Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe boosted by midfield options
Cherries boss Eddie Howe admits an increase in central midfield options is giving him a welcome selection dilemma.[LNB] Howe shuffled his pack when injury to Sammy Igoe saw him split regular pair Danny Hollands and Anton Robinson for Cherries' 1-1 draw at Bradford six days ago.[LNB] The switch saw Marvin Bartley earn a recall to the Cherries engine room with his impressive display alongside Robinson giving Howe further food for thought.[LNB] And with Igoe in contention to return against Macclesfield and Joe Partington also named in the squad, Howe has the rare luxury of alternatives to ponder.[LNB] He told the Daily Echo: It's tough to pick a midfield at the moment but that's what I want. I want people knocking on the door and proving they deserve to stay in the side when they get an opportunity.[LNB] Competition in central midfield is hotting up and everybody in that area knows they are going to have to be at the top of their game to keep their place.[LNB] Discussing Bartley's performance at Bradford, his first start for five weeks, Howe added: He came in and performed as though he had been playing week in, week out. It was testament to how he looks after himself and how fit he is.[LNB] He has had to be patient and show the right attitude and I think he's done that. I thought he played very well. He slotted in to midfield and was pivotal to a good performance.[LNB] Howe knows Cherries will need to be on their mettle if they are to repeat last season's 2-0 win over Macclesfield at Moss Rose in March. Since losing four of their opening eight league encounters, the 17th-placed Silkmen have lost only one of their past eight.[LNB] They are a very hard-working and strong outfit, said Howe. We watched them win at Cheltenham last month and they were excellent. They passed the ball around really well.[LNB] We came away with a good result last season but it's always a difficult place to go. The crowd are close to the pitch and the ground is open to the elements.[LNB] The visit to south Cheshire brings to an end three successive long-haul trips for Howe's men. He added: It's another long journey and will be a test of attitude.[LNB] It's been a tough sequence of games but the players have responded really well. Our supporters have been incredible considering how far they have had to travel.[LNB] It does take it out of the lads and they have to recover during the week. In terms of training, we have taken things slightly easier towards the end of the week because, otherwise, players would not be at their best.[LNB] Cherries: (from) Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce, Garry, Cummings, Feeney, Bartley, Robinson, Hollands, Pitman, Connell, Fletcher, Goulding, Partington, Igoe, McQuoid, Thomas.[LNB] Silkmen: (from) Brain, Tremarco, Morgan, Brisley, Reid, Bell, Draper, Daniel, Bencherif, Sinclair, Sappleton, Bolland, Tipton, Wright, Veiga, Brown, Lowe, Rooney.[LNB]
