Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pearce hopeful Pitman will stay after more transfer speculation
CAPTAIN Jason Pearce is hoping Cherries keep hold of their top stars after fresh speculation linked Brett Pitman with a transfer. Pitman who spearheaded Cherries' promotion with 26 league goals last term is rumoured to be attracting the interest of Blackpool. Reports yesterday linked the prolific striker with the Premier League new boys with talk of a £700,000 swoop for the 22-year-old. News of Blackpool's interest in Pitman was initially revealed exclusively by the Daily Echo in January. Chairman Eddie Mitchell dismissed that gossip and confirmed Cherries had received no bids for Pitman or any other player. And skipper Pearce is keen for the club's squad to stay together as they attempt to make a successful step up to the third tier. The central defender told the Echo: It would be great to keep everyone together. I heard about Brett there was a bit of transfer gossip. He did great for us last season and there is going to be transfer talk. But hopefully we can keep hold of him. If not, he will move on with his career and move up to a bigger league. But I hope we keep him and I hope we keep everyone together because I think, if we can keep everyone together, we can have a real good go next season. Pearce, who this summer pledged his future to Cherries by signing a new three-year deal, was speaking ahead of training at Canford School yesterday as Eddie Howe's men continued their pre-season preparations. It's been enjoyable but it's been hard, he said, when asked about the training. We did some VO2 max tests to gauge where we are and then use that for our running we do individual running to suit each player. We've also played some games as well, which has been good fun, to keep the morale high. Cherries have a new-look squad this term after boss Howe drafted in six new players strikers Michael Symes and Steve Lovell, defender Steve Purches, winger Marc Pugh and non-league duo Harry Arter and Mitchell Nelson. Three prospects Tim Stephenson, Dan Thomas and Danny Ings have also graduated from the youth team with their first professional contracts. Pearce added: Everyone seems to have fitted in well. We'll make everyone feel welcome and it should be good. I'm looking forward to getting everyone together and playing some games.