The challenge posed by the English Premier League continues to test AFC Bournemouth and the 2022/23 campaign was no different.
There is no denying that compared to many clubs we are not rich. We are financially hampered by ground size and that uplift in revenue, but what the club lacks in historical Premier League riches, we make up for in spirit, belief and the ability to punch above our weight. For those fans who like a small flutter on football, that fact is often reflected in available Bournemouth match odds.
History shows that from the darker days, we keep punching above our weight and we did it again this season, knowing we went into the final game of the campaign safe from relegation, despite being an early favourite to suffer relegation this season. Everton, under Sean Dyche, were always going to be a tricky final customer to deal with at Goodison Park given that relegation was at stake for them, and yes, we suffered a 1-0 defeat and it left us in 15th place in the table, where a win could have taken us into 13th place.
Despite the small disappointment that would obviously be felt by fans by not finishing slightly higher, many in the wider world of football had us tipped for relegation and we comfortably avoided that, so there is reason for positivity.
Manager Gary O’Neil was certainly singing that tune ahead of the Goodison Park clash, where knowing that we were safe, he felt it would be a good mental strength test for the side facing off against what was a team battling for their future.
“I think it’s a really good test for us. I’m looking forward to seeing where we are in it, how we cope with what the atmosphere may look like, how we cope with what Everton are as a side, because they are very direct, [and they] ask a lot of questions of you.”
Adding.
“We’ve struggled with things like that in the past, the West Ham game (at home). Similar direct side. Everton will be direct, the atmosphere will be tough and what a great opportunity for the players to go and show what a good side we are. See how we can stand up to the questions that are undoubtedly going to be asked of us. So a real good marker for me with the last game of the season, going into a summer break and then pre-season to just see where we are, against what will be a real good test.”
Whilst the record books will record a 1-0 defeat for Bournemouth on the final day, nobody can question the desire or commitment from the side in trying to pick up the win and we had our chances with England stopper Jordan Pickford pulling off a few fine saves. Ultimately, it was an unstoppable fluke of a shot from Abdoulaye Doucoure just ahead of the hour mark that separated the sides at the full time whistle.
Now we just have to see what the summer holds as we look to secure another year in the English top flight.
Photo by Unsplash
