Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pearce focused despite Howe speculation
CAPTAIN Jason Pearce has vowed that Cherries' focus will be firmly on today's opponents Plymouth rather than off-field conjecture.[LNB] Dean Court boss Eddie Howe has this week been heavily linked with the managerial vacancy at Crystal Palace.[LNB] Cherries are understood to have reluctantly given permission for the Eagles to speak to the 33-year-old.[LNB] Although neither Howe nor chairman Eddie Mitchell has confirmed an approach, the Echo understands the Cherries boss has already held talks with the Championship outfit.[LNB] But despite the highly-rated boss being the frontrunner for the Selhurst Park hot-seat, Pearce insisted it was business as usual for his side.[LNB] He told the Echo: There has been loads of speculation throughout the season of other jobs. You know it's there but you just get on with the job at hand.[LNB] We've just got to concentrate on what we have to do and the only thing we're thinking about is the Plymouth game.[LNB] Eddie and Jason are still here and that's all that matters at the moment.[LNB] We've got a massive game against Plymouth, we need to get three points and that's what we're focusing on.[LNB] Discussing Howe, he added: I've got great respect for him and, hopefully, he's got respect for me as a player as well. There is mutual respect there.[LNB] He has helped me throughout my career when he was coach (during Kevin Bond's reign) and then as manager he made me captain.[LNB] It is a great honour and a great privilege to work under him.[LNB] Pearce has been a key factor in Cherries' promising start to life in League One and he is hoping they can maintain their momentum during the business end of the campaign.[LNB] He is looking forward to this afternoon's game, where he will be come up against Argyle hotshot Bradley Wright-Phillips, reportedly a transfer target for top-flight Blackpool.[LNB] Having kept Swindon's highly rated Charlie Austin quiet last week, the defender is looking forward to his latest challenge.[LNB] Pearce added: He has been linked with a Premier League club and has a lot of talent.[LNB] I've never played against him before so I hope he plays and I relish the opportunity to play against him.[LNB]
