Should Bournemouth be brave and stick with style in Premier League?

Deep-lying midfielder Dan Gosling was on the fringes at Everton and Newcastle United earlier in his career, but Bournemouth are short of regulars that know top-flight football.

What Howe has at his disposal is a largely youthful squad, sprinkled with the odd seasoned pro here and there. Top scorer Callum Wilson’s own rapid rise mirrors that of Bournemouth, and he (pictured below) is definitely one to watch for next season.

Scotland winger Matt Ritchie, who was just breaking into the first-team picture along the south coast at Portsmouth when the bottom fell out, has supplemented with goals and guile, so must be given license by Howe to continue to do so.

The Cherries have climbed English football’s pyramid playing an expansive and mobile 4-4-2 with two wingers and all-action operators in the engine room. Howe could be forgiven for erring more on the side of caution hereafter, but may be best served by sticking to his principles and attacking big name opposite in this open fashion.

Bournemouth’s defensive record is nothing like as impressive as miserly Middlesbrough, who they have essentially beaten to automatic promotion, with only one game in every three resulting in the opposition being shut out.

Howe could consider bringing in a wise old head with Premier League experience in this area. Someone like a Brede Hangeland, whose deal at Crystal Palace is up this summer.

Punters may be surprised to learn the Cherries are odds-on for the drop at 8/13, but betting cannot take potential into account. There is that in abundance at Bournemouth but, until we see how Howe handles his difficult decisions over the summer, there is still plenty to prove.