UPDATED - Cherries: Howe wants more of the same (with video) (From Bournemouth Echo)

UPDATED - Cherries: Howe wants more of the same (with video)

3:25pm Thursday 15th November 2012 in Sport By Neil Perrett

BOSS Eddie Howe has tasked his players with producing more of the same as Cherries bid to record a fourth League One win in succession for the first time in more than four years.

Kevin Bond’s men achieved the feat when they won six on the trot at the end of the 2007-08 season, while Howe’s charges managed it twice during Cherries’ League Two promotion-winning campaign two years later.

Since reclaiming their place in the third flight, Cherries have chalked up a hat-trick of successive wins on three occasions – once under Howe in January 2011 and twice during Lee Bradbury’s reign.

Previewing Saturday’s visit of Oldham Athletic to Goldsands Stadium (3pm), Howe told the Daily Echo: “We know it is going to be a difficult game. It is a cliché when people talk about every game being difficult but the margins between winning and losing are so small. We have got to make sure we come out on the right side.

“Paul Dickov’s teams are always very difficult to beat because they are very hard-working and organised. We need to be focused on the next two games because it is going to be an important few days for us.”

The Latics, who held Cherries to a 0-0 draw at Dean Court last season before winning 1-0 at Boundary Park in Bradbury’s final game as manager in March, have lost their past two games.

Howe added: “Oldham will be looking to get their momentum going again so we will need to be aware of that. I just think we need to reproduce our recent home form and try to play the same way because we have been excellent at times.

“Oldham were on a good run before the past two games and that is why they will get our full respect. They have some very good players and Jose Baxter is on the short-list for the League One player of the month. He is having a really good season. He has scored a few goals and is certainly a talent so we need to be aware of him.

“Matt Derbyshire is an experienced player and has played in the Premier League. He has been there and done it and played at a good level. They have players we will need to be aware of and we will not be taking them lightly.

“When you have two games in quick succession, it tests your preparation and everything that goes on behind the scenes. We have got a really good team of people here and will be ready and prepared.”

Defender Simon Francis, who missed Cherries’ 1-0 win at Doncaster five days ago with a hip injury, is a major doubt, while midfielder Richard Hughes (hamstring) will again sit out although could return to training next week.