The position envisaged by the Guardian writers: 12 (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin's prediction but the average of our writers' advice)
Last season's position: 12th
Perspectives
Perhaps the fact that it was a coastal outpost has until now obscured the grand ambition of Bournemouth's American owners, but the clues were there in the defenestration of Scott Parker and then Gary O'NeilBoth could argue that they had achieved goals in promotion and survival respectively, but the appointment of Andoni Iraola He set loftier goals. Last season brought success and progress after a slow start that had many boasting that O'Neil should have stayed in the team. Once Iraola's Marcelo Bielsa-inspired pressing game took hold, it was time for the hipsters – and the skeptics – to sit up and take notice.
O'Neil's Wolves finished two points and two places behind Bournemouth, but if the curve was upward for Iraola, it was still an inconsistent season. An unbeaten run since November ended on New Year's Eve and the next league win did not come until March, with the ensuing run securing a mid-table spot only for another drop to follow. For all the praise Iraola deservedly received (48 points in 38 games surpassed Eddie Howe's), Premier league The best thing is that these long-standing problems should be eradicated.
The signing of striker Daniel Jebbison, who has become a development project, was made possible in the summer but Luis Sinisterra is hoping for more immediately, with his loan move from Leeds last season having been turned into a permanent transfer. The same goes for Enes Unal, the Turkish striker who was not exactly prolific last season when on loan from Getafe. He then missed the Euros through injury.
The lack of fresh faces may worry fans despite the Premier League being slow across the board, but Iraola, whose complicated doctrine has been taking some time to establish, can argue that there is more to give from the current squad. At the same time, Bournemouth's team-mates have had time to work out their tactics and if the ambition is European football, the Conference League for example, then further recruitment seems necessary.