Howe challenges Bournemouth to achieve record finish

Eddie Howe has challenged his Bournemouth squad to see how high up the Premier League table they can get in their remaining three games.

Bournemouth are tenth in the league table ahead of the weekend nine points clear of the relegation zone and just three behind West Brom in eighth.

A record top-flight finish is within sight for the Cherries but Howe is determined to mathematically secure safety against Stoke this weekend.

“We’re happy with our position as we stand right now, but we have three more big games for the football club. We want to finish as high as we can now, that’s the aim,” he said.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“Looking towards the long term the objective is always first to stay in the Premier League and we’ve not done that yet, we need to focus on that first and then it’s about finishing as high as you can and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.

“I just want to focus on the game and if we can win it then we’ll be mathematically safe and will be on for a very exciting end to the season.

“I don’t need any reminding but the money’s not the motivating factor, the will to win is. If you know me you’ll know my motivation is always to win and to inspire my team to go out and win.”