EPL: 5 things to watch in Bournemouth’s 2018-19 season

The Cherries look to come back better than ever in season four under Eddie Howe. Here are things to look for in Bournemouth’s season.

The countdown to the 2018-19 Premier League season is underway with less than three weeks to go till kickoff. Bournemouth finished last season in 12th position after a great stretch of wins and draws during the winter. In the fourth EPL season for Eddie Howe and the Cherries, expectations can be higher than they have ever been.

Take-off for Eddie Howe

The young Bournemouth manager can raise his stock up greatly if he can lead the Cherries to a good position in the table. Howe has led them from League One to a regular EPL team. Their 9th place finish two seasons ago was a monumental achievement for himself and the club.

If things continue to go up for the 40-year old Howe, we will once again see the rumors of him moving on to a bigger managerial job. Now that the England position is set with Southgate, Howe could become the new man in charge at a bigger English club. The opportunities for him are endless if Bournemouth has a good season.

Last hurrah for Jermain Defoe

One of the greatest EPL goalscorers of all-time will turn 36 in October. We could see the last of Jermain Defoe this season. His second year at Bournemouth will be his 22nd season in the Premier League. After a 4 goal season last year, this may be the last time we see Defoe in the EPL. It will be fun to watch to see if he can still put goals in.

Jordan Ibe’s comeback

The most expensive player in Bournemouth history must redeem himself this season. In his two years at the Vitality, Jordan Ibe has managed two goals in 57 EPL appearances. That is simply not good enough for a club-record player who was pinned as a future star. Ibe is capable of being a very effective player at this level and must play to his potential this season. If he does…

A fearsome attack

Bournemouth will have one of the most fearsome attacks in the league. Eddie Howe is known for playing a very fluid style of attacking football. With Jordan Ibe and Junior Stanislas on the wings joined by Joshua King, Callum Wilson, or Jermain Defoe up top, the Cherries can be formidable going forward. After three consecutive losses last season in December, Bournemouth went 13 straight games with at least one goal. At their peak, that is what they are capable of.

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A chance at the top ten

At their peak, this is a top-ten team. Burnley and Newcastle are not exactly consistent top-half teams every season. Bournemouth can be if all their players play to their potential and if Eddie Howe can lead the team to a lot of short stints of points. They can’t afford to have any losing stretches of more than five or six losses. Scratch that out, and you got a legitimate top-half contender.