Cherries: Pitman works hard or he wouldn't play, insists Howe

7:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in Latest Sport

BOSS Eddie Howe believes Brett Pitman doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his work rate, insisting: If he didn’t graft, he wouldn’t play.

Pitman has firmly established himself as a key man in Cherries’ League One title bid by netting nine goals in 14 appearances since his return.

But despite watching him embark on that fine run, some supporters continue to question his application.

Howe, though, told the Daily Echo: “I have had chats with Brett, especially when he was younger, about certain signs that he gives off.

“But you can’t change a player’s body language and I think it can be very misleading when you talk about Brett.

“He does work extremely hard for the team. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves for the amount of work that he gets through.

“I think it is a key hallmark of our team. Whoever plays up front has to start the defending from the front. If Brett wasn’t doing it, he wouldn’t play.”

Pitman earned himself a place in Cherries folklore by firing 26 goals in their 2009-10 promotion from League Two during Howe’s first spell.

Howe, who played alongside some of Cherries’ top strikers in recent years, believes Pitman rates highly among the other leading lights.

“In pure finishing ability, he would be at the very top,” added Howe.

“If you had a chance in the box you wouldn’t want it to fall to anybody else.

“I still think there is a lot more to come from him. I still think there is a lot of improvement in him because of the lack of football he has had.

“Hopefully, we are going to see the best of Brett between now and the end of the season.”

Comments(21)

Frankiesbackfromhollywood says...
7:23am Fri 15 Feb 13

Brett's record speaks for itself, he is by far and away our best striker. He has been out for some time and is starting to get his sharpness back, personally I can't see why we have a small number who just can't help themselves, this is a great team top of the league and Brett has scored 9 in 12, really shouldn't we all be pulling together right now?

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Auzzi Cherry says...
8:02am Fri 15 Feb 13

From what I have seen of Brett since his return, he has been outstanding.

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AFCBade says...
8:09am Fri 15 Feb 13

Actually been very impressed by his work rate, especially defensively. Noticeable vs pompey his defensive clearances. Where there had been concern is his lack of match fitness given how little first team time at Bristol city. At times looked quite static eg brentford. This is getting better. Surprised at the criticism vs Pompey as he hit the bar and set up Pugh well for second.

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danlee74 says...
8:24am Fri 15 Feb 13

Quite simply, some people just like to moan no matter what.

Keep up the good work Brett, and all involved. It is great to be a Cherry!

UP THE CHERRIES!!!

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
8:52am Fri 15 Feb 13

If Eddie says he works hard, that's good enough for me, more goals please chicken!
InE&JWT!

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bobsworthforever says...
9:40am Fri 15 Feb 13

How odd that Eddie has to speak up for one of our strikers when were top of the league and highest scorers in the division.Last thing we want is Pitman running around like a headless chicken and not scoring.

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Afcbpete says...
9:57am Fri 15 Feb 13

TedMacsCherryPants wrote:
If Eddie says he works hard, that's good enough for me, more goals please chicken!
InE&JWT!
Pitman is working extremely hard, that side of his game is a vast improvement.
Although I've always said a strikers place is up front, but times have changed. My only comment and hardly a criticism, is Brett was missing quite a few chances, he was always capable of scoring the incredible and THAT part of his game we'd not seen, that was until Tuesday night, his 2nd goal was exquisite. Brett hadn't played for months, so he was never going to hit the ground running so to speak. ALL strikers miss chances, few are capable of scoring "Brett" type goals, and THAT'S what makes him Special!!!
UTCIAD

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Square Old Codger says...
10:45am Fri 15 Feb 13

Afcbpete wrote:
TedMacsCherryPants wrote: If Eddie says he works hard, that's good enough for me, more goals please chicken! InE&JWT!
Pitman is working extremely hard, that side of his game is a vast improvement. Although I've always said a strikers place is up front, but times have changed. My only comment and hardly a criticism, is Brett was missing quite a few chances, he was always capable of scoring the incredible and THAT part of his game we'd not seen, that was until Tuesday night, his 2nd goal was exquisite. Brett hadn't played for months, so he was never going to hit the ground running so to speak. ALL strikers miss chances, few are capable of scoring "Brett" type goals, and THAT'S what makes him Special!!! UTCIAD
I couldn't agree more, he's getting match fit and his sharpness is returning, like Le Tiss, his goals are usually of the "specactular " kind, as Eddie said recently, if he adds the tap in goals to his repertoire!!!

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phil1965 says...
11:59am Fri 15 Feb 13

Always rated brett.Was **** off when we sold him to bristol.Glad hes back and when hes used to playing regular football again and with the other players we have he is going to surprise a few doubters.He can score a goal from nothing.Seen it.

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ianbthomson says...
12:10pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Outstanding signing, especially for a reported fee of only £60,000. So much so, that he is the kind of player which will decide whether it is automatic or play offs this season.

3 more points tomorrow please and a draw for Tranmere tonight would be good :)

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lymicherry says...
12:13pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Although he might look relatively pedestrian amid Bournemouth's more fleet-footed performers, we should not forget how hard Pitman works and how much more of a team player he has become. My trust in EH and JT is implicit - if they didn't think Pitman was up to the task, they wouldn't pick him. Far better to have a player who contributes tellingly at the business end of the season than one who runs about like a headless chicken.

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abc100 says...
12:44pm Fri 15 Feb 13

It's only a few that can't help themselves but to moan at Brett, old big nose at the back of the north stand hates him for some reason, keep it up Brett your doing a great job

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Square Old Codger says...
12:51pm Fri 15 Feb 13

abc100 wrote:
It's only a few that can't help themselves but to moan at Brett, old big nose at the back of the north stand hates him for some reason, keep it up Brett your doing a great job
There are some who will never forgive a player who leaves the Club, McQuoid too gets unfair critism. There's no sentiment in business and Eddie and Jason will only pick the players that are effective and contribute to the team. Leave it to them - they know far more than we ever will.

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Afcbpete says...
1:52pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Square Old Codger wrote:
abc100 wrote:
It's only a few that can't help themselves but to moan at Brett, old big nose at the back of the north stand hates him for some reason, keep it up Brett your doing a great job
There are some who will never forgive a player who leaves the Club, McQuoid too gets unfair critism. There's no sentiment in business and Eddie and Jason will only pick the players that are effective and contribute to the team. Leave it to them - they know far more than we ever will.
I think it's more to do with the manner of their departure that rankles some. Josh has only shown glimpses of what we know he's capable of. It's like Brett, he actually has the ability to become one of our all time Great players. Super Mac was awesome, but if Brett can convert a higher percentage of his chances, together with some of those incredible finishes we know he can magic up, he COULD emulate the Great Ted IMHO. Brett has that amount of potential...

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ASM says...
2:09pm Fri 15 Feb 13

i was one of the ones having a go at him against pompy, don't get me wrong we were brilliant, but brett couldn't get into the game so much.
he completely shut me up by winning us the match against crewe. i think him and grabban are an excellent partnership, we have 2 real threats up front and we always look like scoring and rarely look in trouble at the back
jalal is back at his best
UTC

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stevobath says...
2:13pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Well if hes lazy & carries on scorig (9 in 12) then I'm quite happy for him tobe lazy...Not that I think he is.

SomePeople love t whinge...UC & Brett oo!

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raybren says...
4:48pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Eddie says he spoke to Brett when he
was younger about signs he gave off.
Excellent man management as many of
those traits are now gone.
As Brett matures we are benefiting by
having a great goalscorer and a good
all round bloke.

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smhinto says...
5:39pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Square Old Codger wrote:
abc100 wrote:
It's only a few that can't help themselves but to moan at Brett, old big nose at the back of the north stand hates him for some reason, keep it up Brett your doing a great job
There are some who will never forgive a player who leaves the Club, McQuoid too gets unfair critism. There's no sentiment in business and Eddie and Jason will only pick the players that are effective and contribute to the team. Leave it to them - they know far more than we ever will.
Agree about McQuoid. We must remember that we are playing him in a different role thatn when he was with us before. During his tenure he was used as an out and out striker as opposed to the wide role of which he seems to be utilised in now,
.
Regards

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susi.m says...
5:51pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Brett has come back to us a much better and more intelligent player. He is so much more match aware and is certainly less selfish.
I trust Eddie and Jasons judgement

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jakeysredd says...
6:22pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Have to admit I was a bit critical in his first few games, now hes getting back to full fitness seems like the old 'chicken' is back, great typical Brett goal at Crewe, my lad wont let me forget wishing he would be subbed at home to Crewe then scores a hattrick, guess thats why I was never a football manager, Would be great to get another win tomorrow at Preston keep it going the Mighty Cherries,

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West moors 1 says...
10:42pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Pitmans good enough for league one, but If we go up I believe we will see a new striker come in during the summer transfer window. Would still love to see Tubbs get a proper chance and also McQuoid back up front. We are looking good and with McDonald back in the squad, our chances of promotion just get better. Up the cherries!

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