FOR AFC Bournemouth supporters, there will be much to cherish and savour during this most eagerly-anticipated of seasons.

Trips to some of England’s biggest clubs, a high quality of football and the pride of watching their own compete in the rarefied surroundings of the second tier.

And while the formative days of this campaign have included all of those moments, one player has provided reasons to be cheerful all by himself.

That player is Ryan Fraser. Small in stature but big on talent, Eddie Howe appears to have unearthed another gem in the Wee Man.

There is something exciting, captivating even, about watching wingers. Cherries fans know all about the art.

From Wade Elliott to Maxi Gradel and Liam Feeney to Marc Pugh, there has been no shortage of flair on the flanks even in Dean Court’s most recent past.

But, in Fraser, Cherries may have landed somebody capable of surpassing many of his predecessors.

Students of the game will tell you there is no substitute for pace and if you buy into that theory, the £300,000 transfer fee splashed on Fraser looks an absolute steal.

Electrifying off the mark, there is plenty more than just searing speed to this young Scotsman.

There are plenty of tricks in the locker, while Fraser’s ability to cross with either foot will keep defenders guessing.

As a teenager, there is plenty of scope for improvement but even in the face of Cherries’ chastening 6-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday, Fraser emerged with plenty of credit for his first-half performance.

He will get a well-deserved opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage this week as part of the Scotland under-21 squad to face England.

Passionate Englishmen are unlikely to ever root for a Scottish football side but for those with a BH postcode, Fraser could provide a rare exception to the rule.

Because this son of the Saltire now resides on the south coast and, for that, Cherries fans should be extremely grateful.

  • Sick of the Suarez saga? Then thank goodness for Tommy Elphick.

While Luis Suarez’s relentless pursuit of a transfer continues to dominate the national back pages, Elphick’s recent words restored faith in the beautiful game.

The most eye-catching omission from Cherries’ team for the club’s season opener, the captain was clearly gutted to miss out.

His response...a transfer request? Toys out of the pram? Sulking? Not a chance.

Elphick donned the armband against Portsmouth and helped Cherries into the next round of the League Cup, with a clean sheet to boot.

Fronting up to the press afterwards, the central defender spoke with honesty, conveying the sort of professionalism one has come to expect.

He said: “If I start showing a bad attitude then who am I to look up to?”

If only everybody, in all professions and walks of life, could follow the same example.

  • What a difference a couple of games make. Just ask Lewis Grabban.

A tireless worker for the Cherries promotion cause last season, the goals dried up during the run-in.

Fast-forward to the start of this campaign and the striker has rediscovered that sought-after golden touch.

Of course, it is early days, but the frontman’s vocal critics are now conspicuous by their absence.

Goals will do that.