AFC BOURNEMOUTH

THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS A CRUEL MISTRESS. PARKERBALL NEEDS TO SHOW ITS TEETH FAST

THE PLAN

Bournemouth’s previous Premier League spell lasted five years. The Cherries built memories aplenty, but this time they’re looking for more tangible foundations. A new training complex is on the horizon and an extended top- tier stay could result in a bigger, more modern stadium. Stars with bags of potential should help. Dominic Solanke, Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook all possess the ability to control games, and at Bournemouth’s best last season they squeezed the life from teams like a boa constrictor. They also had the Championship’s best defence, with Irish goalkeeper Mark Travers, 22, keeping a league- high 20 clean sheets. It’s a tough task but, with the returning David Brooks now cancer- free and raring to go, this is a stronger Cherries side than 2019- 20.

THE COACH

Scott Parker is desperate to do something he’s never done before in his three and a half seasons of management: finish the campaign in the same league. Promotions at Fulham and the Cherries suggest talent: Parker is a galvaniser who wants to play on the front foot. Can this squad match his vision?

THE OWNER

A silent petrochemicals mogul who lives down the road in Sandbanks, Maxim Demin has bankrolled this previously penniless football club to unprecedented levels, for which fans are forever grateful. Avuncular chairman Jeff Mostyn – partial to an on- camera swear at promotion parties – remains the board’s face.

LESSON FROM LAST YEAR

Bournemouth were 2- 1 up against relegation- threatened Derby last November when Parker brought off the metronomic Lewis Cook for Gavin Kilkenny on the hour mark. Seconds later, the Rams were level – and went on to stun the Cherries to nab three points. The moment proved instructive, as Scott Parker’s charges proceeded to squander winning positions like loose change from a back pocket. Too often, Bournemouth didn’t take advantage of obvious control or sat back when they could have gone for the jugular. Well, the Premier League is a crueller mistress. Parkerball needs to show its teeth quickly. Only West Ham dropped more points when ahead than the south coasters three years ago, and such complacency will be ill- afforded. Ryan Fredericks can aid them there.

THE MOOD

Positive, yet cautious. Some fans feel the Cherries could, perhaps should, have won the Championship but for injuries and Parker sitting on leads. Jaidon Anthony is an exciting young winger with 15 goal involvements and an excellent cross, which is particularly useful given 6ft 5in Kieffer Moore is the Cherries’ centre- forward Plan B.

ONE TO WATCH

Solanke. He struggled in the Premier League first time around, but hit back with 29 goals and seven assists in the Championship last season as a Swiss Army knife of a striker.

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Come up with good chants. Left- back Jordan Zemura’s outrageously catchy ditty is set to UB40’ s Kingston Town,

Solanke used to have one to the tune of Rihanna’s Disturbia and, as sure as night follows day, Southampton fans will be called “dirty northern bastards” when they rock up for the south coast derby in October. Arf.

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