‘My players have done themselves proud,’ says Bournemouth boss Howe

Eddie Howe has challenged his Bournemouth side to serve up one final slice of heroism when they bring the curtain down on their season at Leicester City on Sunday.

The Cherries sealed their Premier League status for next term with a point against Stoke City on May 6 and, with a game left to play, are three points better off than last season.

Bournemouth boss Howe looks back fondly on his team’s performances against some of the league’s bigger fish over the last nine months and believes that his troops can salute a job well done, particularly if they sign off with a good result at the King Power Stadium.

“It’s been a good season to this point and we want to finish on a high if we can,” said Howe.

(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

“The players haven’t switched off and with our good late form, it’s been a very successful season.

“The first year [in the Premier League] was tough; everything we expected it to be. We thought the second would be harder and that has been the case.

“We’ve managed to control the pitfalls and the players deserve a lot of credit for not letting their work-rate and focus slip.

“There have been several moments to look back on – the Liverpool games, home and away, were obviously big ones, as well as drawing with Tottenham and beating Everton here at Vitality Stadium.

“The draw at Old Trafford [against Manchester United], especially in the circumstances, was also a heroic effort from the players.”