Bournemouth season could be the biggest Premier League story

As we settle in for the latest international break, the Premier League table is taking shape and the battle for a top-six place is extremely tight. Amongst the candidates to qualify for Europe are Bournemouth, a team many suggested would only last one season in the top flight when they were promoted.
This is now the fifth season for Premier League football at the Vitality Stadium and the Cherries continue to defy the critics and continue their progression.
The next step would clearly be the biggest, breaking into the top six and making next season’s Europa League – with the prospect of facing some of the biggest names in world football.
The key factor in Bournemouth’s top flight success has been the board’s backing of Eddie Howe and the continuing, subtle evolution of the squad since promotion from the Championship
With the help of the shirt sponsor deal with Mansion Bet, who are included in this rating and reviewing of online casinos, and the Cherries board – Howe has been able to spend big fees to tempt players away from high-profile clubs.
The likes of Jordan Ibe, Dominic Solanke and Nathan Ake have been brought in from Liverpool and Chelsea, persuaded by the ambitions of the south-coast club.
Howe’s men have been unpredictable this season, highlighted by the stats – with Bournemouth winning four, losing four and drawing four of their 12 games to date.
Despite only winning back-to-back matches on one occasion this term, Bournemouth are still sat in the top half (9th) and just one point outside of the top five. That highlights the fact that the other teams – including some of the European regulars – are also very unpredictable this term.
The next month is likely to prove significant as to whether Europe is a pipe dream or a reality, with a tough run of fixtures facing the Cherries.
Following the international break, Bournemouth play host to Wolves – who are one place above them in the table. There are then back-to-back away games in the capital, against Tottenham and Crystal Palace, before facing leaders Liverpool on home soil and then a trip to Chelsea on December 14.
If they can come out of that run and are still in the top half, then we will be able to describe them as serious European contenders.
If we see the name of AFC Bournemouth in the glitz and glamour of a UEFA draw, it will probably be the biggest achievement in Premier League history, for a club with an average attendance of 10,600 fans at home, half the number of the team that are 19th (Burnley) in the attendance stats.