Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe keeping expectations in check
EDDIE Howe is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite his team yesterday securing a second consecutive League Two victory in impressive fashion.
Howes men have made a big impression already, defeating two of the divisions most fancied sides in the opening weeks of the season.
Having beaten Bury 3-0 in their first outing, Cherries continued to upset the odds with a deserved 1-0 victory over big-spending Rotherham at Dean Court yesterday.
A delighted Howe said: The lads gave me everything again.
I didnt think it was free flowing but I thought at times we played some good stuff.
We looked a threat going forward, despite only scoring one goal. Liam Feeney, Brett Pitman, Steve Fletcher and Sammy Igoe are all attacking players and they certainly had their moments.
When asked about how he is keeping expectations under control, the Cherries boss said: The players understand. A lot of them have been there before. Winning the first two games of the season means nothing. It means weve got off to a promising start, but thats all it is.
You go through saying the same things, but there is such a long way to go.
Im delighted how weve started and how were playing. I just hope we can keep the momentum going.
Rotherham manager Mark Robins added: It was always going to be a tough game. Theyve grown in confidence since Eddies taken charge. They certainly moved the ball well and they certainly caused us problems.
Although Cherries have started well, much of their hopes this season will depend on players steering clear of injuries, such is the size of Howes squad.
And the Cherries boss reported bad news on that front, with Jeff Goulding set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Marvin Bartley also struggling with a back problem.
Jeffs was a really strange one, Howe explained.
He was doing a bit of shooting practice on his own with no one near him and hes done something to his ankle. Hes going to have a scan and hes going to be out long term.
Marvin, again with nobody near him, felt his back spasm so well have to see how long hes going to be out for.
But its a blow with such a small squad. As everybody knows, when you lose players, especially of that quality, its going to hurt us.
It is unclear whether Ryan Garry will be fit to face Aldershot on Tuesday night after he suffered concussion in yesterdays victory.
The Cherries centre-half sustained the head injury before scoring the goal and he only realised he had headed the games only goal after being informed by his team-mates at half-time.
For a full match report and further reaction, see tomorrows Echo and online.
