Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pugh insists there is room for improvement
PERFECTIONIST Marc Pugh believes Cherries need to up their performance levels if they are to remain in the League One promotion frame.[LNB] Leading goalscorer Pugh will be hoping to help Cherries maintain their quest for honours when they host Leyton Orient at Dean Court tomorrow (3pm).[LNB] Victory for Cherries, coupled with defeat for leaders Brighton at Bristol Rovers, would see the Dorset outfit top the third flight for the first time since 1997.[LNB] But despite claiming the second automatic promotion place thanks to three wins on the trot, Pugh knows Cherries must improve on their past two displays.[LNB] Pugh netted his 12th goal of the season to pave the way for a fortuitous 2-1 triumph at Plymouth six days ago and was also involved in the topsy-turvy midweek win over Swindon.[LNB] The 23-year-old Daily Echo diarist said: Whether we play well or not, we always stick together and team spirit is second to none. It is never going to be plain sailing in every game and success never comes easily. You need to work hard and that is what we have done in our past couple of games.[LNB] We rode our luck a little against Plymouth and Swindon. But we created chances in both games and managed to come through with six points out of six. We need to eradicate the errors and try to be more solid. We need to get back to keeping clean sheets. We had three in four before those two games.[LNB] Pugh bagged a memorable double when Cherries drew 2-2 with Orient at Brisbane Road in November, the winger also stretchered off after falling on a pitchside sprinkler. The visit of the Londoners continues a five-match run of games against teams in the bottom half of the table for Cherries.[LNB] They are always tricky games, said Pugh. Sometimes, these games can be more difficult because the teams are fighting for their lives. Swindon were no mugs and were near the bottom so it shows just what a good division it is.[LNB] We have got to pick up our performances and I believe there is an extra 10 or 20 per cent improvement in us. If we can find it, there is no reason why we can't finish in the top two.[LNB] It is going to be tough because Orient are on a good run. They drew with Brighton in midweek and put four past Sheffield Wednesday recently. They also won at Norwich and Swansea in the FA Cup last month.[LNB] They have got a lot of good players and are a good side. But we did well against them at their place, especially in the first half, and have got to do that again. We all want promotion and everybody firmly believes we can achieve it.[LNB]
