With the Summer transfer window now behind us, Cherries ever popular right back, Simon Francis, goes on record on how important it was to keep the existing squad together.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo, Francis is quoted as saying: "I wouldn’t have said anybody in the squad was looking to leave and it was vital we kept everyone together. I think the manager has the right blend and the right number of players. I am sure he was looking for additions and we got one in Andrew Surman who we all know really well. He did really well for us last season, especially at the back-end when I thought he was one of our best players. He will come back into the squad and fight for his place. He is a top-class player and I think we were fortunate to get him from Norwich because he will be an important player for us. Maybe other clubs might still think we are little old Bournemouth, coming in and enquiring about players or making bids. In reality, the club does not need to sell. They have a lot of financial backing now and can afford to keep players. Myself and Steve Cook signed new deals in the summer and it shows how far the club has come that they can offer contracts to players who there has been a bit of interest in. I was more than happy to stay. Everyone knows how much I enjoy it here and I was delighted to sign a new deal and I am sure Cookie was the same. If the manager is looking at keeping other lads for the longer term then I am sure they would be the same. This club is only going one way and that is up. I think we have seen that over the past couple of seasons.”