The pressure of surviving the drop the first time out, and retaining Premier League status is enormous, with Bournemouth, Norwich and Watford set for a testing and stressful campaign.
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Tomlin struck ten times for Boro in the Championship last season, including in their play-off semi final against Brentford, as their promotion charge ended at the final hurdle.
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.
Only 31 goals were scored and that was just about as bad as it gets for a team that stays up so it remains to be seen if either Ayew or Gestede can adequately replace Benteke, who flourished when it mattered at the business end of the season. “We will play the way we have done over the last few years and it will be a strength for us”.
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. To be going into Dean Court in the afternoon to watch our club in the Premier League for the first time ever will be something to remember for the rest of our lives, whatever the result. Adam Federici is likely to serve as back up following his move from Reading. If the Cherries can come out strong and sustain a reasonable pace throughout the season, they might actually flirt with the mid-table.
“I am a very committed player and like to create goals and get the fans on the edge of their seats”.
However will that be enough if Watford don’t hit the ground running on their return to the top flight after an eight year exile.
On paper it looks like a decent squad but it will be a case of how quickly can Flores and the players gel together.
Although this will be the first Premier League encounter between the pair, the sides have faced each other on no less than 5 previous occasions, with Villa coming out on top in 3 of these, most recently in a 2-1 FA Cup success at the turn of the year. “Ask the manager and the players, who’ve seen me in training, whether they think I’m here to retire or compete”, he said.
Last season, Howe employed an entertaining and offensive approach in the Championship; ensuring that his side attempted to boss possession and take the game to their opponents.
Under Howe’s tutelage, the Cherries seem intent on making a mark on their first season in the top flight. Villa were suddenly looking positive and Artur Boruc needed to make an excellent save low to his left to deny Ibrissa Gueye following Gabby Agbonlahor’s cut-back.
Irish supporters will have an interest in their season with Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady in the squad. The club’s ascendency into the Premier League this season only strengthens that reputation and, what’s more, it’s entirely possible that there’s still room to grow.
Andre Wisdom has joined on loan from Liverpool for the season while Youssouf Mulumbu and Graham Dorrans have also signed up. I was playing against them and thinking “imagine if I played here”.
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It might need those early points because in pure financial terms the team will find it hard to compete with the rest of the Premier League.
