Eddie Howe Believes Stoke Win Could Be Turning Point for Cherries & Hopes They Find Their Best Form

After a Jekyll and Hyde performance which showed a dominant nature in the first half and a resolute performance in the second, Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe believes the 2-1 win against Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium could be a turning point for the visitors.

Offering his thoughts to the official club website post-match, the English manager understood that the game would be difficult in tricky conditions, as the wind played to the advantage of Stoke in the second half.

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"I thought we showed two sides to our game today, the football we played in the first-half was excellent, we were in control and moved the ball well," said Howe after the latest victory for Bournemouth.

"We knew at half-time the game would change. They brought on Crouch, the weather played a part, but it's pleasing that at 2-1 - with a large portion of the game left- we looked very solid."

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A Junior Stanislas inspired win keeps the Cherries second from bottom in the Premier League after six defeats, but the Bournemouth boss was pleased with his side's character in the face of adversity while reserving a special praise for the match winning striker.

"In recent performances we have been in games, they've been very tight," added Howe. "I have never doubted the players' character or desire to play for the club."

"We've not quite been ourselves at the start of the season, confidence is huge in sport and hopefully results like today turn us to our best."

"Junior is very good, we missed him earlier in the season. He's a goalscorer, last season he scored important goals and he's a creator too. At this level you can't have enough of those players and he was excellent today."