Eddie Howe denies rift with Norwich over Lewis Grabban bid
Thursday 10 September 2015 18:58, UK
Eddie Howe has dismissed suggestions of a rift between Bournemouth and Norwich following the Cherries' failed attempt to sign Lewis Grabban last month.
Grabban, who was keen on a return to his former club, walked out of the team hotel before Norwich's Capital One Cup victory over Rotherham on August 25 and was consequently suspended for a breach of discipline.
Bournemouth signed Glenn Murray from Crystal Palace instead, but speaking ahead of his side's trip to Norfolk this weekend, Howe said any potential disruption to Norwich should not cause any antipathy between the two clubs.
"I don't see why we should, to be honest," said Howe when asked if his team can expect a negative reception at Carrow Road.
"Certainly not from our side, and of course we hope from their side. We're competitors, we're two teams that were in the same league last year and fought a really good battle to try and get out of the Championship, and both sides were successful. And now we're going against each other in the Premier League - it should be a good match.
"They've made a decent start [to the season]. It's always tough when you come up to a new league, to know how you're going to update to the challenges that you're faced with.
"But I think they proved, going to Sunderland and winning, and getting a good draw against Stoke, that they're going to be competitive this year, I've got no doubt about that.
"They've got a good squad of players and they're very well managed, that's obvious, so we're expecting a tough challenge.
"I don't think it's right to speculate or to talk about other people's players. This game gives us a good marker, to see how much we've improved during the summer to now."
