STEADFAST boss Eddie Howe insists an attacking approach is best for Cherries despite admitting more defensive lapses would result in a "long season" for his side.

Cherries have shipped three goals in eight of their past 10 games, with only Premier League relegation-battlers Swansea and reigning champions Leicester failing to register a treble against the Vitality Stadium side.

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon suggested Howe would need to adapt his game plan in order to reverse the alarming statistic, stating that "playing an expansive game... doesn't lend itself to keeping the ball out of the net".

But while Howe admits Cherries' defensive record must improve, he is adamant his team's style is its biggest weapon.

Reflecting on the recent run of goals conceded, Howe told the Daily Echo: "I'm not going to sit here and declare I'm happy with it. As a player, I prided myself on keeping clean sheets and trying to be the best player I could be.

"I considered it a slight against me when we conceded a goal and it's no different when you are a manager.

"The important thing is we win to achieve our objectives this season. We are slightly different to other teams in the league with our style of play, our philosophy and how we look to go into games.

"We are a very attack-minded team. I think we are better that way than when we are defensive.

"For those reasons, we might concede more than our competitors but in the bigger picture, we hope that achieves success for us.

"Our biggest strength is our style of play. Of course we have a lot of other really good attributes but our style of play has got us into this position.

"That doesn't mean we can concede three goals every week. If we do that, it's going to be a long season from this point onwards. So we have to improve and, individually, we have to do better.

"I'm not going to change my style. We just have to do what we do better. I've got no doubt we can do it. We've done it historically and it's up to us to respond to the challenges we face."

Cherries entertain Watford tomorrow (3pm) and Howe reported that defender Marc Wilson was his only fresh injury concern.

The boss added: "We felt Marc Wilson had good news on his hamstring last week but he felt a tightness in his hamstring last Friday, so he has not trained this week."

Cherries will also be without skipper Simon Francis, who will serve the final match of his three-game suspension.

Midfielder Lewis Cook is in contention after playing – and scoring – in the Hampshire Senior Cup victory over Gosport Borough in midweek.

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri will make a late decision on the fitness of keeper Heurelho Gomes after the Brazilian was forced off in the 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough with a back injury. Daryl Janmaat may return from a groin problem.