Cherries: We were solid - Howe

08 August 2009 22:34
BOSS Eddie Howe saw Cherries finally end their opening-day hoodoo and then hailed his players for their solid defensive effort.[LNB] First-half goals from Brett Pitman and Anton Robinson, coupled with Mark Molesleys second-half piledriver, earned Cherries their first curtain-raiser victory for 10 years.[LNB] Howe, who netted the winner the last time Cherries were victorious on the opening day of the season, against Cambridge United in 1999, said: I was delighted with how we approached the game and the lads mentality. They are a fantastic group of players and they responded with a really good performance.[LNB] We scored with two great strikes and a well-worked header from Anton. We work on the build-up play so it was pleasing to see all the hard work pay off.[LNB] I was most pleased with a clean sheet because I thought we looked solid. We looked tight at the end of last season and you go into a new season hoping you can carry it on.[LNB] We did in this game and I thought we looked good defensively. The goalkeeper produced another sound display and the back four worked excellently together. They didnt play together in pre-season but you would not have known it.[LNB] Howe was forced to shuffle his pack at the 11th hour after central defender Ryan Garry failed a late fitness test on a dead leg. He was replaced by Scottie Guyett, who came in for his first start for seven months.[LNB] It was a big blow losing Ryan because he had done all of pre-season, said Howe. Scottie is a great pro and a fantastic lad. He responded with a fantastic performance without any game-time under his belt. It spoke volumes for him and he didnt hesitate when I asked him if he was ready.[LNB] Bury manager Alan Knill, whose side conceded three goals on only one occasion last season, admitted he was disappointed and shell-shocked.[LNB] Knill added: They scored two very good goals but a pretty poor one on our part in between. There wasnt too much we could have done about the first goal. It knocked us because I thought we were playing fairly well at the time.[LNB] Prior to Pitmans opener, the Shakers had a Ryan Lowe effort ruled out for offside. However, although referee Eddie Ilderton consulted his linesman before chalking off the strike, Knill said he had no complaints.[LNB] I cant sit here and say this or that because the reality is that we lost 3-0, said Knill. Everything counts on what happens in the penalty box. They scored three and we didnt score any. But nobody gets relegated or promoted after the first game and you dont panic after one game.[LNB] Its a simple game. I dont know how to spice it up at both ends, they were better than us.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo