Cherries: They are staying put for now, but the future could be different

IF Eddie Howe were a little more gung-ho, he would probably have been in a press conference at London Road today. Thankfully for the Dean Court faithful, their hero likes to think things over. Despite taking Tuesday night to ponder the pros and cons of a move to Cambridgeshire, though, only Howe himself will know if there was ever any real chance of the fans' fears becomming a nightmare. Of course, before news of Howe and assistant Jason Tindall staying at Dean Court broke yesterday morning, the rumour mill went into a predictable overdrive. One flustered hack from Peterborough called the Echo to say that a supporter had spotted Howe getting out of a Jag at London Road early yesterday morning. A Jag This is AFC Bournemouth, mate. If ever any hint of the duo staying put were needed, that was it. News that Howe was, indeed, the man the Posh wanted to replace Darren Ferguson will sprinkle more than a handful of harsh realism on this whole situation, however. Up until yesterday, the only man suggesting Howe and Tindall could, one day, walk out of the Dean Court exit door was chairman Eddie Mitchell. Swept along by a wave of success in the league this season, the supporters were able to call on some selective hearing when faced with Mitchell's statement. But after the events of the past two days, only supporters with their heads in the sand will still be surfing along on the swell of Eddie's long-term dream. The fact remains that Howe will be linked with every job that comes up at Championship level and below between now and May. And that begs the question: When will a challenge become too tempting to turn down The truth is Howe would have been on a road to nowhere at Peterborough, where the Ferguson-loving fans are unlikely to give a warm welcome to anyone, let alone a 31-year-old with less than a year's management on his CV. But that won't be the case everywhere and Howe is gaining credibility every day. Money is unlikely to be an issue, but deep inside the quiet man lies a burning ambition to be the best. Another opportunity to perform a miracle could prove enough to drag King Edward away from his Dean Court throne.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo