Newcastle United's upcoming clash with Bournemouth presents several reunions in the dugout and on the pitch. However, it is a fixture Ryan Fraser will likely be dreading given his acrimonious exit from the south coast two years ago.
The Scotland international impressed in the Premier League under Eddie Howe at the Vitality Stadium, and struck up a lethal partnership with future Magpies team-mate Callum Wilson in the 2018/19 season. However, the winger was unable to match this return of goals and assists in what proved to be his final campaign for the Cherries.
The Premier League was suspended in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and with his heart set on a move away, Fraser turned down a short-term contract extension and left as a free agent ahead of Project Restart. Eddie Howe's side ultimately suffered relegation, and the winger later admitted he was 'battered' for the decision.
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TalkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan branded Fraser a 'wretched individual' and a 'turd' for leaving Bournemouth after eight years with eight matches still to be played. The 28-year-old would go on to struggle under Steve Bruce at St James' Park, before being given a fresh start by his former boss following his appointment last season.
Howe dismissed talk of a lingering rift between the pair, insisting he was 'delighted' to once again be working with the winger. However, Dorset Live's AFC Bournemouth correspondent Daniel Davis is confident Fraser will be reminded of this 'ugly situation' by the away fans at St James' Park this Saturday.
Davis told ChronicleLive: "The way he left the club was nothing short of disgraceful, and he has rightly been criticised over the past couple of years. His critics labelled him spineless, and accused him of deserting his side when they needed him the most.
"There is no denying that the winger largely did the business for the Cherries, with Arsenal having sniffed around him at one point. His lung-bursting sprints and willingness to muck in saw him regularly praised, and that is what made the nature of his exit so disappointing.
"In his final season, his end product was lacking and the question marks over his long-term future contributed to an ugly situation. But these are not excuses for the way he abandoned Howe and his team-mates, and he will never be forgiven for this. Quite frankly, it is now impossible to reflect on his highlights at the Vitality without those memories being marred by his actions at the end of his contract."
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