CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe believes his team's Football League "heart" has been a vital ingredient in their success.

Howe's men held their nerve through a sticky patch last season and went on to secure a ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

An alarming sequence of eight games without a win was followed by a fruitful run-in which saw Cherries lose twice – to Chelsea and Tottenham – in their final 11 matches.

Chelsea and Manchester City were the only two teams Cherries failed to take points off last season.

And City boss Pep Guardiola, one of the world's most revered managers, lamented his inability to "convince" his players to buy into an attacking game plan at times last season.

Howe encountered no such problems, however, with Cherries' players committed to their manager's philosophy and brave brand of football.

He told the Daily Echo: "I am very lucky to have a great group of players, playing for me and for the club.

"Their attitude throughout our rise up the leagues has been absolutely spot on and I believe we still have that heart here in the Premier League.

"We still have that mindset of wanting to improve.

"Even when things are not going well, I think we know hard work is the only thing that will change that form and turn things around."

Guardiola is far from the only boss to have seen his team suffer from some form of stage fright, but Howe has his own way of trying to avoid a similar malaise afflicting his players.

"That comes down to a few things," he said.

"The attitude of the players is very good. We have a very honest group who try to do the right things.

"Our work on the training pitch is key. If you can get your work across to the players, get across how you want them to play, every day, you hope that then becomes natural to them – and that they are doing things without thinking about it.

"The best performances from teams come when they are relaxed and in a really good state of mind."