At the end of January, Bournemouth opened a path through the stratosphere, apparently on an unstoppable journey and propelled by rockets in Dreamland – an unfathomable place in the Champions League.
At the end of February, the cherries woke up with a shock, with their more pessimistic followers wondering if they rail only to the middle of the table on a rail replacement bus service.
As always, the truth is very likely somewhere between these two points of view.
Having sailed in January with four victories and a draw, collecting the manager, the player and the goal of the month of the Premier League on the way, February was Cueller.
In addition to advancing the FA Cup against Evertonand kill a Southamptonbat Liverpool,, Wolves And Brighton dropped the cherries from the fifth to the seventh, with the prospect of losing more land on the first five on Wednesday.
A more immediate concern is that in spite of some players to injure themselves, Andoni Iraola’s team is now stretched in a few positions, Illia Zabarnyi sitting two more games thanks to the suspension and Ryan Christie – It is still caution far from a two-match Ban- Box in Brighton on Tuesday with a problem with the groin.
Thus, the return visit of Saturday by Wolves in the FA Cup is an opportunity for Iraola to make some changes. The same goes for visitors, whose priorities surely reside to increase the gap between them and the last three.
But do not be mistaken, Bournemouth is still in a position for which most fans have bitten their own hands, not to mention anyone else, to be after 27 championship games.
Justin Kluivert, by scoring another competitor for his personal goal of the season’s competition on Tuesday, also inaugurated a new field by becoming the first cherry player to score 10 goals outside in a season of Premier League.
He told BBC Radio Solent that Bournemouth “had played a good game, especially in the second half where we have created a lot of chance, but we must be more dangerous in these areas”.
Another point of view was given by the old Tottenham And Nottingham Forest Midfielder Andy Reid on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s just a little blow for Bournemouth,” said the former Republic of Ireland International.
“They are a good side and bounce back. They made an incredible race before these recent games, (therefore) were required to hit a bump.”
Will Reid be proven-can Iraola’s men reset their upwards? It should be an interesting watch anyway.