Friday 27 September 2019 12:34, UK
Eddie Howe believes Bournemouth’s Carabao Cup exit will not detract from their fine start to the Premier League season as the Cherries look to extend their winning streak in the league against West Ham on Saturday.
Bournemouth suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to League One side Burton Albion on Wednesday night, with boss Howe coming in for criticism for making 10 changes to the team that had beaten south-coast rivals Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's the previous Friday.
However, Howe defended his team selection, believing there were plenty of positives from the game, particularly the return of captain Simon Francis, Lloyd Kelly and Arnaut Groeneveld from injury.
"To have our captain Simon Francis back in our ranks is a huge lift as well as the two players we signed in the summer," he said.
"It's great for the group and I'm really excited for what lies ahead because we've still got three or four quality players to come back in and that will make us even better.
"We've got a really young squad this year, some really talented young players that we want to give opportunities to and if I don't play them in that game [against Burton] when do I play them?
"It's important we don't forget the positivity of our early-season form as well - the result [3-1 win] against Everton and the result against Southampton."
Those two victories see Bournemouth go into Saturday's home game sixth in the table and looking for their third league win in a row, against a similarly in-form West Ham side who the Cherries did the double over last season.
"It'll be a really good game, two teams that want to play their football and obviously we want to come out on top," Howe added.
"From our perspective we are looking to find a bit of consistency that eluded us at times last season.
"Everyone is fighting for that in this league but we would love to win three in a row. It would be the first time we've been about to do that for a while so it will be a huge incentive."
Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam shares his thoughts from Eddie Howe's news conference...
"When Bournemouth crashed out of the League Cup to Burton on Wednesday night the knives, somewhat surprisingly, came out for manager Eddie Howe.
"Yes, that's right, the man who guided the club from League Two to the Premier League.
"The same man who kept them in the top flight for four successive seasons (this is the fifth). The same man who has masterminded the best football seen in Bournemouth since the club was formed in 1899. The man who, in 2018, was handed the freedom of the town.
"Was I shocked at the reaction? Very is the answer.
"Howe breezed into the press room at the Vitality Stadium in the same manner he does every Friday morning. Journalists waiting, notepads filled with questions, me included.
"Question one: Are you surprised at the reaction to losing on Wednesday night?
"Howe's response: 'I loved the team I picked, it was filled with quality players. For whatever reason on the night, that didn't show. I can't be wise after the event, I can only pick the team that I feel is the right team and that team had the ability to win'.
"Remember in 2011 when Birmingham shocked Arsenal to win the League Cup…then got relegated.
"I'm sure most Blues fans would have rather had another eight years of Premier League football than their moment of glory.
"On Saturday, Bournemouth, currently sixth host West Ham in fifth. Last season Howe did the double over Manuel Pellegrini. Another win and Bournemouth could start next week in the top four.
"League cup defeat? Don't care mate."
This season you can watch Premier League highlights just after the full-time whistle for free and without being a Sky Sports subscriber.
We'll bring you highlights of every Premier League game on the Sky Sports website and app at full-time or from 5.15pm on Saturday afternoons.
You'll also be able to watch in-game goals from Sky Live games on Twitter and catch Premier League highlights on our Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
