Pugh: Onwards and upwards

AFC Bournemouth midfielder Marc Pugh is delighted to see the return of Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall to the club.

Pugh was the only surviving member in Saturday's starting line up of Howe's last game in charge against Colchester in January 2011, when it had earlier that day been announced that he would be leaving the Cherries for Championship side Burnley.

With Howe returning following 21 months in charge of Burnley, Pugh now believes that it's onwards and upwards for the Cherries, with the players knowing that they will have to impress to keep their place in the squad.

Pugh told the Daily Echo...

"(Howe) expects and demands the best. If you aren`t performing, he will tell you. He makes training enjoyable and everybody works hard. He doesn`t tolerate below-par performances. We had a small squad when he was here before and you always needed to perform well to keep your place.

"Football is a ruthless game. Although it is a team game and you have got to perform for one another while you are on the pitch, you have also got to look after yourself and strive to be the best. When you are training and playing, you need to prove you are worth a place in the starting line-up."

"It was good to know they would be coming in. I worked under them before and they are winners and brought a lot of success to the club. Hopefully, it will be a case of onwards and upwards for us now they are back. The club has done really well to get them back."

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