BOSS Eddie Howe says he sympathises with the fixture compilers but has also questioned why so many games need to be played at the start of the season.

Cherries are embarking on a punishing schedule of seven games in 22 days - which came after a two-week international break when no matches were played.

Victory in the first round of the League Cup led to Cherries playing every Saturday and Tuesday for the first three weeks of the campaign, something they will have to do again during the current run.

And their current hectic programme, which finishes with a trip to Middlesbrough on November 8, is followed by another two-week layoff for a third international break.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It is a difficult one. I know it is the same for everyone but I don't think it is ideal and we have already had two international breaks and there is another one next month.

“Either side of the breaks have been crammed full of games. I don't think it is ideal for the players and, from the supporters' perspective, they want to see them at their very best and their freshest.

“I don't think the international breaks should be changed because they are there for a good reason. I think the only thing would be why cram so many games in at the start of the season.

“But I am sure the authorities would tell you that they do it to avoid fixture backlogs due to bad weather and they need to know the season is going to finish when it is due to. It is a difficult one for everybody.”