Eddie Howe warning Bournemouth to take nothing for granted

Posted Saturday, February 10, 2018 by PA

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe wants his players to tackle Sunday’s trip to relegation battlers Huddersfield with the same mindset which saw them win 3-0 at Chelsea.

The Cherries are on the back of an unbeaten eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, which saw a home victory over Arsenal followed up by an impressive result at Stamford Bridge.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, have slumped to six straight defeats, which puts the promoted side second from bottom.

Howe, though, has warned against any complacency from his team, having struggled to string a run of results together themselves earlier in the campaign.

“I think it is a dangerous thing to look at who you are playing and where they are situated in the league, and that gives you more chance to win,” the Bournemouth manager said.

“This year has proved the league is unpredictable. The challenge, no matter who you are playing, is extreme and you cannot lose your focus.

“We prepared very well for the Chelsea game, and the players were very good mentally before the game – I want them to hit those levels before every game, no matter who we are playing.”

Howe added: “We are very pleased with the month we have had, with the momentum and form of the team.

“I am delighted with the response to a tough Christmas period and how we have come through that, but now we need to back it up with some important games to come.”

Howe believes Bournemouth’s upturn in form following a run which saw four defeats in six games is down to the “mental strength” of everyone at the club.

“Every phase of the season is a real test, there is no let up,” he said.

“You can have runs where you don’t win or pick up points and the outlook can look pretty bleak.

“That is where the mental strength of your squad and yourself is tested, and that is where you need to be very strong.”

Howe, though, is not expecting anything else than another stern test at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“We respect Huddersfield, we know how good they can be and that going away from home, this is going to be a tough game,” Howe said at a press conference, broadcast on the club’s official website.

“With the league being so tight, that is why we need to be on our guard and know that nothing is done or has been achieved yet.

“We have still got a lot more work to do.”