Cherries: Boss Howe insists players are starting with a clean slate

BOSS: Eddie Howe BOSS: Eddie Howe

NEW Cherries boss Eddie Howe says every member of his squad will start with a clean slate and insists there will be no special treatment for any player.

Howe has spent his first few days back in the hot-seat assessing his resources after inheriting a 32-man first-team squad, the biggest in the club’s history.

Four players – Marc Pugh, Stephen Purches, Steve Fletcher and Harry Arter – were signed by Howe during his first spell as manager, while another three – Shwan Jalal, Joe Partington and Josh McQuoid – played under him between January 2009 and January 2011. Mark Molesley was given a permanent deal by Howe after signing on loan under Jimmy Quinn.

And while Howe has already indicated he plans to reduce numbers, he also says every player will be given an opportunity, either in training or in games, before any decisions are made.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Howe said: “You build an opinion very quickly on a player. We would always give someone a chance and Jason Tindall and myself have always had the same opinion on that.

“You have to give people an opportunity to impress and we are going to do that with all the players here.

“That is not to say you cannot make a quick decision on someone and we are both brave enough that, if we form an opinion quickly, we will make it known and take the appropriate action.

“You can see in training what you need to see in games. Sometimes, there are occasions when you will need to see players in a game environment to see how they react to certain situations.

“But, in terms of something like attitude, you can tell that just from a weight session. We are quickly forming opinions on the character of players and, sometimes, that is the most important thing.”

Howe fielded a strong team in the midweek win over Winchester City in the Hampshire Senior Cup and revealed certain first-team players had asked to feature.

Donal McDermott netted twice in Cherries’ 6-0 win, while Jalal, Stephane Zubar, Gary Bowles and Jon Meades also lined up in front of Howe and Tindall who were both present.

Howe said: “A couple of players who haven’t had a lot of football asked to play. We had one eye on training so we didn’t want to risk one or two.

“But the lads who played showed great attitude and desire and there were some good performances.”

He added: “Players we managed previously will not get any special favours and neither will the new players. It will be based on who I think is best for the job.”

Comments(21)

tricky1007 says...
6:18am Fri 19 Oct 12

Be interesting to see if Tubbs gets a chance, as Eddie never spoke to him when he took over last time, and matt went back to Salisbury at the end of his loan deal.

afcb-mark says...
7:36am Fri 19 Oct 12

Hoping for a win tomorrow. Good luck for your first game back Eddie and Jason.

ChilledCherry says...
8:57am Fri 19 Oct 12

How I've missed all these sensible, honest comments from the Gaffa at AFCB. I'd forgotten how professional Eddie is and I think it's something we've been missing before he came in. You know he's fair, but also no mug - time for the players to step up and show him who is worth the shirt. Good luck on Saturday lads, another win would be perfect!

Square Old Codger says...
9:05am Fri 19 Oct 12

I have no doubt that all players will be given a fair chance, Interesting that Eddie mentioned character - when he built his first team here, character was very much a part of his recruitment criteria - good luck tomorrow. Was also interested to hear Eddie say on Solent this morning that clear lines of demarcation had been agreed with the Board before they signed - no interference in on field matters and no Directors in the dressing room, unless invited. As he rightly said - we succeed or fail through our own efforts.

RICHSKI says...
9:41am Fri 19 Oct 12

Really looking forward to tmorrow. Think it will be really interesting to see what team Eddie picks. Think we may get a few surprises. Hope we see Cook back. Think we may see Donal and Josh back in. Haven't felt this good about a game for ages. COME ON YOU CHERRIES!!!!!!

the amazon returns again says...
9:45am Fri 19 Oct 12

ChilledCherry wrote:
How I've missed all these sensible, honest comments from the Gaffa at AFCB. I'd forgotten how professional Eddie is and I think it's something we've been missing before he came in. You know he's fair, but also no mug - time for the players to step up and show him who is worth the shirt. Good luck on Saturday lads, another win would be perfect!
Spot on post ChilledCherry, Echo please keep Mr "I'd cut my own throat before I'd tell a Lie" Mitchell off the sports pages.

In Howe we trust - Roll on Saturday

Piston_Broke says...
9:46am Fri 19 Oct 12

Whilst I obviously hope for 3 points tomorrow, let's not all get too downbeat if we don't get a good result. Tranmere are absolutely buzzing this season, and scoring goals for fun. I'm sure we can give them a good game, but let's be realistic - a draw tomorrow would (probably) be a good point!

let football be the winner says...
10:28am Fri 19 Oct 12

Piston_Broke wrote:
Whilst I obviously hope for 3 points tomorrow, let's not all get too downbeat if we don't get a good result. Tranmere are absolutely buzzing this season, and scoring goals for fun. I'm sure we can give them a good game, but let's be realistic - a draw tomorrow would (probably) be a good point!
I agree but will depend on the team, the defence this year has been hopeless lots of talk and no action, hope EH realises that Addison is a rugby Prop and will never be a footballer. lots of shaking of the head rubbing of the head shouting and talking however he should seriously look at his own performances and retire now

abc100 says...
11:19am Fri 19 Oct 12

I really hope it's Zubar & Cook at the back tomorrow, firstly cos I really believe they are the two best centre backs we have, in Zubars case he is so infectious that it rubs of on the other players and the more the fans get behind him he plays even better and creates a fantastic atmosphere which can only lift the team as we saw last week

bollybear says...
11:59am Fri 19 Oct 12

Completely agree,abc100. Addison and Elphick have been a disaster,especially at set pieces.
Every team needs a Zubar type character that will excite the crowd and get them fully behind the team.That player doesn't have to be the best,but show 100% committment to the cause.
The last couple of players of that ilk were Marvin and John Bailey. Both could start a fight in an empty telephone box but they really got the fans behind them.
Couple that with the return of the "prodigal" and the roof will come off Dean Court !

BackOfTheNet says...
12:02pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Only one goal conceded in the last two games, so I'm not expecting major changes at the back.

Tough start tomorrow, but against the runaway leaders with the crowd cheering us on (instead of abusing players) we'll hopefully give them a game.

The "new" management team will make mistakes as before, but we'll all be behind them whatever happens. UTCIAD

abc100 says...
12:35pm Fri 19 Oct 12

bollybear wrote:
Completely agree,abc100. Addison and Elphick have been a disaster,especially at set pieces. Every team needs a Zubar type character that will excite the crowd and get them fully behind the team.That player doesn't have to be the best,but show 100% committment to the cause. The last couple of players of that ilk were Marvin and John Bailey. Both could start a fight in an empty telephone box but they really got the fans behind them. Couple that with the return of the "prodigal" and the roof will come off Dean Court !
Like my dad has always said" the most popular players are not always the best ones but the ones that give everything every time they play" I hate it when he is right!!!

Ashleyafcb says...
1:22pm Fri 19 Oct 12

marvin bartley wasnt a gifted footballer but busted a gut every week thats the attitude we need and PLAY THEM IN CORRECT POSITIONS grabban is a striker not a winger tubbs is a poacher not a lay off man ....

longtimefanlongwayaway says...
1:53pm Fri 19 Oct 12

"Your targets have to change because of where we are. The chairman would have been happy with 50 points around April time, but the way we're going, we might have them for Christmas".

Ronnie Moore today.

Bring it on.

kangman2012 says...
2:47pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Please Eddie, it has to be Zubar and Cook at the back. Give the two clowns a much needed rest - they must be exhausted from their "matinee" performances - UTC!

West moors 1 says...
6:02pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Hope the lads dig deep and get a result tomorrow. Cook and zuber, hope they get the nod and whoever wrote that zubars attitude is infectious, you're right and it's just what we need. Tubbs, hope you get a chance, you're class and don't forget it. Up the cherries

Red Sky says...
7:11pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Was speaking to a Barnsley fan today who said that Addison more or less refused to play at CB when he was there, citing his favoured position as Defensive Midfielder. Hoping he's saying a similar thing to Eddie this week. Don't think he's a bad player at all, he's just not agile enough to play at centre back.

afcdibby says...
9:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Wouldn,t expect to hear anything less.

Afcb4life says...
3:58am Sat 20 Oct 12

Ashleyafcb wrote:
marvin bartley wasnt a gifted footballer but busted a gut every week thats the attitude we need and PLAY THEM IN CORRECT POSITIONS grabban is a striker not a winger tubbs is a poacher not a lay off man ....
U chat crap
Grabban is a winger he can't shoot don't no how he got 26 goals in league two just shows the step up

Oakdale12 says...
1:15pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Addison is donkey and a waste of money, let him go in Jan.

afcb4ever says...
1:31pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Addison would be better as a defensive midfielder but we have Richard Hughes there. We need 2 up front, poss Barnard and Tubbs. As we do not have 2 natural wingers we will need to use Grabban there till Eddie can get someone else in.

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