Cherries: League rise has surprised boss

7:00am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Sport

BOSS: Eddie Howe BOSS: Eddie Howe

EDDIE Howe admits the pace of Cherries’ revival has surprised him – but is refusing to get carried away at the prospect of writing a new chapter in the Dean Court record books.

Howe is bidding to become only the second manager in the club’s history to mastermind a promotion to the second flight, following in the footsteps of Harry Redknapp in 1987.

Since taking the reins for a second time in October, the 35-year-old, who left Burnley to return to Dorset, has presided over 14 wins and five draws during a season-saving 20-game league run.

His efforts, together with those of his players and staff, and co-owner Maxim Demin’s financial backing, have propelled Cherries from the lower reaches of League One to within touching distance of top spot.

Victory over Crewe at Gresty Road tonight, coupled with second-placed Doncaster failing to beat MK Dons, would see Cherries hit the summit, their highest placing under Howe in his two spells as manager.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It is great to be where we are at this stage of the season. But there is a long way to go and a lot of games to play. We are not going to get carried away but are certainly pleased with the momentum we are building.

“I am pleased we have won games and built momentum, it has been everything we didn’t expect. We didn’t expect to come in and, suddenly, go on the unbeaten run and get the wins we have. We thought it would be a long road ahead to try to get the club into mid-table.

“It has surprised us and it has surprised us how well the players have done and how they have adapted to the demands placed upon them. I can’t praise them enough as a group. They have shown a great mentality in every game they have played. I am proud to see the players performing with the confidence they are at the moment.

“It was great to see another big crowd here on Saturday and I am proud of the support we are getting, both home and away.

“These are really good times for the club and, hopefully, it can stay that way. But in football you go from game to game because it can change so quickly and we know that.”

Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall added: “Success is the biggest motivator and there is no better feeling than being successful at what you do.

“We have some fantastic memories of our first spell at the club, like staying up against the odds and then winning promotion. You can play or manage for many years and not achieve anything like that.

“We are now in a position where achieving success is possible but we aren’t going to get above our station or ahead of ourselves.”

Comments(29)

Exiled Red says...
7:08am Tue 12 Feb 13

Working in Manchester so can go on way home tonight

Think it will be tough but dare I dream of singing we are top of the league at some point tonight?

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Fanfor45 says...
7:13am Tue 12 Feb 13

.....and I see no reason why the sucess can't carry on tonight. A 2-0 win to the Cherries I think. (Ritchie and Pitman- just to stick my neck out even more)

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nonnogeppetto says...
7:34am Tue 12 Feb 13

Good luck tonight if not in the flesh I am there in thought and spirit as is someone else!! UTCIAD

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lockandload says...
8:07am Tue 12 Feb 13

I will be listening on my radio and hoping and dreaming that this season will be ours

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M1 4FCB says...
8:20am Tue 12 Feb 13

a little off topic but i have to say someone must have the dorset blues this morning very quiet from the hampshire camp....

tonight could be a very difficult game because its a game everyone is expecting us to win just hopeing we can come through trumps we can get complacent i think the boys should be reminded of the warsall game before kick off .....

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AFCBade says...
8:25am Tue 12 Feb 13

Potential banana skin tonight, could see the problems Crewe posed us in the first half at dean court the other week. A point would be good and hopefully then three more Saturday to set up three home games from the next four matches

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Piston_Broke says...
8:34am Tue 12 Feb 13

The Alex have recorded 4 wins and 1 defeat in their last 5 home games, scoring only 6 goals and conceding just 2 in that spell. A point tonight, backed up with a win at PNE, would be an excellent return. Anything more would be a bonus!

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smhinto says...
8:51am Tue 12 Feb 13

I am going for a draw tonight as Crewe will be hopping mad after those two penalties we had against them. They are no mugs. We must not let them get their noses in front or we will be in trouble.
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But I am hoping we get the three points.
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Regards

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
10:21am Tue 12 Feb 13

We took Crewe apart in the 2nd half at the Quicksands even Mrs Ted got excited about it! So we have nothing to fear, 3 more points please boys and let's hope we don't get vertigo looking down the table at Swindle et al.
Up the 'muff!!!!!!

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Afcbpete says...
10:23am Tue 12 Feb 13

I'm not surprised at how well we've done under Eddie/Jason. When they took over I said at the time, that with the talent available to them in a large squad, I'd not put it past them to have us in contention for an automatic promotion spot. I also went on to say I realised it was a dream, but Eddie coming home was also a dream, it was how the players would respond was key. Whilst I thought it WAS possible, I honestly thought I was being totally OTT and it was far to bigger ask. We have an incredible management team and the whole squad have been fantastic. Few players get to experience all that is happening at DC these days, hopefully they can pull off this amazing feat and enjoy a piece of history. Good Luck tonight!!! UTCIAD

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canfordcherry says...
10:43am Tue 12 Feb 13

We have always believed in you both. Shame you went away for that short period, we may have already been top this season! Not easy tonight a point would be good, 3 would be amazing.

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RED LETTER DAY says...
11:16am Tue 12 Feb 13

. . . . Dont be modest Eddie . . . . . . YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL.

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Luffbracherry says...
11:29am Tue 12 Feb 13

Eddie and Jason have turned around a large underachieving, poorly motivated squad and turned it into a potential promotion winning team

It demonstrates the outstanding football coaching and management ability that Eddie and JT have

Take each game as it comes - hopefully we will get a result at tough Crewe tonight but if not, don't worry - it is where we are after the last game of the season that counts!

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deanmatthews1966 says...
11:51am Tue 12 Feb 13

Breakfast at 6.30am here in Oz followed by another 3 points please boys. UTCIAD

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ianbthomson says...
12:04pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Tough one tonight against a very good side but we have to confident about winning any game at the moment. Nevertheless a draw could be enough to move in the automatic spots, which would still be great.

Come on boys. UTCIAD

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
12:18pm Tue 12 Feb 13

They're ALL tough games but we can do it!!! UTC!!!

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boyerboy says...
12:37pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Come on BOSCOMBE, should be a good footballing game tonight, Rich tea to get the winner .

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stevobath says...
1:12pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Just shows how good a team we have.In this position even though went a 1/4 of Season with 'Bill & Ben' in charge!

Hard game tonight & I'd happ take a point now but with this team anything is possible...Hers hoping we are looking down on everyne tonight?? UTC

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The Renegade Master says...
2:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Luffbracherry wrote:
Eddie and Jason have turned around a large underachieving, poorly motivated squad and turned it into a potential promotion winning team

It demonstrates the outstanding football coaching and management ability that Eddie and JT have

Take each game as it comes - hopefully we will get a result at tough Crewe tonight but if not, don't worry - it is where we are after the last game of the season that counts!
I completely agree but it also shows just how rubbish Groves & Brooks were not to be able to motivate such a talented squad. Thank God Maxim Demin put his foot down, sacked dumb & dumber, got EH & JT back here and put a gagging order on the inebriate! The last four months have been awesome. The next three could be the best since 1987.
Good luck tonight. Crewe are a decent side and will cause a few problems but we have to be winning these type of games comfortably if we want promotion.
UTCIAD!

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
4:21pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I said when Eddie & Jason came back that we needed to get a few wins and build momentum, and that we would be hard to stop if we got into our stride and so it is proving to be the case.
Tonight will be a hard faught game between 2 very good footballing sides, but as we know, Bournemouth play better against decent footballing teams so no need to fear Crewe, respect yes, fear, no way.
It just goes to prove that you can have the best players in the league, but if you dont have great leadership you will not suceed.
I recall during the Dumb & Dumber era that Mitchell was quoted as saying that we were missing in important ingrediant but he didn't know what that ingrediant was. Well, he surely does now.
KEEP UP GHE GREAT WORK GUYS.
UTCIAD.

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Square Old Codger says...
4:36pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Although I am a huge admirer of Eddie and Jason as a Management Team, I really thought that even they would struggle to get things back on track and to make the pllay offs this Season, but here we are with a very good chance of automatic promotion. But we do have a series of tough games and will need a bit of luck, to do so. The high spots for a long term supporter, like me, have been the Cup Run of Freddie Cox, John Bond Snrs team and of course Harry's tenure. I thought Eddie and Jason's first spell here was amazing, drama, against all the odds stuff, a scincillating period - who knows what will happen this time around, but I am so enjoying it. Good luck tonight!!. gentlemen.

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Square Old Codger says...
4:36pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Although I am a huge admirer of Eddie and Jason as a Management Team, I really thought that even they would struggle to get things back on track and to make the pllay offs this Season, but here we are with a very good chance of automatic promotion. But we do have a series of tough games and will need a bit of luck, to do so. The high spots for a long term supporter, like me, have been the Cup Run of Freddie Cox, John Bond Snrs team and of course Harry's tenure. I thought Eddie and Jason's first spell here was amazing, drama, against all the odds stuff, a scincillating period - who knows what will happen this time around, but I am so enjoying it. Good luck tonight!!. gentlemen.

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jontee says...
4:40pm Tue 12 Feb 13

To be fair i would give some credit to Groves who brought in some good players. Unfortunately he could not make them into a team.
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Eddie picks the best team,not necessarily the best players. That's why he is a great manager.
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Crewe are a good side and they are at home. I'd take the dtraw and run. You can't win 'em all !

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Mike Oxbig says...
4:49pm Tue 12 Feb 13

jontee wrote:
To be fair i would give some credit to Groves who brought in some good players. Unfortunately he could not make them into a team.
.
Eddie picks the best team,not necessarily the best players. That's why he is a great manager.
.
Crewe are a good side and they are at home. I'd take the dtraw and run. You can't win 'em all !
Keep taking the prozac Jontee. Over a prelonged period of time, you may see an improvement. Regards.

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afcb-mark says...
4:59pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Mike Oxbig wrote:
jontee wrote:
To be fair i would give some credit to Groves who brought in some good players. Unfortunately he could not make them into a team.
.
Eddie picks the best team,not necessarily the best players. That's why he is a great manager.
.
Crewe are a good side and they are at home. I'd take the dtraw and run. You can't win 'em all !
Keep taking the prozac Jontee. Over a prelonged period of time, you may see an improvement. Regards.
I'll second that Mike, it's best to not even reply. Oh and is that the same Jontee who a couple of seasons ago didn't even realise we had a temporary stand. Makes me think he doesn't even attend matches.

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AFCBade says...
5:44pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Think most felt Eddie could turn it around given how tight the league was and with the likes of stevenage and Crawley amongst those setting the pace. However IF we were to go top with a full 14 games left then that surely would surpass anyone's expectations

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CherryFarmer says...
7:24pm Tue 12 Feb 13

smhinto wrote:
I am going for a draw tonight as Crewe will be hopping mad after those two penalties we had against them. They are no mugs. We must not let them get their noses in front or we will be in trouble.
.
But I am hoping we get the three points.
.
Regards
As you so proudly told us a few weeks ago that you keep all your posts.....can you please tell us how many of your predictions you have got right this season?

Many thanks

Regards

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Local fan says...
10:10pm Tue 12 Feb 13

WE ARETOP OF THE LEAGUE TONIGHT!! TOTALLY AWESOME!!

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Buddy SFC says...
10:49pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Well done Cherries ......... Our new South Coast rivals !!

Top top second half of the season , the first game of football I ever watched was at Dean Crt ...........

EH ?? How does he do it ?? Top shout ........

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