Howe: James took it like a man

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes there is no animosity with former England international David James after the 'keeper was dropped from the squad.

The former FA Cup winner had played every League One game since he joined the club in September, making 19 appearances including the 15 game unbeaten run which began in October and ended last weekend against Walsall.

He kept 6 clean sheets during those games, conceding 22. But following the 3-1 defeat by Walsall, Eddie Howe opted to drop James from the match day squad for the trip to Hartlepool, placing Shwan Jalal in goal with new signing Ryan Allsop on the bench.

Howe told the Daily Echo...

'David has done very well for us and been a big part of our unbeaten run. But we had to make a decision based more on distribution than goalkeeping. Shwan is an excellent footballer as well as an excellent goalkeeper so that is why we have come to the decision we have.

'I thought Shwan was excellent. His distribution was good and he made a couple of great saves in the first half. We didn`t have it all our own way. I was very pleased with him on his return to the side.

'David is still very much part of our squad and will be going forward. He took it like a man. He was disappointed. He is very much a team player and very much wants us to achieve our goal of promotion. There is certainly no animosity. He is a real gentleman. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions but it has been done with the best intentions.'

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