Howe: We’re playing with confidence

By Jonathan Nagioff (@jonathannagioff)

AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says confidence is flowing through his side as they prepare to face in-form Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Javi Gracia’s side sit just above Cherries in sixth place, level on 13 points with Eddie Howe’s men who are in seventh, their best ever start to a Premier League season.

Cherries recorded their fourth win of the campaign, dramatically beating Crystal Palace on Monday night, following Junior Stanislas’ 87^th minute spot kick. 

And Howe believes his side is making good progress ahead of their final game, prior to a two week lay-off for the upcoming international break.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Howe told the media: “What I am seeing is a very competitive league and there are such tight games and very few things between two teams.

“The ability every week to give your best and find that level is easier said than done. For us, we’re trying to find that.

“I believe that we’re a team that’s improving and playing with confidence. We want to win on Saturday and that’s our only focus.”

The Hornets are without a win in four games having won their first five matches in all competitions.

Gracia’s men boast an impressive home record however, winning three of their four matches at Vicarage Road this term, losing only to Manchester United last month.

“Watford look creative, they have a physical threat and players that can score goals.

“We want to perform to our best levels.

“Watford have been playing very well. Yes, they lost at Arsenal but they performed well and created plenty of chances.”

Howe also touched on the club’s proposals to move to a new stadium, with shareholders and the board of directors announcing this week that plans to build a new stadium by 2020 were ‘overly optimistic.’

Club shareholders admitted that “financial risks” were the ultimate stumbling block between the Cherries building on their 11,000-seater stadium prior to the 2020-2021 season.

He continued: “The shareholders have always acted so positively to the club and their will is to take the club forward.

“We would love a new stadium, really for the supporters. Of course, for the players too but we have to focus on what we do have and not what we don’t.”

Kick off at Vicarage Road tomorrow is at 3pm.