Bournemouth hero Steve Cook has given over ten seasons and 300-odd games of service to his current side during his stay with them so far but with the defender not getting much gametime this campaign, he has admitted to UTCIAD (An AFC Bournemouth Fan Channel) that he 'can't say' about his future or what the plan is.

The club captain has been leading the side for a good few seasons now and has been with the club since he was just 20 years of age (and since the Cherries were in League One).

Bournemouth and the player have since been on a rollercoaster ride throughout the EFL and Premier League, having won promotion into the second tier and then gone up into the top flight as Championship title-winners.

 

 

They spent five campaigns in the Premier League, where Steve Cook featured regularly and looked solid at the back for the club but their ride in the top flight came to an end two seasons ago when they were demoted.

After managing an impressive 42 games for the club over the course of the last season, as the side bagged a play-off spot but ultimately missed out on promotion, he has struggled to break back into the side.

Under the leadership of Scott Parker he has been somewhat frozen out and hasn't been able to get a single minute of league action for the team as of yet during the current season.

It may mean the 30-year-old has to contemplate if his future lies elsewhere if he wants to continue getting regular minutes - but speaking to UTCIAD (An AFC Bournemouth Fan Channel) he admitted he couldn't say yet about about his future.

He said: "Obviously for myself at the moment, a really difficult time being out the team, out of the squad.

It’s really difficult for myself. I think I have missed 20 games in six years. I am probably approaching 20 games in one season at the moment. It’s definitely different for myself. Initially my future is, at the moment, I can’t say. There’s no real thoughts at the moment. I am kind of still desperate to contribute but we will see what happens."

Cook then may be a Bournemouth stalwart but if there continues to be a lack of gametime in the future for him with the Cherries, then the two parties may finally have to part ways so that he can pursue regular footballing action.

The Verdict

Steve Cook has been at the top of the game, reaching the heights of the Premier League and the top end of the Championship for ten seasons now. It is a superb feat and the work he has done at Bournemouth has been superb.

However, it appears as though the leader may no longer be a first-team feature with the Cherries under Scott Parker. If that remains the case, then he should certainly explore a move elsewhere, as he no doubt still has plenty to offer another team in defence.