DEFIANT Eddie Howe insists recent criticism “isn’t new territory for me” as he vowed to continue “trying to prove people wrong”.

Various media outlets have this week questioned Cherries’ playing style and the work of Howe, including Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness who said the Dorset club should be “more pragmatic” rather than trying to play their way out of trouble.

A run of nine defeats in 11 Premier League matches has seen Cherries slide into the relegation zone ahead of a clash against the only side below them in the table, Norwich City, at Carrow Road tomorrow afternoon (3pm).

Howe took charge of Cherries on a permanent basis 11 years ago this weekend.

Asked how he feels about criticism over a playing style which has brought him so much success in the past decade, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think that goes with the territory. I think we’ve had it most of our Championship days, when we started in the first Championship season, all the way through to the Premier League our style is questioned when we don’t get results.

“But ultimately every year we’ve achieved what we want to achieve, whether that’s promotion or staying in the Premier League, doing it this way.

“To change, for me would need a change of players. Because we don’t have the players with the characteristics to play that style.”

He added: “You’re either good or bad, I don’t think there’s much in between in the modern day. At the moment I’m bad, the team’s bad. You have to accept that, you have to have broad shoulders.

“But knowing that isn’t the reality. And when things are really good and everyone’s patting you on the back, you’re probably not that good either.

“I think it’s just being very calm and believing in what you do and not listening to the outside noise, which is important to how you work.”

The rapid rise of Cherries from when Howe took over with the club in the League Two relegation zone is well documented.

Asked if this recent slump is unchartered territory, Howe responded: “The first few weeks and months here were incredibly difficult. We were looking like we were going into the Conference and in a huge relegation battle where we were chasing teams that were seven points above us. We were seven points cut adrift at the bottom.

“So, yeah, I’ve been in this position loads.

“As a player, I’ve been in this position hundreds of times. Written off, not good enough, injured for two years, sat in a treatment room with no idea when I was going to be fit or kick a ball again.

“From the outside, you look at it and think everything has always been rosy at Bournemouth. It’s been easy. Far, far from it, on so many different levels.

“This isn’t new territory for me, trying to prove people wrong and trying to lift the team.

“The reality is a couple of results and things look very different.”

Quizzed on whether he retains the hunger to turn things around, Howe added: “Of course.

“My energy levels, I would know, deep down, if I was spent, if the creativity juices weren’t going, if I looked at our training and thought it’s not what it needs to be.

“I don’t want to be deluded either and say everything is great, I’m great, when the results say the opposite. So I’m not in that position either. I’m just working as hard and as smart as I can to try to change results.”