Cherries: Howe hails squad's professionalism

28 October 2010 07:00
BOSS Eddie Howe believes the model professionalism coursing through the Cherries squad is helping ease the disappointment and frustration of some of his players.[LNB] Howe admits his summer strengthening of the club's playing staff has forced him to make a number of difficult selection decisions this season. His dilemma has been highlighted by Cherries' impressive showing at reserve level, with no fewer than eight pros included in the midweek win at Swindon.[LNB] Cherries' unbeaten start to their Football Combination campaign is a far cry from last season when they finished a distant last in the Wales and West Division.[LNB] A dearth of players, brought on by the club's ongoing transfer embargo, left reserve team boss Joe Roach to field mostly first and second-year trainees during 2009-10.[LNB] However, with his resources bolstered by an injection of new blood and Cherries having made a flying start in League One, Howe has had the luxury of added options. He told the Daily Echo: First and foremost, we've got a very professional group of players and they all want the team and the club to do well.[LNB] Everyone wants to play and to be in the starting line-up. I have had to leave out some very good players and they have reacted really well to the disappointment.[LNB] The team spirit that we had last season has remained and that is testament to the character of the lads and how they have responded to any setbacks.[LNB] It's very much a squad game now. We are going to need everybody pulling in the same direction and everybody wanting the same result. So far, we have had that.[LNB] Howe pointed to Danny Hollands as a prime example of how players need to be ready when called upon. A key member of last season's promotion, the midfielder only managed to force his way into the team last month and has produced a series of excellent displays.[LNB] Players always need to be ready to come in because football can change in the blink of an eye, said Howe.[LNB] One minute you are not in the team and, the next, you are. Then you have got to keep performing to stay in the team. It can all change so quickly.[LNB] We had to improve the strength in depth of the squad and I think we have. We've got competition for places in near enough every position. That's having a knock-on effect because everybody has to perform to keep their place.[LNB] Everyone is being pushed and, as a consequence, the reserve team has certainly got stronger and that was important, especially with the step up, because we needed to be more competitive.[LNB] Every reserve game I've been to this season I've really enjoyed because we've played some great football and the attitude of the lads has been first class.[LNB] Meanwhile, Howe said he hoped both Michael Symes (shoulder) and Ryan Garry (ankle) would be in contention to face Colchester United on Saturday, even though their respective training schedules this week had been affected by their injuries.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo