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First Team

Howe - We're kicking ourselves

Eddie Howe says his side will be coming home regretting their lack of result after losing 1-0 at Molineux.

Raul Jimenez's header in the second half secured the point for the Champions League-chasing hosts, with the Cherries largely defending stoutly but unable to get themselves on the scoresheet.

After the match, Howe gave his thoughts to afcbTV.

"Very disappointed, really hurting at the moment," he said. "The run of results we've been on at the moment has been very difficult to take.

"We look back and we'll be kicking ourselves that we didn't get at least a draw. There was very little in the game, I thought the lads gave everything to a really good defensive performance.

"Then one moment costs us and we're kicking ourselves really.

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"I thought we started the game really well and we penned them back in. We had a number of set plays and half chances, no real clear-cut chances, they're a difficult team create against.

"The two teams we've played against, Crystal Palace and Wolves, are very solidly defensively, but they didn't hurt us too much at the other end and it's that moment and the goal that we'll reflect on and be hard on ourselves about.

"Today we were probably below where we normally are, that's the disappointment, and I think if we had been better there would have been moments for us to hurt them on transitions."

Philip Billing returned to the starting 11 following injury before hobbling off after the break, with Howe able to turn to attackers Harry Wilson, Dominic Solanke and Arnaut Danjuma from the bench.

The manager assessed his options: "We were forced to a degree, Phil picked up a dead leg, he thought he'd be fine to carry on but he couldn't after half time and then we had David Brooks and Junior Stanislas who haven't had a great deal of football.

"They were enforced changes but we have a good squad to make those changes and try to impact the game."

Defender Lloyd Kelly came on late in the game to make his Premier League bow towards the end of a frustrating season affected by injury. 

"I was pleased for him to make his debut," said Howe. "He's trained well and you can see physically he looks the part he got good statute and a lovely left foot.

"It was a big moment for him and I thought he did well when he came on."

Attentions now turn to next Wednesday and the Cherries' crunch match at home to Newcastle United, with Howe well aware of the size of the fixture for his side.

He explained: "They are all big and they get bigger. We're aware of that and we've got to make sure we're at our very best."