Cherries: 'We can do better' claims Howe

28 September 2010 07:00
HARD taskmaster Eddie Howe reflected on Cherries' impressive start to the season and then appraised: We can do better.[LNB] Howe's charges have franked their League One credentials and climbed to third place thanks to a series of eye-catching performances.[LNB] But with a punishing schedule on the horizon, Howe knows Cherries will need to be on their mettle in order to sustain their promising start.[LNB] I think we can always do better, said Howe. Our points tally could have been a lot better and, whether that is our own fault or down to a bit of bad luck, I'm not sure.[LNB] But we are always striving to get better and are never fully satisfied with our performances. We have certainly got some tough games coming up and are aware just how difficult this league is. But we are in good shape at the moment and can take a lot of confidence from how we have performed so far.[LNB] Howe's men will tonight be looking to build on Saturday's 2-0 win over high-flying Carlisle when they entertain eighth-placed Exeter City at Dean Court (7.45pm).[LNB] The Grecians avoided relegation on the final day of last season, their first year in the third flight following successive promotions under boss Paul Tisdale.[LNB] Howe said: I think Paul is doing a fantastic job at Exeter. They are competing and doing very well in League One. They managed to stabilise and stay up last season when a couple of the other promoted clubs struggled.[LNB] They deserve a lot of credit for the way they play the game because they do things in the right way. I have watched them a few times and they are a good side and very well organised. It promises to be another very tough game for us because they are a difficult team to beat.[LNB] Cherries' encouraging start to the campaign will certainly face a stern examination during October when they meet Southampton, Brighton, MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester.[LNB] Howe added: We have proved this season that we can compete and certainly don't fear anybody. If we perform like we did in the second half against Carlisle, we can be a match for anyone.[LNB] You always have to be patient because although games aren't won in the first 10 minutes, they can be lost in the first 10 minutes. We didn't play very well in the first half against Carlisle and needed to ensure we reached half-time at 0-0.[LNB] I felt that was an important factor in us winning the game because it gave us a chance to rebuild and we put on a really good performance in the second half.[LNB] Lyle Taylor and Joe Partington are both added to the Cherries squad, although Harry Arter will not be available as he is today due to go under the knife to have double hernia surgery.[LNB] Cherries: (from) Jalal, Smith, Garry, Pearce, Wiggins, Cooper, Feeney, Bartley, Robinson, Pugh, McQuoid, Fletcher, Symes, Cummings, Bradbury, Hollands, Taylor, Partington, J Stewart.[LNB] Grecians: (from) P Jones, Tully, Golbourne, Archibald-Henville, Duffy, B Jones, Noble, Cozic, Harley, Cureton, Logan, Sercombe, Dunne, Nardiello, Edwards, M Stewart, Thomson, Krysiak.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo