Cherries boss believes in new captain's character

05 January 2010 07:00
MANAGER Eddie Howe has called on Jason Pearce to embrace the challenge after naming the central defender as Cherries' skipper in a new year captaincy shake-up.[LNB] In a fresh structure, Pearce takes on the armband from Danny Hollands, while iconic forward Steve Fletcher has been handed the ambassadorial role of club captain.[LNB] Fearsome centre-half Pearce, nicknamed Terminator for his all-action style, has continued to build a big reputation this season with a string of solid performances.[LNB] And Howe sees him as the perfect player to lead the team as they pursue League Two promotion in the second half of the campaign.[LNB] He told the Echo: His performances this season have been excellent and I think he leads by example every single day. His attitude is spot on in training every day.[LNB] He prepares himself very, very well and he does everything by the book.[LNB] He absolutely trains like he plays. He is wholehearted and doesn't take any prisoners.[LNB] He goes all out to win in whatever he does and it is that attitude which has brought him the success he has had in the past couple of years.[LNB] Now the challenge for him is to improve and get better with this new role and added responsibility.[LNB] Howe now wants Hollands, who replaced injured Shaun Cooper as captain in the summer, to concentrate solely on rediscovering the form which made him an influential player in the club's relegation escape last season.[LNB] We want Danny just to concentrate on his football, said Howe.[LNB] He's such a key player in the side and was the heartbeat of the team last season.[LNB] Danny is still a very important member of the team. I think these changes will benefit the side.[LNB] Record appearance-maker Fletcher will now assume the title of club captain, a role which will see him as Cherries' figurehead off the pitch, lessening the burden on his young team-mate Pearce.[LNB] I think he's an ambassador, said Howe. When you think of AFC Bournemouth, you think of Fletch.[LNB] The role gives him added responsibility. He leads his life in the right manner and, like Jason, he is a good role model for the youth team players and young professionals.[LNB] I think he can be a real figurehead for the club. It will enable Jason to concentrate on the team and leading that side of things.[LNB] Pearce, who claimed a clean sweep of player of the year awards last season, has already captained Cherries on numerous occasions since joining the club from Portsmouth in August 2007.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo