English Premier League: Build-up to the Cherries vs the Cottagers
A New Secret Weapon for the Cherries?
Much has been discussed about the Cherries' defensive strength despite a significant reshuffle in their defense, but it was an attacking recruit who made the headlines in the fixture against Leeds.
Eli Junior Kroupi was brought in to add cover for top scorer the Brazilian forward in the team's attack, and it was his late finish that won Iraola's side a crucial draw in an away fixture.
Kroupi bagged an remarkable thirteen goals in as many games for Lorient last season, which assisted the side in achieving moving up back to the first division in France.
Transitioning from the France's second division to the EPL was always likely to prove a hard task and, as predicted, he has thus far been limited to an super-sub.
His entry at the recent match was during the Cherries embracing a ‘throw the kitchen sink at it’ strategy, but his coolness to rifle home during injury time could emerge as a key asset in future.
A consistent goalscorer will know where the net is at any level and he showed that with the way he got into place and comfortably swept home at the crucial moment – a major occasion for him.
Will the striker earn a starting role following his influence on matchday? Maybe. But one thing is certain, Andoni Iraola's side have discovered another cog in Iraola's smoothly running system.
