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Following Adam Smith’s significant injury, which has ruled him out for around three months, 33-year-old Simon Francis has had to deputise in that position as cover.
Whilst Bournemouth’s number 2 is a capable performer and somewhat of a cult hero at the club, he is by no means a good enough replacement for the crocked Smith, and isn’t up to the required standard if Eddie Howe is to realise his aims of a European place.
Even when Smith recovers, the south coast side have just those two options for the right-back position, an area which desperately needs strengthening.
One man who has been arguably the outstanding right-back in the Premier League this season is Wolves’ Matt Doherty. The Irishman has two goals and three assists in 15 starts for last season’s Championship winners.
We asked Bournemouth fans if they’d like to see the 26-year-old at the Vitality Stadium, as a spot in the Europa League is becoming a real possibility thanks to the club’s excellent start to the season.
Tellingly, a whopping 82% of you said that you’d like to see Doherty in the red and black stripes, stating that he is just what the side needs as shown by the results below…
