Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe disappointed by reserve withdrawals
Cherries boss Eddie Howe has expressed his disappointment at the decision of both Southampton and Bristol City to withdraw from the Football Combination. However, despite ruing the loss of two of the stronger teams in the Wales and West Division, Howe says Cherries have no immediate plans to follow suit. The proposed make up of the Combination next season will see Cherries lock horns with Exeter, Forest Green Rovers, Plymouth, Salisbury, Swindon, Torquay and Swansea. Neither Southampton nor Bristol City applied to retain their respective memberships, although the final constitution will be ratified at the Combination's annual general meeting later this month. Howe told the Daily Echo: We were really disappointed to hear that we will be losing some of the top teams from the division next season. From our point of view, it will be a real shame because Southampton and Bristol City were really attractive fixtures, even at reserve level, so we will be sad to lose them. The better players our lads can play against, especially the younger ones, the more they are going to progress, so it is a blow. It was difficult for us last season because of the transfer embargo. It made it difficult for us to field strong teams because we didn't want to risk injury to our first-team players. We should be able to name more competitive sides next season so the games should be better.