jermain made his first-team debut in a league cup match against walsall in september 2000, scoring in a 1–0 win. shortly thereafter, he joined second division club afc bournemouth on a near season-long loan, where he scored in ten consecutive matches, equalling john aldridge's and clarrie jordan's post-war record. he scored 18 goals in 29 league appearances for bournemouth. west ham manager harry redknapp tipped him for stardom, saying, "he's done great. i sent him out to bournemouth to get some experience playing league football and he's coped marvellously. to score 10 goals in 10 games is a terrific achievement. he's a bright lad who's full of confidence. nothing knocks him, he's a typical goal-scorer. if he misses, he'll be there the next time looking for a goal. he's a kid with a big future."