Eddie Howe has hailed the way rising star Gavin Kilkenny has “attacked” his breakthrough season at Cherries. The boss revealed how he “saw something” in the young Dubliner during pre-season, which sparked his integration to the first-team group.
Eddie Howe said “It’s a massive moment for him because I think it’s further evidence that we believe in him, we like him. It’s a confidence boost. He will feel like he belongs a little bit more in and around the players he is training and playing with. He’s done very well since pre-season really. He really has attacked it, he’s given everything, he’s grown with the challenges we have given him. I have been very pleased with his mindset. It’s hugely important when you give players opportunities that they take them. We saw something in him. I think we did a couple of training sessions early on in pre-season and he really stood out. From that moment we have taken him with us pretty much every day. He’s improved, kept his attitude and work-ethic the same – he’s got a bright future if he can continue along that path.”
Howe insisted the deal to secure the gifted midfielder’s future to Vitality Stadium showed the club’s belief in the Ireland under-21 star.
While Harry Wilson admits he is delighted to see Liverpool flying high at the top of the Premier League – the winger has an almost completely different battle on his hands to that of his parent club.
Harry Wilson said “As a Liverpool player and Liverpool fan I’m delighted to see them doing so well but my focus is on Bournemouth and staying in the Premier League,” the 22-year-old told the Daily Echo. Whatever position you are in you have got to do your best to overcome that and that’s what I am doing. Every game I go into I want to score and help the team and that’s what I will keep continuing to do. Of course, the past couple of weeks we (Cherries) were happy with the results we got, and the performances had been good as well. We were just disappointed we just couldn’t capitalise on the first 30 minutes at Sheffield United. I thought we were adamant we shouldn’t lose that game, although maybe we didn’t quite do enough to win it in the second half.”
Wales international Wilson played 72 minutes of the defeat at Bramall Lane, a 2-1 reverse which ensured Cherries remained in a relegation dogfight. But, despite this season being his inaugural taste of the Premier League, it is not the first time Wilson has been in a battle to beat the drop. The Wrexham-born star was loaned to Hull in January 2018, the same day as he signed a fresh long-term contract at Anfield.
Eddie Howe insists Cherries are going to “take our time” with the recovery of Arnaut Danjuma.
Eddie Howe said “He’s okay, he’s in a good place. He’s come back. He’s had specialist treatment, he’s understandably been very frustrated by his injury. It’s a type of injury that it’s a slow process for him. So you can feel free of the injury but you have to take your training steps very slowly. You have to build up your load otherwise he has the potential to re-injure himself so it can be frustrating for him. He’s in the early stages now of beginning to run on the grass again, but we are going to have to take our time with him, so we’ll wait and see when he’s back.”
Danjuma admitted it has been tough to cope with the setback as he keeps his eyes firmly on a spot in the Netherlands squad for this summer’s European Championship, having already played twice and scored once for the national side.
Arnaut Danjuma said ” If I show what I’m capable of then I would hope to be selected. With the qualities I have, I can perform for my club and my country. I think I could add value to the team here and for the Dutch national team. In my opinion, quality is permanent so I’m just seeing this as a little setback and am planning on making a major comeback. With my personality, I’m very eager and hungry to perform for the club and just feel I haven’t shown what I’m capable of. That is still bothering me. But on the other hand, I’m confident I’ve got enough time to show the fans what I’m capable of and am feeling very positive because that’s always my mindset.”
The Dutchman has not featured since suffering a stress fracture in his foot during a match against Liverpool in December.
