AFC Bournemouth: Eddie Howe relishing Swindon clash
Last updated on .From the section Football
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says he is relishing the visit of Swindon on Saturday and is urging the club's supporters to back his side in force.
The Cherries, who also host Wigan in the FA Cup on Tuesday, are expecting a bumper crowd and Howe wants that repeated for the rest of the year.
"It's another tough game for us," Howe told BBC South Today.
"But it will be a great occasion with two in-form teams in the division so it should be a really good spectacle."
The Cherries are currently unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions and are seventh in League One. Swindon, who occupy one of the four play-off position, are three points above them.
And Howe, who says he still intends to bring in "one or two quality additions" to his squad this month, wants the full support of the town to help them mount a promotion challenge.
"We are aware of Swindon's strengths. They've had a really good goal scoring run and they keep clean sheets as well so it's a good combination and we'll have to be at our best," he continued.
"You want to see stadiums full and people trying to get in who can't get a seat. That is the ideal world.
"It will be a test for us because next season, regardless of what level we are at, we want to see the stadium full and it's up to us to bring an exciting brand of football and hopefully the town will really get behind the team and I would say, so far, they have really done that."
Meanwhile, Cherries midfielder Marc Pugh has urged his team mates to continue their fine run and move into a play-off place by the end of the month.
"The confidence is sky high and we go into the Swindon game full of belief," Pugh told BBC Radio Solent.
"The boys are buzzing and we need to take care of our own performance, and I'm sure the results will take care of themselves.
"We were a millions miles off so it's an unbelievable achievement so far but we can't stop here. It's a big task for us.
"We've got a tough month coming up and we need to pick up a lot of points and hopefully we'll be in the play-offs come the end of the month"
