BLACKBURN boss Gary Bowyer labelled criticism of Cherries as “ridiculous” and praised rival manager Eddie Howe for the style of football his team has been playing.

Rovers became the first Championship club to keep a clean sheet at Dean Court for almost 12 months when they held Cherries to a 0-0 draw on Saturday.

Bowyer's team, who had inflicted a 3-2 defeat on Howe's men at Ewood Park in August, ensured Cherries' winless run would extend to five matches.

But asked at his post-match press conference whether he could put his finger on why Cherries had stuttered recently, Bowyer replied: “Eddie Howe has them playing an unbelievable brand of football and doesn't get enough credit for the way they play and how brave he has been with it.

“I'm afraid it's society and how people view things. They've got lots of potential to make the play-offs, get promoted and even automatic. He's doing a fabulous job and I'm sure they will be very close at the end of the season.

“The world, I'm afraid, is full of negative people. Where were Bournemouth five years ago? Where were they a couple of years ago and who is that down to?

“It's down to Eddie Howe, his staff, his chairman and the club's owner. I don't know how many games they've gone without winning but, straight away, people are on his case. Ridiculous, isn't it.”

Discussing the game, Bowyer added: “Tactically, we were spot on. Defensively and our organisation were excellent. Our goalkeeper made a couple of good saves, as you would expect against a team of Bournemouth's calibre and firepower.

“We are the first team to have got a clean sheet here this season and that is a great effort from our lads. We might have had more than just a point with Tom Cairney's shot and Rudy Gestede's header at the death.

“When you come here, you take what you can get because nobody has come here and kept a clean sheet so it was a fantastic effort from us.”