a cup semi-final or final, build a new stadium and even be in with a shout of a European place. That all seems a long way a way at the moment, but Eddie Howe hasn’t been lucky with the injuries and he feels that he has the best squad he has ever had at Bournemouth. We just need a season when everyone remains fit.
CandH: What are the injury worries for Wednesday?
CC: Where shall I start? Out are: Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Harry Wilson (having dead leg – treatment at Liverpool), Arnaut Danjuma (foot), Steve Cook (fractured wrist), Adam Smith (ankle), Nathan Aké (hamstring), David Brooks (ankle), Charlie Daniels (Dislocated knee – out for the season). One of these players could be back and available Eddie said in his press conference for the Arsenal game. Callum Wilson has only just come back from a hamstring strain and Josh King has only been back a couple of games since his hamstring strain.
 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon