AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said he is keen to “show everybody we don’t feel our season is over” ahead of tomorrow’s home fixture against Burnley.
This comes after a poor run of form for the Cherries, who have only mustered one victory in their last eight matches.
But Howe is determined to end the season on a high note with just six games left to go.
“We’re very keen to perform tomorrow for a whole host of reasons,” Howe said.
“The main thing being [is] that last week [a 2-0 loss to Leicester] we felt we were disappointed with what we delivered.
“But the lads have trained very well this week. There has been a good response to the disappointment, and we’re very keen to try and put last week right”
Howe also mentioned that full-back Adam Smith’s injury woes was improving, but warned “you have to be very careful” with hamstring injuries and hesitated to set a return date.
Steve Cook was also still “quite a long way away from being available for selection” as the centre-half recovers from his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Away from the match, the Bournemouth manager was pleased with the news that a new training ground was being built at the Canford Magna Golf Club site.
“[It’s] brilliant news. I think it’s given everyone at the football club a huge lift,” Howe said.
“[There is a ] desperate need to continue to keep moving the club forward. To keep that feeling of progression internally and externally, it’s so important.”
“The owner, Maxim [Demin], and the board of directors have done really well in seeing that forward thinking, because the training ground is the bedrock of every football club.”
Howe then spoke of not setting goal targets for strikers Callum Wilson and Josh King, who have 12 and 11 Premier League goals respectively this season.
“I’d be very reluctant to sit down and discuss goal targets with any players,” Howe added.
“Because then their sole objective becomes goals, albeit that is of course their job.
“To make that their sole objective is dangerous. It can turn players selfish [and make them] not think of the team.
“We pride ourselves in working as a team rather than as individuals. All I will say is if the team plays well invariably, they will get goals.”
AFC Bournemouth vs Burnley takes place at Vitality Stadium tomorrow at 3pm. Follow @nerve_sport on Twitter for LIVE updates.