Today we move up to 8th and the team we feel will just miss out on the play-off loterry, Eddie Howe's Bournemouth...
Last Season
A relegation battle thrust upon the Cherries by their 17 point deduction and with Jimmy Quinn in charge it looked like the club could be joining Luton Town in heading straight down from League Two and into the Conference. The Football League's youngest manager, Eddie Howe, came in however and steadied the ship and gave a chance to some of the club's impressive youngsters and eventually they made their way to safety quite comfortably. Quinn had taken over early in the season from Kevin Bond, but his long ball tactics didn't sit well with Bournemouth fans, who are used to their club showing great faith in youngsters such as Sam Vokes and playing an attractive brand of football, neither of which Quinn encouraged.
When Howe was appointed in January he set about stamping his mark on the squad and brought in Steve Fletcher, another former Cherries hero, from Crawley Town. The big strike was used as a focal point in the Cherries' attractive 4-4-2 and he provided the perfect foil for the talented but inconsistent Brett Pitman, who found form in the second half season and finished with 17 goals, finally beginning to fulfill the potential he has shown from an early age at Dean Court. Howe also put his faith in some of the youngsters coming through the club's impressive youth system and the likes of Welsh midfielder Joe Partington and Northern Irish winger Josh McQuoid impressed in cameo roles towards the end of the campaign. In the end Fletcher scored the goal past fellow strugglers Grimsby Town to keep the Cherries in the Football League for another year.
The Manager
At just 31, Eddie Howe is comfortably the Football League's youngest manager, but he has proved to be one of the most promising in his first half-season at Bournemouth. A former Cherries legend who played around 270 games for the club, Howe was thrust into the spotlight after Jimmy Quinn's sacking and did impeccably to guide the club to safety whilst playing an impressive passing game. Someone who has invested his time in the club's youth system since retiring, Howe knows the quality of some of the youngsters coming through the club's youth system and hasn't been afraid to put his faith in some of his young charges.
He will be looking to build on his initial success at Dean Court this season, although more financial worries this summer have meant he has found it difficult to bring players into the club to strengthen his squad. He already has a talented side at his disposal but he will be hoping to get the green light for a few new faces before the end of August to freshen up his side and give them the depth needed for a play-off push.
The Squad
In goal, Iraqi Shwan Jalal has settled down at Dean Court following disappointing spells at Peterborough United and Morecambe, but he has stern competition in the form of talented young stopper Ryan Pryce, another product of the club's youth system. In defence Howe will be hoping to keep ex-Arsenal youngster Ryan Garry fit for longer than he managed last season, whilst Jason Pierce is also key to the Cherries. Losing captain Shaun Cooper for six months is, however, a massive blow to Bournemouth's chances. Big Aussie Scott Guyett disappointed hugely last term and finds himself on the fringes of the squad, whilst long serving left back Warren Cummings will be hoping to refind form this season.
The midfield is dominated by talented ex-Chelsea trainee Danny Hollands, who has the vision and quality to be a real star for the club this season. Sammy Igoe also has the ability to unlock defences, whilst box-to-box runner Marvin Bartley provides a formidale presence. Mark Molesley was brought in from Grays Athletic towards the end of last season and impressed in his early appearances for the club. Out wide Northern Ireland Under 21 international Josh McQuoid will be hoping to continue his development and feature more for the first team, whilst talented young Welshman Joe Partington will be hoping to gain a place in the middle of the park. Liam Feeney, signed from Salisbury City, provides pace down the left. Upfront Steve Fletcher may be getting on a bit and has never been prolific, but he is an outlet for the Cherries and if Brett Pitman can continue his form from the end of last season they could score plenty of goals. Alan Connell provides back up as does Lee Bradbury, but he has been used as a right back on a number of occasions recently for the Cherries. Ex-non league man Jeff Goulding spent the end of last season on loan at Eastbourne Borough and will now be hoping to re-establish himself at Dean Court.
Prediction
Howe has a talented, young squad at his disposal but we feel it may be a year early for Bournemouth to really leave their mark on the division. Losing Cooper for such a long period of time is a huge blow and players such as Partington and McQuoid may need another year at this level before really kicking on. An injury prone defence with a lack of cover could also cost Howe, as could a lack of effective cover for Fletcher and Pitman upfront. If Howe can get in a couple more bodies and his young side really hit it off however, they could be one to watch.
8th