Cherries: Howe relishes the challenge of becoming league leaders

GETTING A TASTE FOR SUCCESS: Cherries boss Eddie Howe GETTING A TASTE FOR SUCCESS: Cherries boss Eddie Howe

BOSS Eddie Howe reflected on Cherries’ momentous climb to the League One summit and told his players: “Relish it and enjoy it.”

Manager Howe tasked his men with embracing the challenge of staying ahead of the chasing pack as he gave his verdict on Cherries’ dramatic transformation.

Cherries continued their impressive form since Howe’s Dean Court return by marching to the top of the standings with a 2-1 victory at Crewe on Tuesday night.

Already installed as clear title favourites by the bookmakers, that latest win saw Cherries move into pole position as the closely-fought race for promotion places took another twist.

The Dorset outfit lead rivals Doncaster by a point and hold just a four-point cushion over seventh-placed Yeovil, who have a game in hand on Cherries.

Howe admits his club’s new lofty status will make them a target for every other team in the division – but he is adamant Cherries will maintain their professional approach.

He told the Daily Echo: “Now we are at the top of the league, we are there to be shot at.

“We are the scalp that everybody wants so we are going to have to make sure we adapt to that and use it to our advantage and try to use it in a positive way.

“A lot of people talk about pressure at the top but, for me, you won’t find any more pressure than when you are at the bottom and scrapping for points.

“I think you should, as much as you can, try to enjoy being at the top of the league and try to really enjoy that pressure that comes with being successful. Hopefully, we can do that.

“I think you have got to relish it and enjoy it.

“If you can’t enjoy being top of the league and in that position, then you are not going to enjoy anything in football.

“The players shouldn’t be feeling any pressure. We are a club which has gone through a lot of changes in the past few years but it is not very common that we have been in this position in our history.”

Howe plans to ensure his players quickly switch their focus to preparing for Saturday’s trip to Preston as they look to maintain their push for a place in the Championship.

He added: “What is key for me is that we try to focus on the next game and try to stay there. That is the most difficult part now – to try to stay there.

“Everyone will want to try to take our place so we have got to make sure nothing changes from our side and we continue to approach every game in the professional way that we have done.”

Comments(21)

lionheart says...
8:03am Thu 14 Feb 13

Onwards and upwards. Eddie is king.

CC C-siders says...
8:07am Thu 14 Feb 13

Manager of the Year!!
But to Radio Solent we're still third choice!

ianbthomson says...
8:55am Thu 14 Feb 13

Going to be a very exciting few months. 14 massive games, starting with Preston away on Saturday.

Lets enjoy the ride because this is going to be great :)

smhinto says...
9:03am Thu 14 Feb 13

Apparently the sun is reporting that we are about to sigh QPR' SAM MAGRI on loan.
.
Regarda.

canfordcherry says...
9:30am Thu 14 Feb 13

smhinto wrote:
Apparently the sun is reporting that we are about to sigh QPR' SAM MAGRI on loan.
.
Regarda.
'regarda'- verb meaning to affect a person strongly, as being unexpected or unusual. Could sum you up for some people on here, although I have no problem with you!
Any one know any thing about Magri as a player?

Frankiesbackfromhollywood says...
9:45am Thu 14 Feb 13

Must be a full back this Magri, he want's to come to a club that wins games, who can blame him!! Now we have hit top spot the real hard work begins, those below us will go all out ti stop us, Eddie and Jason have performed miracles to get us here, now we just need to keep this going!! Could drop off the top spot on Friday, Tranmere have a game against Shrewsbury, we will see!!

cherrychris75 says...
9:49am Thu 14 Feb 13

canfordcherry wrote:
smhinto wrote:
Apparently the sun is reporting that we are about to sigh QPR' SAM MAGRI on loan.
.
Regarda.
'regarda'- verb meaning to affect a person strongly, as being unexpected or unusual. Could sum you up for some people on here, although I have no problem with you!
Any one know any thing about Magri as a player?
Havent heard of him but Arry is normally pretty good with the loan guys. Rio, Defoe, Smith, Holland......Button!
!

Square Old Codger says...
10:08am Thu 14 Feb 13

A highly rated young player, 6' , quick and comfortable anywhere at the back, better right foot than left though. We will just have to wait and see whether the rumours are true. Eddie always does his homework though and doesn't have many lapses of judgement.

Mike Oxbig says...
10:11am Thu 14 Feb 13

canfordcherry wrote:
smhinto wrote:
Apparently the sun is reporting that we are about to sigh QPR' SAM MAGRI on loan.
.
Regarda.
'regarda'- verb meaning to affect a person strongly, as being unexpected or unusual. Could sum you up for some people on here, although I have no problem with you!
Any one know any thing about Magri as a player?
He was on Portsmouth books until QPR signed him last August. He hasn't played for either team, although he has represented England as a schoolboy..... He's only 18, so sounds like one for the future. Regards.

TedMacsCherryPants says...
10:25am Thu 14 Feb 13

Frankiesbackfromholl
ywood
wrote:
Must be a full back this Magri, he want's to come to a club that wins games, who can blame him!! Now we have hit top spot the real hard work begins, those below us will go all out ti stop us, Eddie and Jason have performed miracles to get us here, now we just need to keep this going!! Could drop off the top spot on Friday, Tranmere have a game against Shrewsbury, we will see!!
Play up you Shrews!!!!!!!!!

Local fan says...
11:19am Thu 14 Feb 13

We must not allow ourselves to get carried away with this success, lets all remain calm and maximise support with bums on seats. Its a fantastic "situation" (quoting John Williams) and long may it continue. We won't win every game for the rest of the season (if we do I will eat my chocolate hat)! Fantastic professionlism from both Eddies, the team and everyone at the club. Its textbook "Total Quality"! Incidentally, I hope Michael Botto is back on the PA at the next match - he's the best. UTCIAD!

Deejaycee says...
12:21pm Thu 14 Feb 13

canfordcherry wrote:
smhinto wrote:
Apparently the sun is reporting that we are about to sigh QPR' SAM MAGRI on loan.
.
Regarda.
'regarda'- verb meaning to affect a person strongly, as being unexpected or unusual. Could sum you up for some people on here, although I have no problem with you!
Any one know any thing about Magri as a player?
Check Wikipedia, it will give you a complete background on him.

coops1965 says...
1:53pm Thu 14 Feb 13

FEAR US, FEAR US, FEAR US !
This team is frightening the pants off of all of our competitors and that is a positive thing. Eddy is the one man to focus that fear and concentrate the minds of our fantastic team, enjoy the ride people, "Bournemouth are back hello hello" Message to uncle Max, we need a bigger stadium !!

UTCIAD.

ducky24 says...
2:12pm Thu 14 Feb 13

We really really need to go up automatically......a
part from anything else I won't be able to make the Play Off Final!! Come on Eddie! You can do it! You did it before. We have played an extra game than those below us so we aren't safe yet. Need to thump Preston on Saturday ad hope that Tranmere, Doncaster and Swindon mess up again.

Chish and Fips says...
5:36pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Oh dear Steady what a fool you made of yourself in the Adver ... fancy being dragged down to that level and talking such drivel and name calling. tch tch tch
Oh well seems like even you who I thought could stand the heat has succumbed to gutter talk .... it always sorts the ones that say how big and brave they are out ..... back to the drawing board for you sonny Jim...

Red & White Dragon says...
10:23pm Thu 14 Feb 13

So how do you guys really rate your chances of winning the league. Tranmere, Doncaster, Swindon, sheff utd and yeovil all look strong.

pehf1rules says...
11:37pm Thu 14 Feb 13

We won't take anything for granted as this year, there are so many teams in with a shout, it is going to be a great ending for excitment and drama, and Yeovil also have a great shout on going up this year. It's great that League 1 is putting on such a great show.

STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
12:02am Fri 15 Feb 13

Chish and Fips wrote:
Oh dear Steady what a fool you made of yourself in the Adver ... fancy being dragged down to that level and talking such drivel and name calling. tch tch tch
Oh well seems like even you who I thought could stand the heat has succumbed to gutter talk .... it always sorts the ones that say how big and brave they are out ..... back to the drawing board for you sonny Jim...
Actually i went on there to let YOU know that i had replyed to your ramble last night on the daniels story. As some of your idiots bacame offensive i relyed in similar fashion, not proud of it, but it seems it's the only language they understand. You are 100% correct i did get dragged down to their level. Oh well, still top of the tree.!!!!!.

TedMacsCherryPants says...
6:31am Fri 15 Feb 13

Local fan wrote:
We must not allow ourselves to get carried away with this success, lets all remain calm and maximise support with bums on seats. Its a fantastic "situation" (quoting John Williams) and long may it continue. We won't win every game for the rest of the season (if we do I will eat my chocolate hat)! Fantastic professionlism from both Eddies, the team and everyone at the club. Its textbook "Total Quality"! Incidentally, I hope Michael Botto is back on the PA at the next match - he's the best. UTCIAD!
I don't think anyone is getting too carried away and must know our position at the top could end tonight. But hey after watching the Bradders/Groves eras a temporary celebration is well deserved, call it "relief" if you like.
Back onto it tommorrow and the usual request from me, 3pts please boys!!!
Up the 'muff!!!!! COYR!!!

Chish and Fips says...
6:39am Fri 15 Feb 13

STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road wrote:
Chish and Fips wrote:
Oh dear Steady what a fool you made of yourself in the Adver ... fancy being dragged down to that level and talking such drivel and name calling. tch tch tch
Oh well seems like even you who I thought could stand the heat has succumbed to gutter talk .... it always sorts the ones that say how big and brave they are out ..... back to the drawing board for you sonny Jim...
Actually i went on there to let YOU know that i had replyed to your ramble last night on the daniels story. As some of your idiots bacame offensive i relyed in similar fashion, not proud of it, but it seems it's the only language they understand. You are 100% correct i did get dragged down to their level. Oh well, still top of the tree.!!!!!.
Yep you completely lost it, and any respect you had earned .... silly boy...

Top of the tree - and prime target - good luck.

STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
9:36am Fri 15 Feb 13

Chish and Fips wrote:
STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road wrote:
Chish and Fips wrote:
Oh dear Steady what a fool you made of yourself in the Adver ... fancy being dragged down to that level and talking such drivel and name calling. tch tch tch
Oh well seems like even you who I thought could stand the heat has succumbed to gutter talk .... it always sorts the ones that say how big and brave they are out ..... back to the drawing board for you sonny Jim...
Actually i went on there to let YOU know that i had replyed to your ramble last night on the daniels story. As some of your idiots bacame offensive i relyed in similar fashion, not proud of it, but it seems it's the only language they understand. You are 100% correct i did get dragged down to their level. Oh well, still top of the tree.!!!!!.
Yep you completely lost it, and any respect you had earned .... silly boy...

Top of the tree - and prime target - good luck.
Takes two (at least) to get into a silly argument and i didn't see you getting on the other fellas back. I guess there lies the problem, you see what you want to see, it's acceptable to dish it out as long as you are Swindon but not anyone else. Great logic.
If you thought that by outing me on here last night would get my fellow afcb supporters condemning me then you will probably need to think again. I think most that know me on here know that i rarely use threatening or abusive language(behaviour) and generally make valid points. Your boy in Salisbury is sick making comments like " i hope you crash into a tree". CONDEMN THAT no of course you wont coz thats acceptable. Right.?????.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree