Bournemouth Fan View: Callum Wilson needs time on the bench

Now I know I wrote a column back in November about how Callum Wilson could stake a claim to join the England squad in Russia – but I may have been a tad hasty when I said that. Okay, very hasty indeed. But as an over-excited AFC Bournemouth fan, can you blame me?

In recent weeks Wilson has been terribly out of form though, and it’s sad to see. He’s missing big chances – and worse still sometimes doesn’t even have chances to miss.

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His display this weekend against Crystal Palace demonstrated his profligacy in front of goal yet again, and was rightly subbed for the far more effective Josh King after the hour.

Callum Wilson, Bournemouth’s goal machine?

Eddie Howe has been known for sticking with players through rough patches, but it’s gone beyond a joke now with Wilson. Especially as there are so many players that deserve a chance to be the main man up front over him.

Probably the most obvious of these is Josh King, our top scorer for the past two seasons. He’s looked woefully ineffective in the number ten role behind Wilson, and deserves a chance up front again.

To say it’s been cruel that he’s been relegated to a position that plays against his strengths is an understatement. After his exploits in the last two seasons – where he played a huge part in us staying up – he certainly deserves to usurp Wilson.

I like to Mousset Mousset

Then there’s Jermain Defoe, who has looked sharp since returning from injury. After his superb cameo performance against Watford last week he deserved to start against Palace – and he did. Shame it was in the number ten position.

It’s simply insane to play Defoe – the definition of a goal poacher – in that role. And surprise surprise he didn’t look effective there.

Finally, even Lys Mousset deserves to be starting over Wilson. The young Frenchman has looked really dangerous when he’s played. You never know what he’s going to do next, which can be a good thing. Sometimes anyway.

Start playing to form

To have three players that should be starting over Wilson in the main striker role is as frustrating as it is pleasing. It’s good to have so many attacking threats, but it’s highly irritating to start games handicapped.

Simply put, Howe needs to start selecting players who are on form. Throughout this campaign he has stuck with certain players for far too long when better options are waiting in the wings.

Some of these include Harry Arter, Simon Francis, and now Callum Wilson. We’ve survived on the squad’s huge character this season, but we might not get so lucky next year. I just hope Howe learns from the mistakes he’s made during this campaign.

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