Bournemouth’s Howe full of praise for hard-working Gradel

Eddie Howe admits he has sympathy for Bournemouth winger Max Gradel, and understands his frustrations at not getting regular football on the south coast.

The Ivorian has yet to even start a Premier League game so far this season, coming on nine times as a substitute having switched from Saint-Etienne in 2015.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

Luck has not been on Gradel’s side ever since moving to the Vitality Stadium, injury-prone in his first season prior to making do with fleeting appearances.

But manager Howe insists he is aware it is a difficult time for the 29-year-old, full of praise for the player for maintaining his work ethic.

“When you have a squad off 22 or 23 players, you can do the maths. You will have players who aren’t playing. They are paid to play, their job is to play, so it is difficult for them,” he said.

“It is about controlling those emotions and there will always be reasons why you are not playing.

“You have to understand what they are, then go onto the training ground to work on those and make yourself better.

“That is how we try to work with the players: we are honest in our communication with them, then put them to work to try to improve those areas.

“Max has been brilliant, he really has. His attitude has not changed. He is still a very enthusiastic and popular member of the squad. He has a great attitude to his work and we will sit down in the summer and have a talk.”