It has been a busy 24 hours at AFC Bournemouth, with the arrival of experienced full back Ian Harte, the announcement that Steve Fletcher has a new job role and Steve Cooke extending his contract.
Ian Harte’s
arrival followed the usual rumours of he was definitely going to sign and then
he was definitely not interested in signing, but Eddie got his man after
impressing Harte with his plans for the future.
Harte at 35
is an experienced campaigner and will sure to be a calm head in the dressing
room next season, plus he has a quality left foot and I definitely look forward
to seeing one of his trademark free kicks hit the back of the net.
Harte signed
a one year contract on a free transfer, the same as Elliott Ward another
defender with bags of experience.
Thankfully it
comes as no surprise that when everyone around him is getting excited about
promotion, prospective signings and next season’s fixtures Eddie Howe goes
about his business quietly and calmly.
Signing two
experienced defenders with Premier League and Championship pedigree gets a big
tick in my book but the biggest positive has to be the fact we signed them on
free transfers and for only one year.
Let’s face it
the last thing we need is a lot players demanding large wages, if they either
can’t get in the side or if unimaginable happens and we find ourselves back in
League One next season.
It would be
easy to try and sign as many former premier league players looking for one last
payday who demand a big wage and a long contract, which has been the downfall
of many clubs.
With talk of
only one or two more new arrivals before August 3, there will be plenty of familiar
faces pulling on the red and black shirt next season.
It is good to
see us trusting the young lads who got us up last season and this was
reinforced today with Steve Cooke signing an improved three year contract, that
is why I trust Eddie and know whilst he is at the helm we are in safe hands.
Good luck to
super Fletch who has just taken a new job as a scout for the club, will be good
to see him around Dean Court this season, it would not be the same without him.
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