Cook back on the boil now
STEVE COOK thought he deserved to be dropped after a poor start to the season.
The Bournemouth centre-half lost his place through injury but still wonders if that spared him the axe.
Cook has been a mainstay of the side which won two promotions and established themselves in the top flight, but he feared things were unravelling as he struggled to find his form.
He need not have worried. On Saturday he was back doing what he does best.
Cook was heroic even before he rose to meet Andrew Surman’s corner for the Cherries’ added-time winner.
Two stunning blocks prevented certain goals as Bournemouth weathered a Newcastle storm before taking control after the break.
But he could have been dismissed for a foul on Dwight Gayle deeper into injury time.
Fortune favoured Cook, just as it had earlier when Gayle had an effort wrongly ruled out for offside, but there was nothing lucky about their second-half display.
“I could have been dropped if I hadn’t been injured,” said Cook. “I didn’t perform at the levels I set myself. It wasn’t through lack of effort as I probably did the most work I’ve done in pre-season.
“It’s the first time my form has really dipped and it was tough. Hopefully, I’ve come out a better player.”
Cook says it is now onwards and upwards for the club. “We really believe we can finish in the top half again,” he said.
The Magpies’ lack of attacking threat is costing them, but Matt Ritchie insists there are no major problems.
“It’s harsh to say we haven’t been clinical enough,” he said. “You just have to continue creating chances and the goals will come.”