Bournemouth Fan View: Europe HAS to be the aim for the Cherries

That’s right, Bournemouth in Europe. That’s what I think my side AFC Bournemouth could potentially achieve this season – if all the pieces come together anyway.

For a lot of last season we looked a comfortably mid-table side after all, with only a horrendous blip from January to March causing me to become slightly uncomfortable.

In five consecutive seasons we’ve ended up finishing higher up the English football league ladder, but topping May’s ninth place finish will be tough. But certainly not impossible.

Bournemouth in Europe

As beyond the top seven sides from the last campaign – Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Everton – I genuinely don’t see another side that is as strong as us when we’re at the top of our game.

West Bromwich Albion will always struggle to get past Pulis’ “40 points is safety” mindset, whereas Southampton may be a historically bigger club than us – but nearly every side in the Premier League can say that. Ultimately, history means nothing, and Southampton look a weak team going from their pre-season results.

Then other possible top half contenders Stoke City, West Ham United, Leicester City, and Newcastle United all seem to currently be in some sort of flux – whether it’s uncertainty with their manager or struggles in terms of making an impact in the transfer window.

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A major opportunity

The problem is finishing above one of those aforementioned top seven sides of course. And finishing seventh is no guarantee of European football anyway. But there’s no doubt in my mind – this coming season is our best time to strike if we’re ever to achieve the seemingly impossible goal of Bournemouth in Europe.

Just look at what we have in our favour. We have arguably the best young manager in the sport right now – not just in England, but the world. When it comes to AFC Bournemouth Eddie Howe can do no wrong. Yes, many blithely claim that he is firmly in his comfort zone on the south coast – but the fact he’s so comfy here is the reason everything is working so well.

Then when you look at our squad and it’s unquestioningly stronger than it was in the last campaign. Experienced campaigners Asmir Begovic and Jermain Defoe have been added, but then there’s the huge pool of players that are now entering what should be the peak of their careers – Steve Cook, Adam Smith, Harry Arter, and Josh King to name but a few.

Growing young talents set to shine

Then there are the young players that could make a big impact after not getting a chance last season – or looking like they weren’t quite ready. These include Jordon Ibe, Lys Mousset, Tyrone Mings, and Lewis Cook could all play a big part for us next season if they take their chances. And with Howe at the helm they’ll all certainly get their chance.

Maybe I’m getting over-excited with the thought of Bournemouth in Europe, but in recent seasons as an AFC Bournemouth fan I’ve come to learn that the club’s current motto that “together, anything is possible” might not be the empty hyperbole that I thought at first.