Adam Jones explains why he is envious of AFC Bournemouth fans
AFC Bournemouth impressed me straight away when they were promoted to the Championship back in 2013. Their talent was clear to see, especially with the combination of Lewis Grabban and Yann Kermorgant up front. Five years on, and they have continued to impress me further and further.
Eddie Howe has instilled a nice brand of football which has enabled Bournemouth to survive and prosper in the Premier League. The fact that he has been at the club for a number of years is incredible, and yet he is still a young coach.
He has impressed so much, that he was linked with the England job before Gareth Southgate was given the role. This is something that has to be admired. Howe is only 41 and yet he was linked with arguably the most important job in English football.
On the subject of England, it is a testament to the club that Callum Wilson was given his first international call up just a few months ago and scored whilst he was at it! His performances in those England internationals symbolises Bournemouth as a club, hard working and determined.
Although Columbian midfielder Jefferson Lerma signed for a club record fee last summer, the club has never spent obscene amounts of money in the transfer market on players. The most important thing is that they have spent their money on the right players.
Nathan Ake and Lewis Cook are just two of the fantastic signings that they have made. As a Reading fan, Ake is someone who I am familiar with. I have to say he is one of the most talented young players I have ever seen play for Reading at the Madejski Stadium. It is good to see he has kicked on and is now featuring regularly in the Premier League.
His signing along with the purchase of Lewis Cook shows the club have planned for the long term. Those two purchases are already reaping rewards on the pitch, and both may demand huge transfer fees in the near future if they carry on developing well.
With the Vitality Stadium having a small capacity, it is very impressive that they have managed to get the backing and the commercial revenue in order to be competitive in the Premier League. Whenever I have watched matches there, the atmosphere has been very good. It is not surprising with how well Bournemouth are doing, sitting comfortably in mid table at this moment in time.
It is arguable that ticket revenue is not as important as it once was, with lucrative TV deals. With these TV deals, Bournemouth have been rewarded with a proportion of money which has been generated by it each season.
With this season being their fourth in the top division, it is likely that Bournemouth have secured their long term survival in professional football, something that was not secure ten years ago.
This shows how far the club has come, and it’s something to be proud of.
With thanks to Adam Jones
