Bournemouth Fan View: Josh King staying shows the power of Eddie Howe

There’s been some excessive whinging amongst AFC Bournemouth fans for our lack of activity near the end of the transfer window.

Part of this is just to fulfil the somewhat sickening need for “more” that the transfer window has created.

But I have to admit. I feel our transfer activity wasn’t as great as many claimed. Our best business in the window was arguably to tie down our best players to long-term contracts though.

Hail to the Josh King

Dan Gosling, Harry Arter, and Adam Smith were all given extensions to their current deals in July. But it was the the signature on a such a contract from one man that all us AFC Bournemouth fans were looking for.

So when Josh King signed a new four year deal earlier this week there was much rejoicing on our part of the south coast.

Although the Norwegian had said he intended at the end of last season, the drama, stress, and – of course – riches involved in the transfer window can do strange things to alter a person’s loyalty.

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Howe does he do it

Josh King said in the end of season awards ceremony that he had “unfinished business” at the club, and then said he loved working with the gaffer.

I therefore think the power of Howe in convincing players to sign or stay at Bournemouth goes largely under appreciated. He’s one of the best up and coming managers in the game. The work he’s done in improving and motivating young players is impressive to say the least.

His methods may be demanding, but he has got results. From those that buy into his process at least. And clearly Josh King buys into it.

The way Howe convinced Jack Wilshere to come to us on loan last season shows he has the respect amongst more than just youngsters with a point to prove as well.

No defence for the defence

As I previously mentioned I do think we failed to land one or two players we might need over the course of the season however.

The fact we’ve named 22 players in our 25 man squad might suggest Howe knows that we’re a little short in certain areas too.

There’s no cover in the right back position if Adam Smith gets injured for example. Simon Francis can admittedly play there were he returns from his own injury. Yet I don’t think he’s good enough in that position at the top level.

Then there’s the defence in general. If both Simon Francis and Nathan Aké fail to recover from their knocks we’ll only have two recognised centre backs for our trip to Arsenal. Steve Cook and Tyrone Mings.

Sending Baily Cargill on loan and selling Marc Wilson because he couldn’t hack it in the south now doesn’t look particularly smart. Not that it ever looked smart of course.

It generally makes our alleged pursuit of winger Demarai Gray even more of a concern. Howe has never been one to be interested in defence sadly, and that seems to have continued in the recent transfer window.

It’s worrying if he can’t see that we need serious reinforcements in that department. It could well become a major issue for us before the season is over.