The first month of Bournemouth’s dazzling start to Premier League fame saw them rush from the new kids on the block to genuine underdogs. However, they were rapidly brought down many pegs after suffering probably the most horrific of all blows for such an unevenly distributed team: one major injury. Although some lesser-developed players among the Bournemouth faithful have been in and out of matches with niggling injuries, Callum Wilson, arguably the team’s talisman and biggest force to reckon with, was ruled drastically out of play not too long after the club’s division debut. Since then, things have been tentative for the Cherries, with some alarming losses, but some decent coups during unexpectedly favourable matches, too.
Howe Now: Bournemouth’s Transfer Deals
In a bid for humble boss, Eddie Howe, to properly restructure his team and get back onto a better, steadier path in the Premier League, the January transfer window has had to be a bit more tactical and calculating for this south coast side. However, previous Cherries man, Lewis Grabban, is back to woo fans and, with any luck, save them from the perils of tough forthcoming fixtures.
Grabban has been with Norwich City for 18 months, but could well be the answer to Howe’s prayers; AFC Bournemouth’s website is awash with news about the returning striker, gushing about his 35-goal tally in the seasons he played for the black and red stripes. Indeed, this isn’t quite the mega-figure that propelled lone attacking wolf, Wilson, and his fellow teammates into the more prestigious English league, but Grabban might well be the sort of player who can rekindle Bournemouth’s potential. Furthermore, some 22 goals of the overall 35 were netted in Grabban’s final season for the club, so he could rival Wilson, and, in fact, supersede him if he can get to training quick smart.
The 2013/14 Player of the Year for Bournemouth could be the exact formula required to gel with the rest of the team, and build a barrier between the fairly regimented midfield to the somewhat shaky front line. The 26-year-old has played well for the Canaries, with even some instrumental manoeuvres, but it’s time that he gets comfortable back in the fold that he once was placed within. Eddie Howe has already expressed how beneficial it will be to welcome back a player already in tune with Bournemouth’s strategies and style of play.
This is not the first of the club’s transfer deals, though; the official Premier League website confirms that Benik Afobe has been procured from Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst Juan Iturbe has joined from Roma as a loanee. Both men will act as extra ammunition upfront, and could well combine with Grabban to construct a totally formidable attacking line-up for Bournemouth.
The calibre of each of these players tallied together should equate to quite the unstoppable trio, but it is definitely Lewis Grabban that could make the most impact for Bournemouth. He not only has a wealth of experience in being deployed for the club, but his 22 goals in one league season statistic pinpoints how easily he could fill Callum Wilson’s void, and begin to knock the socks of many fans and pundits off entirely.
