Recent results appear to be dragging Bournemouth ever closer to the murky waters of a relegation scrap. though their business in the January transfer window could well be enough to ensure their survival.

£12m man Benik Afobe has largely shrugged off suggestions he was overpriced, by scoring three crucial goals in his opening six games on the South Coast.

Norwich striker Lewis Grabban returned to the Vitality Stadium in an £8m deal, while Roma winger Juan Iturbe joined on loan for the rest of the season. At last, goals have been into a side that had struggled to convert their swathes of possession into anything remotely resembling lethal finishing.

The Cherries have been commended for their insistence on playing with their specific style, despite a plethora of injuries constantly undermining their attempts to retain Premier League status.

While they have put themselves in the rather enviable position of 15th, they remain just four points off safety with a tough run in ahead.

The decision makers at the club clearly backed their manager over the course of the window, but will it be enough? There could be arguments made for both Newcastle and Sunderland boasting better squads than Eddie Howe has at his disposal.

Obviously, having more established names in the squad on paper does very little when it comes to battle on the field of play. Bournemouth are the ultimate underdogs of course. Still, it’s not something to write off completely, however harsh it may seem.

All things considered, perhaps we can speculate as to just how the South Coast side could have lined up after the January window. How would a few more signings effected their chances of survival?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, after all. So, Bournemouth, here’s the end of January XI you COULD have had…

GK: DAVID MARSHALL

Neither Artur Boruc nor Adam Federici have covered themselves in glory this term, with particularly the former struggling to shake off the inconsistencies that have been dogging him throughout his career.

Due to the nature of the way Bournemouth play at home, their custodian must boast high levels of concentration, as the Cherries look to hold on to the ball.

A move for Cardiff City stopper David Marshall was mooted last month, in what would have been a good for the club. The Scotland international impressed during the Bluebirds’ brief stint in the Premier League, earning a place in the Sky Sports Team of the Year.

An excellent shot stopper, the Scot would have introduced stability between the sticks.

RB: ADAM SMITH

As Eddie Howe places a lot of importance on his full-backs, Adam Smith remains an ever present in the side. He’s played in 25 games this season, making him one of the most consistent players at the Vitality Stadium.

Having chipped in with two goals too, the 24-year old right-back works well in the system deployed on the South Coast, pushing forward with aplomb.

CB: SIMON FRANCIS

A rock in the rearguard at Bournemouth and has been a stalwart with the club during their meteoric rise since 2011. Recently penned a new three-and-a-half year deal, outlining his importance to the Cherries.

Has captained the side in the absence of Tommy Elphick, playing in all 26 Premier League games at the heart of their defence.

CB: TOMMY ELPHICK

Perhaps Howe’s most trusted lieutenant return to the side is as important as any signing could have been.

Though Steve Cook has performed admirably in his absence, skipper Tommy Elphick has shaken off a long-term ankle injury in order to be back for the business end of the season.

His return affords the chance to deploy the aforementioned Francis in a more natural right-back role, though Adam Smith has impressed there.

Elphick’s organisational skills and marshalling of the defence will be crucial as the games start running out and backs edge closer to the wall.

LB: CHARLIE DANIELS

Tyrone Mings was one of FOUR Cherries stars to be cruelly struck down by injury, though Charlie Daniels has excelled at left-back as a result.

Naturally a left winger, his pulsating dribbles down the left flank and expert delivery create a real threat going forward. With two goals and five assists, the 29-year old is hugely important to the club’s cause.

DM: ANDREW SURMAN

There are more imposing ‘anchor men’ in the Premier League than Andrew Surman, though few are so important to their team’s overall style of play.

The 29-year old became the first player to have run over 300km this season, grafting in front of the defence in order to provide a protective shield.

His skill on the ball links the play together as Bournemouth constantly look to play out from the back.

RM: MATT RICHIE

Matt Ritchie has performed so well this season that he’s been linked with a move to Manchester United. The Scotland international is a robust winger, who poses a palpable threat from long range with his rasping shot.

Only teammate Andrew Surman and Gareth Barry have covered more ground than the former Swindon Town man this season, with his intense work rate a major part of his game.

CM: HARRY ARTER

With Surman putting out fires behind the central midfield pairing, Republic of Ireland international Harry Arter is afforded creativity in the middle of the park.

Combining graft and guile, the 26-year old is often the combative presence in the engine room to put a firm mark on proceedings. Starred in the win over Manchester United amid personal tragedy, a testament to his commitment.

CM: DAN GOSLING

Dan Gosling never quite made his mark at either Everton or Newcastle when big things were touted for him, particularly while on the books of the former.

However, the 25-year old has found his calling on the South Coast. He affords Arter creative licence in a similar way to Surman, making 1.4 interceptions and 2.4 tackles per 90 mins of Premier League action.

His short, simple passes are often timed perfectly, linking up well with the on rushing Charlie Daniels to his left, or Matt Richie to his right.

LM: STEPHAN EL SHAARAWY

Juan Iturbe has a lot to prove, and an argument could be made that the Paraguayan is not that well suited to the style of play at Bournemouth. The Roma star is a lot more effective on the counter, rather than any possession based tactic.

Max Gradel may soon return from injury, though the January window brought about links with Italian international Stephan El Shaarawy.

A stint with Monaco did not yield much success, but at 23-years of age, Il Faraone would have been an excellent signing.

While pace is one of his most dangerous attributes, the Italy star is comfortable on the ball and can drift inside to wreak havoc. With Daniels on the overlap, space could have been created from which he could weave his magic.

Ironically, he joined Roma as Iturbe’s replacement.

ST: BENIK AFOBE

Despite all his plundering in the Championship and League One, it took a while for Benik Afobe to get his chance in the Premier League.

At £12m, eyebrows had been raised when the 22-year old initially made his move from Wolves, having never had a real go of it in the top tier.

However, he has dispelled any suggestions his goalscoring prowess is simply limited to the lower tiers of English football, notching three goals in his six games thus far.

The former Arsenal trainee not only provides traditional centre-forward play, but also drops deep to win the ball back and drive his side forward.

Callum Wilson return before the end of the season, meaning the club have two excellent strikers at their disposal for the first time since promotion.