WITH 2020 just around the corner, it brings to an end an historic decade for Cherries.

The past 10 years has seen three promotions all the way up from League Two, a play-off semi-final defeat and four full seasons in the Premier League.

Over the past few weeks, we gave Daily Echo readers the chance to vote for their team of the decade via a series of online polls, with almost 10,000 votes cast. From those selected into the team, fans were also given the opportunity to pick their player of the 2010s, with Marc Pugh coming out on top ahead of Artur Boruc and Steve Cook.

And in an exclusive interview with the Echo, Cherries boss Eddie Howe, who was in charge of the club for more than eight of the past 10 years, gave his thoughts on each of the players selected in the XI.

Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc

When Artur came in he made a massive difference to the team. An incredible shot-stopper, great presence, great mentality to play. A wonderful goalkeeper.

Right-back: Simon Francis

It’s interesting – you look at the partnerships he had, his relationship with Matty (Ritchie) was really, really good. They built it, they worked on it and it was almost instinctive. You had Matty coming inside onto his left foot and Franno overlapping him. Brilliant athlete and very good aerially as well so Simon was, and still is, a massive, massive player for us.

Centre-back: Steve Cook

Very, very good aerially and he’s got a goal in him. Very composed footballer as well, fits our philosophy on how we play from the back so he was and still is a massive player for us.

Centre-back: Nathan Ake

They formed a good partnership Cookie and Nath. I think with Nath’s technical ability, his composure, but also his eye for goal as well at the other end makes him an eye-catching player. He’s done very well for us now over a long period of time.

Left-back: Charlie Daniels

The thing I’d say about Charlie is his relationship with Marc Pugh. Those two players were instinctive, really from day one. They played together, had a very good understanding, would make runs off each other and really were a formidable opponent down that side of the pitch. Charlie’s technical ability is such a high level that enabled him to attack very well, but he was also very good at his defensive work.

Right-wing: Matt Ritchie

Matty had an obvious goal in him with his left foot. Whether that was from a set piece or open play, he developed the understanding of how to play the position and had a great relationship with Simon. But also off the ball (he) worked incredibly hard, a real ball-winner for us. Together with him and Harry (Arter) that you’ve got in the same midfield there, they were two formidable players for us off the ball.

Centre-midfield: Harry Arter

Harry played slightly higher than Andrew (Surman) but he could switch the play with both feet, which is quite unique. Had a brilliant strike on him from distance, but also he had the athleticism and the drive to go and win the ball back for us, which is what we needed in the team. An outstanding player.

Centre-midfield: Andrew Surman

Produced a wonderful partnership with Harry Arter. They were both very, very good technicians so you had switches of play, you had breaking lines passes, you had the defensive intelligence from Andrew. He would dictate and run games from a slightly deeper position than Harry, but he was really the creative source from deep.

Left-wing: Marc Pugh

Brilliant attitude and incredible worker. Technically very, very good, very intelligent. I’d say in terms of game intelligence, probably one of the most intelligent I’ve ever worked with, in terms of his position and understanding the role that we wanted him to deliver. Always had a goal in him, an important goal as well. Fantastic player.

Striker: Brett Pitman

Then you need goals and these two (Pitman and Callum Wilson) have got goals.

You had Bretty who played slightly deeper. When he came to us the second time (2012), I think that was slightly new for him but he adapted to it.

Technically very good, also very good in the air but he had all types of goals – headed goals, volleyed goals, left and right foot, penalties, free-kicks, everything. Incredible player for the football club over a long period of time. Incredible goalscorer’s mentality, Brett, and he worked hard as well off the ball.

Striker: Callum Wilson

Callum – the line stretcher, the number nine, the one that wants to run in behind. He’s got a way of scoring different goals, poacher’s goals, obviously the ones where he’s put through on the goalkeeper, but also an incredible work ethic. One that wants to run and work and press defenders.

Discussing the XI as a whole, Howe added: “I think the supporters have picked very well.

“I think the hallmark of it is how hard each player worked in his position and together with the technical ability, that’s a formidable team.”