TIME TO FIND OUT HOWE GOOD THE CHERRIES ARE

EDDIE HOWE has rightly earned many plaudits for the job he has done during the last five years at Bournemouth.

Howe (above) has taken the Cherries into the Premier League and, despite a capacity of just around 11,000, he has managed to establish them in the top flight in the past two seasons.

They are well backed financially and yet Bournemouth have kept their foundations – much of the squad which has taken them through the divisions – and they have become a well-run, well-liked club.

But this season was supposed to be the year when the Cherries moved up to the next level.

In came Jermain Defoe (above), Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic, all three players signed on big contracts.

Begovic arrived from Chelsea for £10million, is an excellent keeper and has a fine reputation from his time at Stamford Bridge and also at Stoke.

Ake also moved from Chelsea for a club record £20m and yet is finding it more difficult at Bournemouth than during his loan spell last season.

Defoe, who turns 35 next month, was signed on a three-year contract, and is expected to provide goals, but has yet to get off the mark.

Bournemouth have had a nightmare start, losing all four of their games and quickly find themselves being judged by different standards.

They have spent big, backed Howe – seen as a potential England boss – and yet find themselves looking in danger.

They were poor last week at Arsenal, Howe admitted none of their displays have been good enough and suddenly tonight’s game with Brighton has become huge.

For Howe, 39, moving up to the next level is proving to be a major hurdle. You are judged on your big signings and there is huge expectancy on Defoe’s shoulders, despite his age.

Ake looks to be struggling in a team lacking confidence.

This season will, arguably, define Bournemouth as to whether they are moving upwards, or, far more depressingly, going backwards, despite their big outlay.

And, ultimately, it will also define whether Howe is destined for the very top or not.

For the sake of English managers, a lot of people will be hoping that Howe comes good this season.