Premier League 15/16 Season Preview: Bournemouth

Formed: 1890 Manager: Eddie Howe Stadium: Dean Court Capacity: 11,700 Years in Premier League: 0 Last 3 seasons: 2014-15: 1st (Championship) 2013-14: 10th 2012-13: 2nd (League One) Best finish: 1st (2014-15 – Championship) Opening day fixture: Aston Villa (H), Aug 8 Last day fixture: Manchester United (A), May 15

This season’s aim:

Last season’s Championship champions Bournemouth embark upon their first-ever Premier League season with an essence of enthusiasm and flair about them. Eddie Howe’s Cherries enjoy playing an attractive but offensive style of play, with top goalscorer Callum Wilson and winger Matt Ritchie regularly at the heart of their counter-attacks. However, leading defenders Steve Cook and new signing Tyrone Mings will be under immense pressure to deal with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Diego Costa in the Promised Land. The Premier League is a completely different ball game compared to the Football League, meaning Bournemouth will be overjoyed if they manage to survive their debut season in the English top flight.

Transfers in:

Artur Boruc (Southampton), Adam Federici (Reading), Joshua King (Blackburn Rovers), Christian Atsu (Chelsea), Tyrone Mings (Ipswich Town), Sylvain Distin (Everton), Max Gradel (St Etienne), Lee Tomlin (Middlesbrough)

Transfers out:

Ian Harte (Released), Josh McQuoid (Luton Town), Darryl Flavahan (Released), Mohamed Coulibaly (Released), Joe Partington (Released), Miles Addison (Released), Ryan Fraser (Ipswich Town), Brett Pitman (Ipswich Town), Jayden Stockley (Portsmouth)

Star Player: Callum Wilson

Perhaps the best piece of business the Premier League newboys have made this summer is convincing star striker Callum Wilson to pen a new four-year deal with the club. The 23-year-old, who arrived at Dean Court from Coventry City for a reported fee of £3m last summer, hit the ground running on the south coast by scoring 23 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will be dependent on the ex-England Under-21 international for scoring enough goals to seal the club’s future in the top flight come May.

Shoot’s Bournemouth blogger: Peter Bell

Blogger’s view: “Many experienced pundits will take one look at the Premier League stats from the last few seasons and instantly predict with great confidence that AFC Bournemouth will be among the relegated teams. There are several reasons though why I believe they will be wrong. Firstly, Eddie Howe has nurtured this team from its beginnings at the bottom of the football league and the team spirit is amazing. Secondly, Howe himself is one of the best young English managers and together with Jason Tindall he develops special players. Thirdly, Callum Wilson will be the striker that everyone will have wished that they had put in their fantasy league team by the end of the season. Fourthly, the Cherries have a wonderful fan base driving the team on.”

Blogger’s key man: Callum Wilson

Shoot Says: Relegation contenders