Ahead of the visit of the Cherries to Selhurst Park, we had another chat with the team at popular fan group The South End.
Q. How have you got on since we last spoke?
We got to the last sixteen of the FA Cup and got a home draw with Everton. Picked up a win and a couple of draws and spent a few quid on some strikers. One has scored, still waiting on the other.
Q. What were your thoughts on our trip to the South Coast which ended in a draw?
Palace were on a good run at the time and I thought getting a point against them would be a good result. I expected a little more on the day from Palace, but I think Alan Pardew must have been reasonably happy with his teams work on the day.
Q. What do you make of your signings so far this transfer window?
The two main signings are Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban for £9m and £8m respectively. Benik Afobe is young, quick and knows where the goal is. He is very much in the mould that Callum Wilson comes from and while he has cost us a lot of money, we are getting potential and an instant return on our investment. Money well spent we reckon. The £8m for Grabban seems like a lot. Is he worth it? No, but Eddie Howe knows exactly what he is getting and he knows he will fit into his team. So while we are not fans of Grabban we hope he scores a lot of goals like he did before
Q. Do you expect more new additions? If so, where do you need to strengthen?
Eddie Howe has said to expect one more addition and this might well have happened by the time you read this. Not so sure where we need to strengthen, maybe in goal and maybe a winger.
Q. Bournemouth have won many fans this season but surprised many by spending big this month. Is it a surprise to you?
No not really. I thought Afobe would be the big buy and was hoping to get Lewis Grabban for a lot less than what we paid for him. Eddie Howe is desperate to stay in the Premier League and he was always going to spend money to try and make that happen. And, of course he will.
Q. The big question is, will you stay up?
Yes. We have enough firepower in the team, as long as they all stay fit, to score the goals we need to get the points required. And, there are at least three teams that are worse than us. So fifteenth it is.
Q. What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
You had a good start to the season, started to look like a top six finish was on the cards before tailing off a little recently. You have a decent team and a good manager. A top ten finish is almost a certainty we at TFTSE would say.
Q. Which Bournemouth player should Palace be concerned about and which Palace player should Bournemouth be concerned about?
We would have said Junior Stanislas, but he got nobbled by Billy Jones at Sunderland. Matt Ritchie is always dangerous and Andrew Surman is an unsung hero. But on the day any of the team could step up and be the hero for the day. I guess the one to watch out for Bournemouth will be new boy Emmanuel Abedayor (assuming he plays). He always seems to score for his new team. Otherwise Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie are two very players who can produce a moment of magic.
Q. Your prediction?
With my Bournemouth blinkers on, 2-1 to the mighty Cherries. With my blinkers off I think a draw will be a more likely result. Probably an exciting 0-0.
Q. Please share any projects that you are working on at the moment.
Just head over to our website and have a browse. All visitors welcome.
