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AFC Bournemouth: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Simon Francis of AFC Bournemouth attempts to score a header during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Patrik Lundin/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Simon Francis of AFC Bournemouth attempts to score a header during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Patrik Lundin/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Joshua King (L) and Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth applaud the fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Joshua King (L) and Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth applaud the fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Hope #2: That Callum Wilson is fully healthy.

Last season it was expected that Callum Wilson would lead the scoring charge for the Cherries. Wilson had led the club in goals with 20 in the previous season and was expected to make the leap to being a consistent goal-scorer.But a devastating knee injury in September kept him out for all but 13 matches and really hindered Howe’s side from putting the biscuit into the basket. Bournemouth scored just 45 goals last season and will likely need more if they have any designs on staying in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.

Thus far, the goals really have not come for Wilson and the Cherries. In three matches the club has just two goals one of which came in garbage time against Manchester United in a three goal rout.

Wilson has also struggled a bit, getting a couple of scoring opportunities but not fully capitalizing on the chances. It does take players a bit of a time to come back from knee injuries so perhaps Wilson may still be finding his footing.

What will be interesting to see is how Wilson adjusts to working up top with Joshua King. King came to Bournemouth last season and had some success, scoring 5 goals in 16 appearances. The two should complement each other well with King acting more as a holding forward and hitting Wilson in open space. If Wilson can get match fit then Howe may have a very deadly 1-2 attacking combination.

Next: Slide #3: That they can achieve better results against the top four.

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