With the Mansion Derby on the horizon with Palace travelling to the South Coast on Boxing Day, we had a chat with the team at popular fan site Tales From The South End.
Q. What were your hopes and dreams before a ball was kicked this season?
Before the season started, the first thought for most newly promoted teams is survival. We would have been happy with seventeenth place and staying up on goal difference but, if things went our way (which they did not) I could have seen us finishing in mid-table and still believe that could happen.
Q. How do you rate the squad that was put together for this season?
The Championship winning squad was not far from being the complete article but Eddie Howe knew he needed to strengthen in key areas and the players he brought in were capable of taking us to another level. Injuries to Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel were a real blow, but the squad players have come in and after a few games have really grown into the Premier League and shown how good they can be.
Q. Eddie Howe has done a great job for you but was he welcomed back to the club after his stint at Burnley?
We were successful when he left but respective managers saw us slide back into mediocrity. Even though a lot of fans were not happy when he left it was all soon forgotten and he was welcomed back with open arms. He was one of our own returning to where he belonged and his impact was immediate.
Q. All Palace fans will want to hear how our former striker Glenn Murray is doing so perhaps you could tell us the fans feelings about him and how he has done for you so far.
The vast majority of fans thought he was a great addition to the squad and when Callun Wilson got injured we thought we have a great replacement in Murray. He has plenty of experience, but he has not slipped seamlessly into the team. He was in and then he was out. He seems to be adjusting to our style of play and buying into the team ethos. I think we will see more of him over the coming months and he will score goals we are sure.
Q. Injuries have been tough on the club this season so how active do you think you will be in the transfer window and what are your needs?
Spending big in the transfer window may seem like a good idea but we already have so many good players injured so loan deals might be a better option. If we are going to spend money I reckon another goalkeeper and striker would be good choices – Charlie Austin would be a great addition. He scores goals and has worked with Eddie Howe before.
Q. Which Bournemouth player do you recommend we buy in FIFA16?
I have not played FIFA since FIFA 11. Old School – started with FIFA 95 but I would imagine Callum Wilson, Max Gradel or Matt Ritchie would be good attacking options. Andrew Surman is something of an unsung hero in midfield.
Q. Who do you predict will win the domestic competitions – Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup?
My ideal season would see Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea win nothing. I would love for Leicester to win the Premier League, or Arsenal. Arsenal to win the FA Cup and Everton to win the League Cup.
Q. Which Bournemouth player should Palace be concerned about and which Palace player should Bournemouth be concerned about?
If Matt Ritchie is on his game watch him keep popping up late in the box or shoot from distance. On the other wing Stanislas will be trying to stretch the defence with his pace. I guess for AFC Bournemouth Yohan Cabaye, Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha are three players the Cherries will need to keep a close eye on if we want to get anything from the game.
Q. Your prediction?
Score predictions are great, I am almost guaranteed to be wrong. Palace are playing well and getting good results, but so are we. It will be an entertaining game with us winning 4-3 so much more likely to be a 1-1 draw!
Q. Please tell us about your site and share anything that you are currently working on.
Just in case you did not know, The South End is an unofficial AFC Bournemouth fan site which has been going in various guises since 2003. Its full title is ‘Tales From The South End’ and was originally going to retell fan stories. The original South End at Dean Court was knocked down and in the true tradition of football the name got shortened to The South End. There is no South End anymore, it is now the South Stand. Looking forward, expect more news, views, opinion and comment about AFC Bournemouth. We might expand the site to include a lot more content about opposition teams starting with the Premier League.
