Eddie Seeks Positives - Howe pleased despite heavy defeat

Cherries reserve team Manager Eddie Howe says there were plenty of positives to take from this evenings reserve game.

A team consisting of eight youth team on the field at the final whistle went down 7-1 against an extremely competent Bristol City outfit with plenty of experience dubbed "a second first team" by Robins Manager Gary Johnson.

But Eddie Howe refused to be downbeat and pointed at a number of encouraging factors to take from the match.

Howe said, "I thought we did very well in the circumstances given the team we put out and the team they had. It was virtually the team that won promotion for them last season to the Championship.

"The attitude of the lads was fantastic and I think the scoreline flattered them a little bit. We also had chances to have scored a few more ourselves.

"You can take a huge positive from Garreth O'Connor's workrate tonight. Brett Pitman also covered a lot of ground and he tired a bit towards the end from a few hard days of training.

"Our young lads also did really well tonight and never let their heads drop. People will see the score and think Bournemouth were smashed, but we've got a lot of positives to take from tonight."

Cherries: Stewart, Reeve, Finlay (Newton 59), Queree, Newman, Partington, Pitman (Hutchings 74), Christophe (E Cooper 2), Vokes, Whittingham, O'Connor.
Subs not used: Pryce, Webb.