Eddie Howe keen to put Christmas behind him with win at Swansea

By Andy Swales

Friday 30 December 2016 14:18, UK

Eddie Howe is hoping a 'ruined' Christmas will become a 'happy' New Year, as Bournemouth prepare to face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

The Cherries were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea on Boxing Day and now face a trip to south Wales to take on the Premier League strugglers.

Howe admitted: "The Chelsea game ruined my Christmas. As always, what's going on with our results dictates my mood and how you enjoy your social time.

"It obviously didn't ruin it for the kids but, personally, it was a difficult Christmas period.

"The nature of the division is that you're always looking over your shoulder. We also want to look up the league table, because a couple of back-to-back wins can elevate you into a really good position.

"We know this is an important game and a key period for us. We've been a bit inconsistent of late and that is something we've talked about internally.

"We've turned in some good performances, but we need to do that on a more regular basis. With the New Year, that is something we're keen to address."

Howe also had sympathy for sacked Swansea manager Bob Bradley after just 11 games in charge.

Alan Curtis will take charge in a caretaker capacity on Saturday and Howe added: "It was hard for Bob Bradley.

"He wouldn't have had time to create his own culture and put his own ideas across, but that's the ruthlessness of this division and the scrutiny everyone is under.

"It won't be a massive upheaval for Swansea. In Alan Curtis they're turning to someone they know and trust."