Bournemouth have started the Premier League campaign in good fashion, winning their opening league games beating Cardiff 2-0 on the opening day of the campaign before winning 2-1 at West Ham last time out.
That winning run faces a stern test on Saturday afternoon, as the Cherries welcome a seemingly revitalised Everton under Portuguese boss Marco Silva.
I am a big fan of Eddie Howe
I am a big fan of Cherries boss Eddie Howe, and not just because he was a childhood Evertonian either! The 40-year-old has done an exceptional job with the south coast club taking them from rags to riches during his reign. He deserves even more credit for keeping the Cherries in the Premier League.
What I like most about Howe is the fact that he believes in his own ideas, and will defend them to the hilt. His team will play football, even when the team are struggling they will play their way out of trouble. It has certainly worked so far for the Cherries.
Howe also comes across as an intelligent, who is usually pretty honest in his assessment of games, whether that be to the detriment of his team or not. The fact that he was linked with the England job prior to Gareth Southgate’s appointment showed his standing in the game.
How high can Bournemouth aim?
On paper, Bournemouth are not a Premier League club in stature. The Cherries only made their top-flight debut in 2015, courtesy of good work by Howe and the clubs very shrewd hierarchy.
The south coast club has finished 16th, 9th and 12th in the Premier League since winning promotion. Those are all respectable positions for a club of Bournemouth’s size.
However, Howe seems to have instilled a sense of belief within the club that they can achieve more than they have in the past. His management has helped keep the top-flight dream alive. In truth, without Howe’s often brave style of football, the Cherries would probably not still be in the English top-flight. A top-half finish this season would surely be an achievement for the Cherries.
However, the fast start will have Cherries fans dreaming of an even higher finish in the table. Howe and his team will be grounded, though and know that it is very early in the season. There is plenty of football still to be played this season.
With a club like Bournemouth, there is a ceiling of what can be achieved. Cherries will not like me for saying this, but Howe will probably have to move on eventually to fulfil his potential.
Saturday’s game could be explosive
The game on Saturday could be one of the games of the Premier League weekend. Neither side can defend, while both like to play attacking, expansive football, so the game could really finish any score. The Cherries are slight favourites to win the clash at odds of 13/8. Games between these two teams usually produce goals and this weekend’s encounter looks to be no different.
A victory over the Toffees will give the Cherries three wins out of three in the Premier League this season. It would be a fantastic start to the campaign for Bournemouth and their boss Howe. It remains to be seen just how far the young boss can take the Cherries. However, I suspect that Bournemouth fans will enjoy it while it lasts on the south coast.
How far can Eddie Howe take Bournemouth?
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