Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Eddie flattered by interest in players
BOSS Eddie Howe describes transfer speculation linking his current crop of rising stars as a compliment but insists Cherries impressive start is down to a team effort.[LNB] Howe was responding after one leading national newspaper this week claimed defender Jason Pearce could be a target for Premier League Wolves.[LNB] Stand-in skipper Pearce has undeniably been a key figure as Cherries have opened their League Two campaign with three successive victories.[LNB] But the combative 21-year-old is among a clutch of potential prize assets to have starred and made eye-catching progress under Howes tutelage.[LNB] However, although Cherries parlous financial position leaves them vulnerable while the transfer window remains ajar, Howe believes it would be unfair to single out any player.[LNB] He told the Daily Echo: Bournemouth players have always been sought after down the years and transfer speculation goes with the territory.[LNB] As a player, it is always nice to be linked with other clubs because it means you are doing something right on the pitch.[LNB] From that point of view, it is good for the boys and good for the club because it means we are doing something right and, hopefully, we can continue to get positive results.[LNB] First and foremost, I hope the players are happy and enjoying their football which I think they are. I dont think there is anyone in the squad who is looking at anything else.[LNB] From that side of things, I want to keep everyone happy, keep everyone together, keep everyone focused on the job in hand and let any other speculation go over their heads.[LNB] We have started well because we have performed well as a team. Every manager will tell you its not about one or two individuals, its about the team.[LNB] We are performing well throughout the side and it would be difficult to pick out one or two individuals.[LNB] Although Sammy Igoe is one player who is likely to remain at Dean Court after the window has closed, the midfielder was once the subject of a £100,000 move when he left Portsmouth for Reading in 2000.[LNB] Asked by the Daily Echo whether the prospect of the squad being further weakened by a player sale was a concern, Igoe replied: I dont think anyone has thought about it. I dont know whether the management has, but the players havent.[LNB] Were all totally focused on trying to achieve something this season. Hopefully, we wont lose anybody because the team is doing really well at the moment.[LNB] We have got some good players and, when the team is doing well, it is well known people will have a look. Im sure people have already done that but none of us are thinking about it.[LNB] Cherries: (from) Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce, Garry, Cummings, Feeney, Molesley, Robinson, Igoe, Fletcher, Pitman, Guyett, McQuoid, Connell, Partington, Bartley, Webb, Pryce.[LNB] Northampton: (from) Dunn, Rodgers, McCready, Beckwith, Hinton, Curtis, Holt, Gilligan, Marshall, Guinan, Akinfenwa, Mckay, Walker, Dyer, Benjamin, Jacobs, Rose, Jackman.[LNB]
