Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: McQuoid welcomes extra pressure
JOSH McQuoid accepts he will now carry an extra weight of expectation on his shoulders but believes he can thrive under the pressure.[LNB] Cherries' hotshot striker reported for training at Dean Court yesterday after returning from Belfast, where he made his full international debut on Wednesday night.[LNB] McQuoid impressed after being handed his first senior cap by Nigel Worthington winning the late penalty from which Northern Ireland earned a 1-1 draw against Morocco.[LNB] The eye-catching performance continued his exceptional form following consecutive hat-tricks in Cherries' past two matches.[LNB] McQuoid, who is in negotiations over a new Dean Court deal after signing a one-year contract in May, has found himself the subject of much media attention following his goalscoring exploits.[LNB] The 20-year-old admits there will be increased expectation when he next steps on to the field but, speaking ahead of the trip to Leyton Orient tomorrow, the club's 11-goal leading marksman insisted that was something he welcomed.[LNB] The youth team graduate told the Echo: It's good that people are noticing me but I'll just take it as it comes.[LNB] All I do is just concentrate on playing football.[LNB] People will expect certain things from me but I think that's a good pressure to have.[LNB] I'll take it on board and try to use it in my favour. I think pressure works well for me.[LNB] I can still improve as a player and scoring goals comes with that.[LNB] People expect me to be scoring after the form I've been in and I welcome that.[LNB] He added: When I hit that dry patch earlier this season, I was never worried because I knew the manager had faith in me.[LNB] He told me to just keep playing well and I would score and that's what happened. The gaffer and the players are a massive help they never let anyone let their head drop, which I think is a credit to the team and the manager.[LNB] McQuoid's boss is confident his emerging star will be unflustered by the spotlight in the wake of his recent achievements.[LNB] He's very level-headed and he doesn't let anything really faze him, said Howe.[LNB] He's got a steely determination about him and a desire to improve and get better, and a desire to, hopefully, make a name for himself in the game.[LNB] He's going the right way about it and I don't think Josh will change. I don't see that being a problem at all.[LNB]
