Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pearce hopeful Pitman will stay after more transfer speculation
CAPTAIN Jason Pearce is hoping Cherries keep hold of their top stars after fresh speculation linked Brett Pitman with a transfer.[LNB] Pitman who spearheaded Cherries' promotion with 26 league goals last term is rumoured to be attracting the interest of Blackpool.[LNB] Reports yesterday linked the prolific striker with the Premier League new boys with talk of a £700,000 swoop for the 22-year-old. News of Blackpool's interest in Pitman was initially revealed exclusively by the Daily Echo in January.[LNB] Chairman Eddie Mitchell dismissed that gossip and confirmed Cherries had received no bids for Pitman or any other player.[LNB] And skipper Pearce is keen for the club's squad to stay together as they attempt to make a successful step up to the third tier.[LNB] The central defender told the Echo: It would be great to keep everyone together.[LNB] I heard about Brett there was a bit of transfer gossip. He did great for us last season and there is going to be transfer talk.[LNB] But hopefully we can keep hold of him. If not, he will move on with his career and move up to a bigger league.[LNB] But I hope we keep him and I hope we keep everyone together because I think, if we can keep everyone together, we can have a real good go next season.[LNB] Pearce, who this summer pledged his future to Cherries by signing a new three-year deal, was speaking ahead of training at Canford School yesterday as Eddie Howe's men continued their pre-season preparations.[LNB] It's been enjoyable but it's been hard, he said, when asked about the training.[LNB] We did some VO2 max tests to gauge where we are and then use that for our running we do individual running to suit each player.[LNB] We've also played some games as well, which has been good fun, to keep the morale high.[LNB] Cherries have a new-look squad this term after boss Howe drafted in six new players strikers Michael Symes and Steve Lovell, defender Steve Purches, winger Marc Pugh and non-league duo Harry Arter and Mitchell Nelson. Three prospects Tim Stephenson, Dan Thomas and Danny Ings have also graduated from the youth team with their first professional contracts.[LNB] Pearce added: Everyone seems to have fitted in well. We'll make everyone feel welcome and it should be good.[LNB] I'm looking forward to getting everyone together and playing some games.[LNB]
