Bournemouth’s struggles at the start of the new Premier League season can perhaps be accurately summarised by the fortunes of striker Joshua King, who had failed to score in his first five matches.
The Norwegian international was by far their best player last season, scoring 16 goals in 36 Premier League games which included a hugely eye-catching run of 10 goals in the last 12 games of the year.
Something hasn’t quite clicked on the south coast so far in 2017-18 and, as a result, Bournemouth currently find themselves precariously placed in and around the relegation spots.
Whilst Saturday’s defeat away at fellow strugglers Everton would have no doubt frustrated manager Eddie Howe no end, he would have been quietly pleased to see King back scoring goals.
The 25-year-old picked up Charlie Daniels’ pass around 30-yards out before driving at the home defence with intent, shrugging off Mason Holgate’s challenge before firing low into the far corner.
It was a long-overdue goal and was certainly an impressive way to open his account for the new season but the big question now is, should King be worth considering for your Draft Fantasy team?
On the face of it, playing for a Bournemouth side that have only scored four goals in six top-flight encounters and are languishing at the bottom of the table does not particularly fill you with hope.
However, as has been seen time and time again in English football over the years, all it takes is to find the back of the net once for a forward to regain a sense of confidence in front of goal, and King’s skilful solo effort on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park could be the tonic that the Norwegian needs.
All of a sudden he was finding more space in front of the opposition defence, holding the ball up expertly and looking to feed Jermain Defoe in-behind, and there was a bit more hunger to his game.
Last season he showed that he has a clinical nature inside the area, scoring with 60% of his attempted shots, and he was a creative hub inside opposition territory by creating 30 chances.
The 2017-18 season hasn’t quite proven as fruitful for King so far but, with a home tie against Leicester City next weekend, he could be a shrewd – and widely unselected – attacking option.
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