Read on Twitter
A thread on the evolution of the squads that Eddie Howe managed at Bournemouth (1/n)
Howe picked the reigns back up in October 2012, with plenty of familiar names having joined before (Charlie Daniels) or youngsters being trusted with a large number of minutes (Harry Arter, Steve Cook)
Bournemouth finished second, scoring a league-high 76 goals. To the Champ!
Bournemouth finished second, scoring a league-high 76 goals. To the Champ!
13-14 saw a tenth placed finish, and a slimming down of the squad which usually is the case with a promotion from L1 to the Championship.
32 players are used, compared to 39 in the previous season.
11 new signings join, with two (Camp and Surman) playing large roles.
32 players are used, compared to 39 in the previous season.
11 new signings join, with two (Camp and Surman) playing large roles.
14-15 sees Bournemouth win the league, and a further tightening of the core of the side with nine regulars (those playing 80%+ of mins available) - the most of Howe’s tenure.
Matt Ritchie racks up 17 assists, with Callum Wilson netting 20 goals.
Barclays, here we come.
Matt Ritchie racks up 17 assists, with Callum Wilson netting 20 goals.
Barclays, here we come.
The first season in the Premier League sees 15 new players join, but only Josh King makes any meaningful impact in terms of minutes.
Juan Iturbe (!) and Max Gradel are the other two exciting foreign imports, but barely see the pitch.
16th place on a tiny budget is commendable.
Juan Iturbe (!) and Max Gradel are the other two exciting foreign imports, but barely see the pitch.
16th place on a tiny budget is commendable.
16-17 is arguably Howe’s best year in charge: finishing ninth.
Not due to player investment, but good coaching. Note the long tails on the key players - this is a Champ side finishing mid table in the PL.
Some newbies do help. Ake joins + Fraser returns from loan out @ Ipswich
Not due to player investment, but good coaching. Note the long tails on the key players - this is a Champ side finishing mid table in the PL.
Some newbies do help. Ake joins + Fraser returns from loan out @ Ipswich
17-18 sees a 12th placed finish, scoring 10 goals less vs season prior.
Now the team is thinner than ever, and there’s not been investment to replace the likes of Francis, Pugh and Daniels down the line.
Defoe (34) signs a three year deal, a huge shot in the foot in retrospect.
Now the team is thinner than ever, and there’s not been investment to replace the likes of Francis, Pugh and Daniels down the line.
Defoe (34) signs a three year deal, a huge shot in the foot in retrospect.
The warning signs have been there.
18-19 sees Howe’s men concede 70 goals, even after investing in Lerma to balance the midfield.
Bournemouth have younger, better players playing more often, with the old guard phased out, yet finish worse than last season. Howe’s impact waning?
18-19 sees Howe’s men concede 70 goals, even after investing in Lerma to balance the midfield.
Bournemouth have younger, better players playing more often, with the old guard phased out, yet finish worse than last season. Howe’s impact waning?
Finally, onto this season and, sadly, relegation.
Bournemouth score just 40 goals (fewest of Howe’s tenure) and concede 65 (no real improvement at the back)
Injuries decimated any real hope of a consistent team, despite the spine playing a large proportion of minutes.
Bournemouth score just 40 goals (fewest of Howe’s tenure) and concede 65 (no real improvement at the back)
Injuries decimated any real hope of a consistent team, despite the spine playing a large proportion of minutes.
Bournemouth’s issues is they were a swing of misfortune away from a relegation scrap in the last few seasons, due to their defensive frailties.
Personnel were individually great at times (Ramsdale and Ake this season, Smith 16-17) but you need the whole team to be strong
Personnel were individually great at times (Ramsdale and Ake this season, Smith 16-17) but you need the whole team to be strong
I feel this is a great tale of the dangers of staleness at top-level football. The staleness of ideas, of personnel, of strategy. The danger of failing to properly reshuffle the pack.
Still think Howe can go on and achieve a lot, but hope an appropriate post-mortem is done to ensure the next job is equally long in tenure and fruitful in success.
