Football Season Review

When Eddie Howe took over at Bournemouth in early October, the Cherries were hovering just above the relegation zone after winning only one of their opening 11 games. With a quarter of the season already gone, few could have predicted that the Cherries could realistically challenge for direct promotion, but the job Howe did at the club was nothing short of remarkable. He helped the Cherries set a club record 19 game unbeaten run in all competitions, with his first defeat at the helm coming at home against Wigan in the FA Cup in January. By this time, the Cherries well on course for promotion and even looked capable of winning the league easily, but their hopes were seriously affected by the five game losing run they had from mid February to early March. The run of defeats was mostly caused by the horrid injury situation the Cherries had to deal with, as they were down to only two fully fit defenders. However, things soon went back to normal, as the injured players, one by one, started to return, and the Cherries secured their direct promotion with an eight game winning run late in the season. They missed out on the division title after being held to a goalless draw by Tranmere in the final round, but not many fans will be too disappointed, as Howe produced some real wonders with the club, and the Cherries will enter next season's Championship is confident mood. Special mention has to go to Brett Pitman, who Howe signed from Bristol City midway through the season, as the striker went on to score goals for fun with the Cherries and his goals were crucial to their promotion-clinching eight game winning streak.

Player of the Season: Brett Pitman