Dream Debuts!

On 18 February 2011, AFC Bournemouth were able to unveil the signing of young Russian midfielder Anton Sosnin from Zenit. He cost the club £100k + Papa Waigo. Waigo was deemed surplus to requirements after scoring only 8 goals in 32 appearances for the club. This, coupled with the outstanding form of new signings Danny Graham and Bradley Wright-Phillips, only added to the reasons to show Waigo the door.

Three days later, on 21st February, Bournemouth also confirmed the signature of defender Fitz Hall. Hall signed on a 2 year contract, rumoured to be around £12,000 a week. Injury-hit centre-back Calum Davenport and Martyn Lancaster were traded to secure the services of the former QPR player.

Manager Darren Hancock had this to say on both his new acquisitions before the game against Leyton Orient on Wednesday. "Anton has a very bright future ahead of him. I believe he is strongest playing just behind the striker but we are trying to get him to play in the middle of the park. His passing range is fantastic and he can arrive in to the box perfectly to finish a move he started. Fitz is possibly an even bigger player for us to have on board. He brings quality along the back line. He can mark, tackle, head, pass, score. Everything a good centre-back possesses. Both players haven't played in this game world yet and I'm sure they will leave their marks for AFC Bournemouth."

Both players were in line to start and make their debuts in the game against Leyton Orient along with young Welshman Lee Lucas. The game was played at a very fast pace, end-to-end in the first half with both teams looking capable to take the lead. In the second half, Bournemouth looked to use the home crowd to their advantage as the fans started to find their voices. On 64 minutes a Danny Graham cross was converted no more than a yard out by Anton Sosnin. Cue delyrium in the home stands as they now had a new superstar to hail. The joy was short-lived though. Orient equalised minutes later through Marcos Gullon. Straight from the restart from the Orient goal, Bournemouth winger Michael Lahoud picked up the ball on the right, stepped inside the full-back and curled the ball past the onlooking goalkeeper into the corner of the net. The scoreline stayed like that until the final whistle where Bournemouth had gained a valuable 3 points.

Hancock had this to say on the win. "I thought we just about deserved that. We kept the ball well in the latter stages and saw out the lead, something we need to keep doing now. The debutants done just as I expected, carried out their jobs very efficiently. Danny Graham was great again tonight. He continues to prove his worth for this club. Last mention for the fans, keep it up, second half they were superb and really helped us out."

Fans are hoping to see more of the same from these players in the coming weeks after this dream debut.