Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth were promoted to the dizzying Premier League heights at the start of the current season, and were always going to appear the black and red clad underdogs. However, their disastrous run of late can be chalked up to the forfeiting of one such Callum Wilson, the Cherries’ fierce talisman who is presently benched with injury. Although no team should really hinge on a single player, Bournemouth really were reliant upon Wilson, as he was the trump card that managed to grasp the club’s ticket to a better division.
It is certainly a major pain for Bournemouth, knowing that they could be so much more threatening if Wilson, and, frankly, the other team members out plagued with ailments, were fit for pitch duties. However, tipping the scales to sit somewhat more favourably, Howe’s chaps achieved an impressive feat at the weekend, pipping opponents, Chelsea, to the three points by bagging a 1-0 victory. This equates to dire straits indeed for the hosts, with José Mourinho’s position now being in question, and his reputation in further tatters, but also matches up to a rather snug, comfortable plot for Bournemouth’s boss, at least momentarily.
In what was a fairly unfortunate game for Chelsea, Bournemouth’s 1-0 win has seen them step up to 17th place, whilst Mourinho’s side are sitting rather embarrassingly in 14th. The Express Online noted that Chelsea had a case for a penalty that was dismissed, along with other niggling refereeing decisions, which made the game all the more frustrating for last season’s great legends of the Premier League. Glenn Murray’s 82nd minute goal sealed the win for Bournemouth, which has certainly helped to boost the club’s survival chances in the division, whilst Chelsea are plummeting even further from their ultimate aim.
ESPN have mentioned since the weekend’s events that the last time Chelsea faced a similar scenario was back in 2001 versus Charlton Athletic. They, too, were a freshly promoted team but managed to hook a mere goal to tally the three points against the London side. The site also pens how challenging Bournemouth were in terms of formation; Eddie Howe calculated a shapely 4-1-4-1, which posed issues for Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1, whilst poor Eden Hazard was subjected to a dual role that did not suit the fixture for Chelsea.
With this in mind, it is barely any wonder that fans are calling José Mourinho’s employment into question. It is the norm that underperforming managers are to undergo scrutiny; those who fail to keep their teams afloat are often placed into the firing line, with their consequential sacking an imminent risk. In this instance, perhaps that would be fair; Mourinho is one of the most influential managers within the sport – his team simply shouldn’t be this bad. However, defeats and draws aren’t really in his nature, so perhaps it would be an injustice for this dreadful string of form and lack of creativity to see Mourinho lose his job. The players need to take some responsibility too.
Whether or not José Mourinho should retain his managerial role at Chelsea is of no concern for Eddie Howe, though. Although he is another boss who has faced some harsh comments of late, his team were more likely to come up against some rubbishing, simply because they have only just made their place in the Premier League, and can’t be expected to hoist the trophy – not in the same fashion as Chelsea, at least. The unfortunate circumstances Bournemouth have faced – mostly the wealth of injuries – has caused the unravelling of what appeared quite an exciting team, ready to ignite a new generation of non-expectant teams in England’s finest division.
As with their south coast counterparts, Southampton, the Cherries have had some cracking games and scintillating focal points, however sparse in the current climate. The Saints-loaned goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, has made some real blunders so far this season, but has also kept a pair of steady hands on him on other occasions. Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels have been regimented in defence, whilst Sylvain Distin could have made more of an impact based on prior hearsay and statistics. He has, reportedly, also succumbed to an injury that was noted on 4th December (via Physio Room.com). Nevertheless, it does all depend on the availability and health of teammates available to gel with.
Matt Ritchie and Harry Arter are among the midfield list that tend to turn up, whilst Josh King and Max Gradel have been top performers in attacking position. Meanwhile, it was Yann Kermorgant that was the only Cherries player to come remotely near to the currently absent, but wholly miraculous, Callum Wilson on the staggering Bournemouth goal-scoring sheet last season. So despite having a squad full of growing talent, Wilson remains the major blow for Bournemouth, as he was the man who could really push Howe’s fellows forth.
Following the dressing down of Chelsea on home soil no less, Bournemouth now find themselves in 17th of 20 and appear all the sturdier for it. Although the team has been somewhat gutted and decimated due to injuries, there is now that added sprinkling of hope for Bournemouth in the coming weeks. Smart choices during the transfer window could offer further glimmers. This might not spell disaster for the promoted club.
