Life in the Premier League
As most pundits expected, the Cherries made an off start and problems seemed to mount with both their summer signings sustaining season-ending injuries.
Untethered, Howe stuck to his style of play, never altering to a more defensive and lower possession game. The confidence he placed in his players and the system resonated through his squad with players stepping up their games to come up with some key victories. Striker Wilson was on a brilliant run, scoring 5 in his first 2 months in the league.
In him they had a reliable source of goals, they had a player who promised goals and was clinical. The ghost of 2008 struck them again as Wilson sustained an injury that would end his season. Devoid of their star striker and new signings, the Cherries looked to be heading back to the championship.
“Together, anything is possible”, the motto of the club. The manager, players, fans live by it and the feeling of togetherness is persistent in and around the club. In Howe, they possessed a man who had the ability to bring out the best from every player.
Results gradually improved and they went on mini-undefeated runs. Their most noteworthy run coming in December, with back to back victories against Chelsea and Manchester united.
Turning Point
If one had to point to a single game as their turning point, it would be the 3-3 home draw against Everton. Going into half-time trailing by 2, they came out all guns blazing to level the matters. A 95th minute Ross Barkley goal looked to have sealed off the points for the Toffees and condemn Bournemouth to another home defeat.
The match, 98 minutes in, was allowed to carry on by the ref, and it was enough time for one more attack. Junior Stanislas headed in from a Charlie Daniels cross and sparked title-winning like celebrations among the fans. The Cherries never looked back from then and had reached 38 points before the start of April.
They were well and clear of the drop zone and assured of another year of football in the top flight.
Fatigue from a first season of high octane football coupled with knowledge of safety fizzled out their momentum and they went into a slew of defeats. They collected only 4 points from the last 8 games. Defensive weakness was very evident, it is an issue Howe will have to solve over the summer if he wants to achieve a top table finish the next season.
With Maxim Denim at the helm, they have an owner who has the financial muscle to back the club. And the new TV deal kicking in from next season, some key transfers look very possible.
The current crop of talented, hard-working players and a manager, whose age has no relation to his footballing acumen; the Cherries will continue dreaming and hope to add more chapters to their fabled rise.
The Leicester Story maybe one of a kind and might never happen again, but what their success has taught is that one can always dream and dreams do come true
