Bournemouth have made a wonderful start to the season and few can argue that they have already surpassed all expectations.
Premier League newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford have stolen much of the limelight as far as the performances of the lesser teams are concerned. However, Bournemouth have been one of the most consistent teams in the competition so far.
With five wins out of their first eight games, the Cherries currently sit 6th in the standings, just behind Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Bournemouth finished 12th in the Premier League last season and if these first eight games were anything to go by, the Cherries have shown that they are capable of doing better.
Eddie Howe might be the youngest manager in the Premier League but his team seems unfazed by the reputation of the opposition.
It was quite evident during their display against Everton as the Cherries fought back from being two goals down to salvage a point. They achieved a similar feat against West Ham United in their previous game as they came back from behind and bagged all three points after a strong second-half display.
It all began with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on opening day, when Ryan Fraser combined with Joshua King and Callum Wilson to finish off a perfectly-crafted move that was initiated by him. Wilson capped off a perfect start to the season with a clinical finish in stoppage time.
Although the entire team has performed well, a lion’s share of the credit should go to their industrious front three – Callum Wilson, Joshua King and Ryan Fraser.
A look at the teamsheet would reveal that Fraser starts down the left while King starts down the right. Meanwhile, Wilson is deployed through the centre but the trio has barely shaped up according to the script during the match. And that is exactly why the opposition has had a tough time keeping them at bay.
King (4 goals, 1 assist), Wilson (3 goals, 4 assists) and Fraser (3 goals, 3 assists) have been directly involved in 18 goals in the Premier League so far this season. As a matter of astonishment, they have bettered the stats of Liverpool’s front three, who have only been involved in 12 goals so far.
The front trio’s efforts have been backed up by Nathan Ake at the back while new signing David Brooks has joined the party with goals in back-to-back games against Crystal Palace and Watford. Consequently, Bournemouth have established themselves as a balanced side and a force to reckon with this season.
The Cherries thrashed a 10-man Watford side 4-0 last weekend as Christian Kabasele was sent off after a second bookable offence.
It was King’s marauding run down the right that forced the penalty and the 26-year-old converted from the spot before heading in the third goal just before the halfway mark. Wilson headed in Fraser’s perfectly-weighted cross from the left to rub salt to Watford’s wounds.
Bournemouth were definitely the underdogs against Leicester City as well but Howe’s men took the game by the scruff of the neck and did not allow the Foxes to settle down.
This time, Fraser ran through the centre and scored from a perfectly laid pass by Wilson to put the Cherries in the ascendancy. The exceptional understanding and the dynamic movement amongst the front three caught the eye as Bournemouth racked up four goals.
Undoubtedly, Bournemouth have looked like a formidable unit this season and they have managed to keep pace with the big guns. Although they have shown a lot of promise, they must continue racking up wins on a consistent basis to make it to the next level. They have been consistent so far but maintaining the same level of intensity might be difficult, considering the long and tiring schedule of the Premier League.
But they should aim to do so if they are to qualify for the Europa League next year. The Cherries must keep pace with the likes of Leicester City, Wolves, Watford and Everton.
As evident from the first few games this season, there is going to be a lot of competition for the 6th and 7th places in the standings and Bournemouth are definitely one of the contenders.
Regardless, they will depend heavily on Callum Wilson, Joshua King and Ryan Fraser to power them to a Europa League playoff spot next year.`