Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Ever-present Pitman earns Howe praise
BOSS Eddie Howe has given star pupil Brett Pitman a glowing report for his attendance record in the League Two school of hard knocks.[LNB] The striker became only the second outfield player in the past 11 years to line up in all 46 league games for Cherries during a season.[LNB] Pitman, who netted 28 goals in 50 league and cup appearances, matched a feat last achieved by James Hayter in 2005-06.[LNB] And since Mark Newson and Sean O'Driscoll played every league game in 1986-87, only five other outfield players have been ever present in the past 24 seasons.[LNB] Pitman joins a list which includes Hayter, Luther Blissett (1989-90), Shaun Teale (90-91), Matt Holmes (91-92), Alex Watson (92-93) and Ian Cox (97-98 and 98-99).[LNB] Howe told the Daily Echo: It was a great achievement. Brett managed to keep himself fit and healthy all season, which was a feat in itself.[LNB] Brett deserves a great deal of credit for showing the attitude and desire to play those games and to maintain his standards.[LNB] A few centre-halves set out to try to stamp their authority on him but he didn't let anybody dictate to him.[LNB] Physically, he stood up well to the rigours of League Two and, as everyone knows, it can be a brutal league. In that respect, I think he grew up a lot during the season.[LNB] Several goalkeepers have remained ever present since Gerry Peyton became the third member of Cherries' title-winning squad of 1986-87 to play every league game Vince Bartram (91-92), Jimmy Glass (97-98), Mark Ovendale (98-99) and Neil Moss (03-04 and 04-05).[LNB]
