Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe can't wait for season openers
BOSS Eddie Howe has described Cherries' tough start to the new campaign as a blessing in disguise.[LNB] Newly-promoted Cherries open their League One programme with a visit to much-fancied Charlton Athletic tomorrow (3pm).[LNB] And following their trip to the Valley, Howe's men head to Southampton in the first round of the Carling Cup before hosting Peterborough in the league on 14 August. Howe told the Daily Echo: We're not setting ourselves any targets, as such. We're just going to concentrate on the first few games and see where they take us.[LNB] We want to have a good season and we want to achieve similar things to last season. Whether or not that is going to be possible, only time will tell. But we go into the season in a positive frame of mind and are looking forward to the challenge.[LNB] The lads have trained hard and have done very well in the pre-season games. They look very fit and everything is positive on that side of things. There is a buzz around and there is also the expectation that comes with the first game.[LNB] We are going into a more difficult league, a league full of top teams, so it will be harder for us this season and our start reflects that. We probably couldn't have asked for a tougher start but, in some senses, that can be a good thing. I know I can't wait and the players are the same.[LNB] Relegated from the Premier League just three years ago, Charlton lost out to Swindon in the League One play-off semi-final in May. Howe's men, however, will be buoyed by their start to last season when an opening-day victory at Bury provided the platform for eight League Two wins in their first nine games.[LNB] If you were to ask the players who they would prefer to play, I am sure they would say the best teams possible, said Howe. It's what you work hard for and are in the game for.[LNB] In any walk of life, you should strive to get to the top and we moved a step closer to that by winning promotion. It was fantastic for everybody.[LNB] During a season, you are going to have setbacks and disappointments. But as long as we can recover from them, I'm sure we will be fine.[LNB] Howe, who watched Charlton during pre-season, added: A lot has been made of their financial difficulties but, make no mistake, they are a very good side.[LNB] They finished fourth last season and lost out in the play-offs. I watched those games and was impressed with them. They have lost a couple of players but have brought in some good ones as well.[LNB] We could not have asked for a sterner test in our first two games. If we can hit the levels from pre-season and perform like we did, we will have a chance.[LNB]
