Junior Stanislas finding his feet just at the right time in a Bournemouth shirt

Credit: The Athletic

26th June, 2014. Junior Stanislas makes the move from Burnley to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth after turning down a new contract offer at Clarets to be reunited with Howe who he had previously played under at Turf Moor.

It didn’t take long for the Englishman to make his Cherries’ debut after signing, this came on the 9th August, replacing Mark Pugh in added time as Howe’s men romped to a 4-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the season.

A matter of weeks later, Stanislas had his first goal in front of the Cherries’ faithful in a win over Brentford at Dean Court in his full home debut but he found life tough after that, only going onto make 13 appearances across the season as Howe led the Cherries to the Championship title and their first ever promotion to the Premier League.

He was more involved in the club’s first season in the top flight, appearing in 25 matches in all competitons, finding himself on the scoresheet five times as he looked to make a name for himself following a season of frustration following his move from Burnley.

Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Stanislas struggled with injuries for a large part of Bournemouth’s time in the Premier League which came to an end last season despite beating Everton on the final day of the season and only made 99 Premier League appearances the whole time the club was in the division, many felt he would move on following the relegation.

Despite only featuring 17 times in the entirety of last season, Stanislas did everything he could to ensure the Cherries remained in the division, scoring three goals in the final five matches of the season in project restart – including netting on the final day in the 3-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park.

However, the 31-year-old got his head down in the short break between the end of the 2019-2020 season and the start of this season, the winger started the opening day victory over Blackburn Rovers, supplying the assist for the Cherries’ opening goal of the season – scored by Jack Stacey.

Just when you thought the West Ham academy graduate was going to pick up where he left of from the backend of last season, he picked up and injury which saw him sidelined until the middle of October, returning for the goalless with draw with QPR.

Then came a run of seven games without a goal for the Englishman but he didn’t let this affect his confidence, with the Cherries making it eight matches unbeaten before he scored his first goals of the campaign.

These goals came in the very next fixture, scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest which continued Tindall’s sides unbeaten start to the season before the winger went onto score seven goals in nine games including a recent late winner at Stoke City to help keep the pressure on those above them at the top of the second tier.

7⃣ goals in his last 9⃣ games…

How important was this one from Junior Stanislas on Saturday?! ??

— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) January 4, 2021

His performances of late have been exceptional and he will be vital if the club are to make an immediate return to the Premier League, something which isn’t easy to do as many clubs have proved in the past.

Bournemouth head coach Tindall was very complimentary of the winger in his programme notes ahead of the 1-0 win over Millwall this evening.

“Junior Stanislas netted the winner in that game (Stoke) which made it six goals in six games for him and I’ve been really impressed with his all-round contribution.

“He’s physically in a good place and I’ve never doubted the quality that he brings to the team. It’s really good to se him scoring consistently.”

After being able to stay injury free for the main this season, it has allowed the 31-year-old to already equal his best goal tally in a Bournemouth shirt and is just one of four players who remain at the club from the promotion season of 2014-15.

? “I wouldn’t say I’m numb to it, but it’s becoming all too familiar really. It’s disgusting.”

? “I had to explain to my 9 year old twins what had happened.”

Bournemouth winger Junior Stanislas speaks to @markmcadamtv about the racist abuse he suffered this week. pic.twitter.com/B6krrwUnJx

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 6, 2021

Despite his strong performances on the pitch, Stanislas hasn’t had things easy off the pitch being the subject of racist abuse recently, something which he tried avoid but he came out and fronted up about it in a recent interview.

Stanislas is approaching a landmark appearance for the club after featuring in tonight’s draw against the Lions in which he supplied the assist for Dom Solanke’s goal,  he is now just two games away from reaching 150 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions and continues to be a massive player for Tindall and will be for the remainder of the season.

However, there is a bit of concern with the winger after he limped of in the draw with Millwall this evening, it would be a real shame to see him sidelined for a long period of time.