Brett Pitman is hoping to fire Bournemouth to promotion this season and is already becoming a cult hero at Dean Court. The 21-year-old was named PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for September as his goals helped the Cherries to the top of the League Two table.
The Jersey-born striker has already snared seven goals this term and is enjoying life under the tutelage of the Football League’s youngest manager Eddie Howe.
The thirty-something boss not only kept
Bournemouth afloat last season despite a 17-point deduction but he is proving that a constant battle against financial restrictions is no object this term either.
All of which means that
Pitman is thriving and wants to ensure that the Cherries are in the promotion shake up come May, as he told Givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson in an exclusive interview.
Q: Were you surprised to win the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for September?
A: I am surprised to win any award as you don’t go out on to the pitch thinking about winning awards. However, if you do win it then it must mean that things are going well for the team, which they are, and I am grateful to all the supporters who backed me for this award.
Q: Are you happy with how this season has gone?
A: The season has gone well so far for both the team and for me individually. I’d like to think that they both run together and it continues for the rest of the season.
Q: How much of a positive influence has Eddie Howe had on your career since taking charge?
A: My career has been on an upward curve since the gaffer took charge. If I’ve been fit then he has always picked me, which is good for your confidence. It is always nice to be playing first team football and he allows me to go out and express myself and play with confidence. He has been very good for my game.
Q: What are his qualities as a manager?
A: He is very organised and his preparations for each game are very good. The fact that he gives us confidence to go out and play and enjoy our football is another good point as that is the best way of approaching games. We also try and win every game and he has got us working very hard to try and achieve that goal.
Q: Is promotion the aim for this season?
A: Promotion is definitely the aim for this season and it’s all going well at the moment. However, we are not getting carried away by any stretch of the imagination and taking each game as it comes.
Q: Have the well publicised financial difficulties affected the players at all?
A: We’re used to it to be honest, so it doesn’t affect us as players. This season has been a lot better than last year as losing 17 points hit us really hard. We just view it as part of everyday life now and get on with our football as we have nothing to do with that side of it.”
Q: Have you set yourself a goals target for the season?
A: I don’t set myself targets. I will just take each game as it comes as I want to enjoy my football and play with confidence, which I am doing.
Q: How much of an influence is your striking partner Steve Fletcher - who is at the opposite age of the age spectrum to you?
A: He’s still young at heart! ‘Fletch’ is a massive help to myself and the rest of the team. From a personal perspective he takes a lot of the pressure off me both aerially and physically, in terms of holding the ball up. He is a really good voice on and off the pitch and makes a valuable contribution to the team.
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