The AFC Bournemouth Thread

[BeingFaridKhan]

AFC Bournemouth have signed Christian Atsu from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

Atsu, from Ghana, moved to Stamford Bridge 20 months ago since when he has had loan spells with Everton and Vitesse.
The 23-year-old can play as a winger and midfielder, and has represented his country at both the World Cup Finals and Africa Cup of Nations.
In the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, earlier this year, he was named player of the tournament.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: "We had to fight off several other Premier League clubs to get him, so we are very, very pleased.
"Christian is a player with outstanding experience when you look at the career he has had. We are loaning a player of huge potential so we are very, very pleased.
"I think he will bring pace and ability to beat a man one-v-one which is very important in the Premier League, so for all those reasons I think he is a great signing for us."

http://www.foxsportsasia.com/footba...ail/item9869060/Bournemouth-take-Atsu-on-loan

 

[James]

<b>David Brooks: Bournemouth and Wales winger cancer free after Hodgkin lymphoma treatment</b>

Bournemouth and Wales winger David Brooks says he is cancer free.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October and has not played for the Cherries since.

"I am delighted to say the treatment was successful and I can now say that I have been given the all clear and am now cancer free," Brooks said.

"Those words feel incredible to say and I am so thankful for all your messages and good wishes, these really helped me through the tough times."

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system.

At the time of his diagnosis, Brooks paid particular thanks to the Wales medical team whose "swift attention" had helped detect the illness while he was on international duty for their World Cup qualifiers.

Brooks, who has been capped 21 times and made three appearances for Wales at Euro 2020, last played in Bournemouth's goalless draw against Peterborough on 29 September, when he came off after 69 minutes.

The former Sheffield United player also thanked the medical team that had been treating him and now hopes to get back to playing.

"I am so excited to start the journey back to full fitness and continuing my football career," he added in a post on social media.

"The lads at Bournemouth have had an excellent season so far and I am looking forward to being back at The Vitality to cheer the team on as we head into the most important fixtures of the season.

"I am determined to work my hardest over the months ahead and I can't wait to be back out there and playing in front of you on the pitch in the not too distant future."

Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: "This is fantastic news and everyone at the club is delighted for David.

"He has shown incredible resolve and courage throughout this journey and we will continue to support him as he begins his journey back to full fitness."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61311759

 

[James]

24 years old.

Good news for the kid that he has recovered.

 

[MenInG]

Bournemouth sealed their return to the Premier League with a game to spare thanks to an ingeniously worked late goal from Kieffer Moore. Forest needed to avoid defeat to take settling the second promotion place to the final day, and a dogged rearguard effort had looked like seeing out a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

However, seven minutes from time Philip Billing befuddled the Forest defence with a free-kick, opting against shooting from just outside the area and instead shifting the ball to Kieffer Moore on the left-hand side of the visiting area. Substitute Moore found himself in plenty of space with the wall still trying to get their bearings, and curled low into Brice Samba’s far corner.

Scott Parker’s side are now back in the Premier League after relegation two years ago. Forest will hope to end their 23-year absence from the top tier via the playoffs.

Guardian

 

[MenInG]

Bournemouth boss Scott Parker told Sky Sports:

"First and foremost I'm delighted for the fans, and my players. They deserve this position. It means a lot.

"We never had control in the first-half, and we didn't want a basketball match. We spoke about control and calm and process. We didn't execute the game plan and in the second half we showed our dominance.

"This group is a young team, learning their trade in a promotion task. One thing about this group, if we need a result we did deep and find it."

 

[Saj]

Good appointment Scott Parker.

The biggest problem though is the lack of funds available to the club for the Premier League.

If they don't spend big they'll do a Norwich City.

 

[James]

<b>Bournemouth: Joe Rothwell makes free transfer from Blackburn on four-year deal</b>

Bournemouth have completed the signing of midfielder Joe Rothwell from Blackburn on a four-year deal.

As his Blackburn contract is about to expire, the 27-year-old will join the Cherries on a free transfer.

Rothwell came through the Manchester United academy before joining League One Oxford in 2016 and moving up to the Championship with Blackburn in 2018.

He made 41 league appearances last season, claiming three goals and 10 assists as Rovers finished eighth.

Bournemouth came second, earning automatic promotion from the Championship, and <b>after Ryan Fredericks' arrival from West Ham</b>, Rothwell is their second summer signing as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.

BBC

 

[James]

<b>Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil described Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace as "the worst I've seen" since he took over in late August.</b>

O'Neil, confirmed as head coach during the World Cup after impressing as caretaker, said: "That's the first time since I've taken charge that we fell well below the standards that we've set, and the standards that we need.

"I was really disappointed with nearly all aspects of the day. We looked so flat, and there were so many errors with the ball."

"There are no excuses, and I take full responsibility," added O'Neil.

"The Premier League is ruthless. If you're going to perform like that and not do your job from set-plays, it's going to be a long afternoon.

"We've achieved a decent points tally with the group of players we've got, but as with the other 19 teams in the league we'll be looking to improve [the squad] in January."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64083697

 

[James]

<b>Bournemouth 2-4 Burnley</b>

Championship leaders Burnley beat Premier League strugglers Bournemouth in a thrilling FA Cup third-round tie at Vitality Stadium.

Benson's opener for the Clarets was cancelled out by a Ryan Christie effort, before Zaroury struck twice to give Burnley a 3-1 half-time lead.

Dominic Solanke cut the deficit but Benson added a fourth minutes later.

Bournemouth had chances late on but Burnley held on for a deserved victory.

The result will heap further pressure on Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil with the Cherries having now lost nine of their past 11 matches.

"The rest of the performance isn't important because the silly three goals we conceded are irreparable," O'Neil told BBC Sport at full-time.

"If you're going to concede goals like that you can't win football matches. We need to improve quickly - there's a lot going on and we need to improve quick."

 

[James]

Oh dear. Bournemouth.

Probably the worst team in the Premier League at the moment.