Friday 25 August 2017 11:37, UK
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he hasn't ruled out adding late summer signings to his squad but admitted the club are "not close" to announcing a new arrival.
The Cherries host Manchester City on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, having lost their opening two games of the campaign with defeats to West Brom and Bournemouth.
A midweek 2-1 win over Birmingham in the Carabao Cup saw Howe's side record their first win of the season.
When asked how he assesses the club's Premier League form up to now, Howe said: "Not great. The results are one thing but the performances have been the most disappointing factor in that.
"I don't think we've got going yet.
"We need to make sure this weekend, with the quality of the opposition we're up against, that we really do fire, because if we don't it is going to be another really difficult afternoon.
"We've always been free-flowing attacking and a side that creates chances. The frustrating thing is, in the first two games, we didn't do that."
Bournemouth acted early in the transfer window to seal the signatures of Jermain Defoe from Sunderland, Asmir Begovic from Chelsea, Connor Mahoney from Blackburn and Nathan Ake, who joined from Chelsea for a club-record £20m.
Howe earlier this month insisted he is "happy" with the club's transfer business, but revealed he is open to more additions - a stance he reinforced on Friday.
"We're not close," he said of the club's chances of securing a new signing.
"Let's wait and see. I'm not ruling anything out. I've said the same answer I think for about a month now.
"I'm not ruling anything out but certainly not ruling anything in, that's what I'd say."
Howe claims his team must "show fight" against Manchester City if they are to get any points on the board and expressed his respect towards City manager Pep Guardiola.
"This game will be a different game to others but we have respect for them, they're a tough team to play against, we have to be at our best to get something from the match," Howe said.
"They've been good against us, they use the ball well and counter-attacked us with effect last season.
"The challenge is a tough one, our last game against them was our most effective game though.
"The most important thing this weekend is the performance, we need to show the fight and re-engage the fans with us.
"Pep is everything you perceive him to be, an intense and really nice guy who is football obsessed.
"He's a brilliant addition to the Premier League."
