Thursday 6 August 2015 20:49, UK
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has admitted that deciding on a starting XI ahead of the club's first Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday will be the "hardest team selection" he has ever had to make.
Howe has assembled a group with strength in depth, adding the likes of St Etienne winger Max Gradel, Middlesbrough forward Lee Tomlin, Ipswich defender Tyrone Mings and French defender Sylvain Distin from Everton to his squad over the summer.
Last season’s Championship winners have also made a bid for Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray, according to Sky sources.
However, Howe, last season’s LMA manager of the year, admitted that he still has decisions to make regarding team selection for the club’s bow in England’s top flight.
“I haven’t finalised the team in my head,” Howe said.
“There are still a few decisions to be made. That’s healthy though because it means the players have pushed each other to make my selection tough.
“It’s going to be the hardest team selection I’ve ever had to make because everyone wants to put the shirt on for such a historic game.”
Howe said he is expecting a tough first game at home to Villa and believes manager Tim Sherwood has done an excellent job at the club since taking over in February, guiding the side to the FA Cup final and securing their Premier League status.
“Tim is an outstanding manager and I think he proved that at the back end of last season,” he said.
“They’ve obviously had to sell a lot of players but I think they’ve also invested very wisely. We are under no illusions; we are expecting a very difficult first game.”
