It’s been very much an up and down campaign so far for AFC Bournemouth, an incredible start now marred by an 11 game winless run in the Premier League. 20 games in (just over halfway through the season), Andoni Iraola’s side have now played every team at least once (Chelsea twice), so I believe it is a good time to give every first team player a grading. When the season is over, it would be great to have a look back at these gradings, potentially changing them if needs be.

Please note, these gradings are relevant to each individual player and how I thought they would do, everyone is not held to the same standard

GOALKEEPERS

Djordje Petrovic: C-

It’s easy to forget that Petrovic had a strong start to his AFC Bournemouth career, with three clean sheets in the first five Premier League games, looking comfortable and commanding in the area. But there have been only two clean sheets since, and Petrovic has been particularly disappointing in the 11 game winless run. Statistically, he has been the second worst performing goalkeeper in the league in terms of shot stopping, plus his distribution leaves a lot to be desired (especially compared to Kepa). I genuinely believe that if he can find his confidence again then his grade will easily go up at the end of the season, but for £25M, it has been an underwhelming first half to the season for Petrovic.

Will Dennis + Fraser Forster: N/A

DEFENDERS

Marcos Senesi: B+

Senesi has had a good season on the whole, so it’s no wonder to see him linked with some massive clubs, such as Juventus and Barcelona. He has been a standout of the defence, despite the numerous goals conceded. Senesi isn’t the main reason for this, but he has had a few off games along the way, meaning he doesn’t quite get an ‘A’ for me.

Bafode Diakite: C-

Like Petrovic, Diakite’s grade isn’t lower because he had a solid start to life in a Bournemouth shirt. But during the winless streak, he has looked very questionable, seeming to lack the strength, presence and power needed to be a top PL centre back. His distribution looks shaky at times, and for a £35M man, a lot more was expected. Another disappointing start to the season for a summer signing, whose place in the side, for now, has been taken by James Hill. Looking through the games, there have been enough shown at points that means he doesn’t quite fall into a lower grade, but given the price tag, and those who came before him, we need more.

Adrien Truffert: B

Truffert made a brilliant start to the season, looking an excellent, more mature Milos Kerkez replacement. He cost just £14M, and in this day and age, that is value for money that you cannot argue with. However, like most, his levels have really dropped in this winless run, beginning to look suspect defensively without threatening much going the other way. An increasing amount of goals are coming from down the left hand side.

Alex Jimenez: A-

I had no real expectations of Jimenez, such is the fact that many right backs have been signed to try and displace Adam Smith, to very little success. Jimenez is on loan with an obligation to buy based on appearances, and given the way he has played recently, there is no doubts those conditions will be met. His discipline was an issue to begin with, but it’s clear he has worked on that, so full credit to him. Like many, he has had a couple of off days (Aston Villa away springing to mind), but in this winless run, he has been the main standout, including some good performances on the wing.

Adam Smith: B-

Smith has been solid when called upon, but has missed some time with injury, and has yet to find himself at his absolute best. Still, he remains a reliable option when called upon.

Veljko Milosavjlevic: B

We haven’t seen much from Veljko this season, but he is close to returning from a knee injury. B could seem high given the limited minutes he played, but he was signed as backup, and has looked good in the minutes we have seen. Had he not been injured, it likely would have been him replacing Diakite rather than James Hill.

James Hill: B

The perfect squad option, Hill has had an especially fruitful couple of games at centre back in the last two, despite goals still being conceded. He has shown he is more than capable of competing as a PL central defender, despite most his minutes this season beforehand coming at right back. Can’t ask for much more from a squad player.

Julio Soler: C

We have seen very little of Soler in the league, managing just 34 minutes across three PL appearances (no starts), so it’s hard to give him any higher or lower than a C. Might he want a loan this January? A temporary move to Watford is being strongly rumoured.

Julian Araujo: F

I know it was a cup game, but one appearance, one red card sums up Araujo’s time at the club. He was put in the match day squad on a few occasions afterwards, but only to make up the numbers. Now on loan at Celtic.

MIDFIELDERS

Tyler Adams: A

Some might be surprised with such a high rating, but for me, Adams was the most consistent performer in the side before his injury, never dropping below a 7/10. His presence has been missed since his MCL tear was sustained at Old Trafford. He is so important to the side. Extra marks for scoring from the halfway line at Sunderland as well.

Alex Scott: A-

Again, remember every grade is relevant to the player themselves. I did not have many expectations for Scott this season, given his main rival for minutes is last years POTS, Ryan Christie. That he was able to consistently and deservedly keep Christie out of the side when he was fit is full testament to Scott, who was rewarded with a first call up to the England senior side. He had a few low moments along the way, being hooked at half time two weeks in a row against West Ham and Sunderland, but there is no questioning his place in the team, whether he is playing in a deeper midfield role or slightly more advanced, he has come on leaps and bounds this season, owing to finally getting a good run of games.

Marcus Tavernier: C+

Tavernier has been solid, not spectacular, but is certainly a player who will divide opinion amongst the fanbase. He has filled in at a central midfield role at times, as well as behind the striker, and his favoured position on the wing. He works hard for the team, and whilst I don’t think he is at the level to be a regular starter for a team with the ambition we have, has been majorly (and unfairly) scapegoated at times by some. The Everton incident was a real low moment, though.

Lewis Cook: C+

A frustrating season for Cook, which took a while to get underway after an MCL injury sustained in pre-season. He has only started three games, including a phenomenal performance at centre back in the second half against West Ham. The grading isn’t particularly a reflection on him, just that we haven’t seen as much as we would have liked. Hopefully he can remain fit and get a good run of games under his belt in a busy January period.

Ryan Christie: C

Like Cook, Christie’s grade isn’t really reflective of performance levels, it’s more due to the fact we haven’t been able to see as much as we would have liked from him. Injury (and the performances of Alex Scott) has meant he has never got his season going, although I would love to see him back in the XI once he is deemed fit enough. Only one start this season and just 16 minutes since 22nd November. Was weirdly in the squad against Brentford despite not being fit enough to play and has missed the last two.

FORWARDS:

Antoine Semenyo: A+

Nine goals and three assists whilst hardly missing a minute, it would have been hard to ask for much more at the halfway stage from Semenyo. Yes, his form has dropped a bit, but where would this team be without him? Well, we are about to find out. He will be missed, such is his ability to create something from nothing or nab a goal despite a quiet performance – even his long throws will be a miss.

Evanilson: C

Evanilson’s performances haven’t been terrible, but he certainly hasn’t hit the same levels as last season. It took him a very long time to add his second PL goal of the season, with his first coming in August. Goals have finally come against Manchester United and Arsenal, and it’s not like there have been many glaring misses – but you expect more from our £40M striker. I predicted him to be our top scorer this season, and that almost certainly won’t be the case, so goals wise it has been a disappointing return. But, as I said, his overall play remains fairly good, he is still undoubtedly the starting striker of the team. He might not be as good a finisher as Junior Kroupi, but he leads the line better. Some people would give Evanilson a lower grade, which isn’t completely unfair, but he looks to be showcasing greater confidence in recent weeks.

Junior Kroupi: A

I had little to no expectations for Kroupi this season. Yes his goalscoring record at Lorient was eye catching, but most of those came in Ligue 2, a fairly low standard of professional football. He has gone far beyond exceeding my expectations already. Six league goals in just 510 minutes is phenomenal – that is a goal every 85 minutes, an even better ratio than Erling Haaland. Iraola has to figure out a way of getting him in the XI – I would love to see Kroupi start behind Evanilson, or Kroupi on the wing when Semenyo leaves (if he can do the hard defensive yards).

Justin Kluivert: C-

Kluivert has started to look sharper in the last few weeks – had he not, this could have been a lower grade. Yes, Kluivert could have the excuse that he had little to no pre-season due to a calf injury picked up in July. However, he was back by the second game of the season, and other than a spectacular strike against Fulham, looked nowhere near the levels he showed last season. As mentioned, he has looked sharper in the last few games, so it wouldn’t surprise me if his form does pick up now. Two goals and zero assists in 18 games does definitely need to be improved upon, though…

David Brooks: C+

Brooks started the season well, despite not picking up any goal contributions, and was rewarded with a new contract. As I feel I have written many times in this article, his form has tailed off, especially with the recent run. Starts have become inconsistent for Brooks but he is clearly still trusted for big minutes from Iraola, more so than recent seasons, and has captained the team multiple times. He recently scored his first goal of the season against Chelsea, which is hopefully a catalyst for bigger and better things to come.

Amine Adli: D+

Adli has only played 426 minutes in the league since his £25M arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, and outside of a brilliant debut off the bench against Wolves, and a good performance from the off against Sunderland, has failed to make an impact so far. Given the little minutes he has played, that may not entirely be his fault, but more is certainly needed from the Moroccan.

Enes Unal: C

Not much can be said about Unal, who across eight games has only managed 85 minutes since his return from a second ACL injury. His first touches since coming back being a goal against West Ham was a magic moment, but there hasn’t been much to shout about since. It wouldn’t surprise me if Unal looked for a move away this window, should the club allow it.

Ben Gannon-Doak: C-

This grade is probably more directed at the club than anything. I actually liked the cameos we were beginning to see from Gannon-Doak once he had won the trust of Iraola, although he did only manage 53 minutes across four PL appearances. Signing an injury prone player for £25M and for him to tear his hamstring, meaning a significant time on the sidelines, feels very AFC Bournemouth. There is a very talented player there – hopefully one we see more of when he returns from injury. His willingness to take on a man is very refreshing.

I’m sure lots will disagree with my gradings – but that is the beauty of football, the subjectivity of it all! Let me know what you think, and I look forward to revisiting these at the seasons end!