BOSS Eddie Howe is hoping a shift in expectations will not undermine his attempts to keep Cherries in the Premier League.

Howe, in his two spells in the Dean Court hot-seat, has presided over improved finishing positions every season.

He took the reins for the first time in January 2009 when the club was seven points adrift of safety in League Two and masterminded what became known as the Greatest Escape.

And after guiding Cherries to promotion the following season, Howe left for Burnley before returning to plot the club’s rise from the depths of League One to the Premier League – in just three years.

While hoping to eclipse last season’s club-best ninth-place finish in the top flight this time round, Howe’s first concern will be to guarantee safety.

A heavy defeat at Huddersfield, coupled with going 2-0 down against Newcastle on Saturday, went some way to highlighting the size of the task – with both opponents fighting for their respective lives.

Booed off at half-time by a section of supporters as they trailed the Toon, Cherries hit back to earn a share of the points thanks to late goals from Adam Smith and Dan Gosling.

Howe admitted conceding Dwight Gayle’s second goal on the stroke of the interval had led to a “difficult atmosphere around the ground”, adding that the backing from fans in the second half had played a part in the comeback.

He told the Daily Echo: “We didn’t give the supporters much to cheer during the first half. It was a flat performance.

"We know, as a group, we needed to perform better and were equally frustrated with ourselves.

“I would never encourage negativity during the game because you need players to play in an environment where they feel totally confident and free to express themselves.

“I think we should all try to support each other through whatever period we are experiencing. Trying to create an environment where we are as one and fighting together as a team has always been one of our core strengths.

"The supporters showed just how important they can be in the final 20 minutes. When we equalised, the noise and feel totally changed and the players responded to it superbly.

“Managing expectations is – and will be in the future – a challenge."

Meanwhile, Howe hailed supporters for their "touch of class" after former Cherries star Matt Ritchie had been well received following his return to Vitality Stadium.

Ritchie, who left for Newcastle in a £12m move in 2016, was applauded off as he made way for Javier Manquillo six minutes from time.

Howe said: "I was pleased the ground applauded him when he was taken off. I thought that showed a real touch of class from our supporters.

"Although we were losing at the time, it was a nice moment and I expected nothing different.

"They recognise what Matty did for us over a long period of time so full credit to our supporters and to Matty."