Tomlin joined Boro from Peterbrough back in the January transfer window of 2014 for a fee of around £1.5 million but only managed to net ten goals in 50 appearances for the club last season.
Advertisement
Wilson scored 20 goals en route to promotion and the 23-year-old says Bournemouth are not going into the season with a small-club mentality. Whether this proves to be an advantage or disadvantage remains to be seen. The old players’ canteen has become a media working area and a new pavilion with extended and more secluded training facilities has been built.
The step up his a huge one, but Tomlin has always been convinced he can handle the big stage and he has been determined to showcase his skills in the Premier League. Adam Federici is likely to serve as back up following his move from Reading.
Pugh, a former Burnley youngster and lifelong Clarets fan, is Bournemouth’s longest-serving player following a five-year spell at Dean Court. “There’s no reason why Tim can’t make his team play as well as they did towards the end of last season and in that case Bournemouth will be in for a hard run”. If the Cherries can come out strong and sustain a reasonable pace throughout the season, they might actually flirt with the mid-table. I was doing that course and picking up some work with OPTA, who provide all the stats for TV and Premier League clubs, when the Tottenham gig came up.
Bournemouth full-back, Simon Francis, was instrumental in the club’s rise to the top flight. Players such as Ian Harte, Josh McQuoid, Darryl Flavahan, Mohamed Coulibaly, Joe Partington, Miles Addison, Ryan Fraser, Brett Pitman and Jayden Stockley have all left the club to make way for the aforementioned signings. Having spent last season on loan at Villa, the winger-cum-striker will be desperate to exhibit the form he showed in South Wales, and 4 pre-season goals is excellent form to be carrying in to the new campaign.
Howe is a positive character and there was much for him to feel positive about.
On paper it looks like a decent squad but it will be a case of how quickly can Flores and the players gel together.
And they appear to have some of the most loyal fans in England.
“I don’t think anyone even the craziest optimist thought this was possible”, said the team’s chairman, Jeff Mostyn.
A bond was struck and once Sherwood landed the Villa job in February, one of his first phone calls was to Brady’s mobile about making the switch with him.
Irish supporters will have an interest in their season with Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady in the squad.
However, such is the pressure of the Premier League, there will be no room for sentiment. They played quick, attacking football and shined more often than not as a result.
Burnley have the Sean Dyche factor on their side, with the “Ginger Mourinho” knowing how to take a side out of this division without the help of some hefty Premier League parachute payments.
Advertisement
But Sherwood’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect as Villa produced a far more dynamic second half display. The Poland global made 49 starts for the Saints in the top flight from 2012-14.
