Bournemouth Fan View: Lys Mousset is becoming a cult hero

Lys Mousset is the definition of an enigma. Look up the word “enigma” in a dictionary and there he’ll be. Probably. No, don’t actually look it up…

In any case as an AFC Bournemouth supporter I feared that the young Frenchman might end up as another Tokelo Rantie (don’t ask), but his substitute display against Stoke City this weekend has helped convinced me otherwise.

Whereas Rantie was clearly a busted flush within less than a seaso, Mousset has had a lot less time on the pitch to impress. In the rare occurrences he did get on in the past he’s often looked to get at least one shot away – but generally looked rather clumsy and overly-anxious.

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Lys Mousset stokes the fire

On Saturday he came off the bench on the hour mark and completely changed the game though. Up to that point Stoke City were seemingly coasting their way to a 1-0 victory. Yes, they were utilising some roughhouse tactics that weren’t nice to see – but considering their precarious league position I wasn’t be too surprised.

Mousset completely took them by surprise however, his bustling physicality completely loosening any slight grip the Potters had on the game. His forward running and clever passing helped us build up a real head of steam.

We subsequently bagged a deserved equaliser. Mousset’s clever header back across Stoke keeper Jack Butland for the match winning goal was then the icing on a very delicious cake.

The former Le Havre player clearly has all the ingredients to become a cult hero on the south coast, and he’s a superb option to have available. Suddenly we have a full suite of in-form attacking players – Josh King, Callum Wilson, Jordon Ibe, Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fraser – and it’s great to see.

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AS IT HAPPENED: AFC Bournemouth vs Stoke City

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Howe outwits Lambert

What was also great to see this weekend was how Eddie Howe outdid Paul Lambert in terms of his substitutions. Whereas Lambert waited until it was too late to make changes, Eddie did not hesitate.

Stoke were losing before they made a double change, whereas Howe threw on Lys Mousset on early so the Frenchman would have plenty of time to make an impact. And make an impact he most certainly did.

Eddie also bravely abandoned our 3-4-3 formation early on once Steve Cook went off injured. We then reverted to the 4-4-2 that we’ve so often looked ineffective in – but Howe perhaps stubbornly plumped for it, and it paid dividends. It certainly left me eating my words.

Safety within our grasp?

Make no mistake then, this weekend’s win over Stoke was hugely pleasing for multiple reasons. It showed the huge reserves of character we have in the team. As not only did we manage to follow up on that stupendous result against Chelsea in midweek, we did it by coming back from a goal behind.

It now means we’re a mere three wins from safety, and with our next two February fixtures – Huddersfield away and Newcastle at home – that goal is well within our grasp.

I just hope this current unbeaten run continues into March – because if so we could be safe by the time spring has sprung. And wouldn’t that be nice.