BAD BOY JEFF’S STILL IN HOWE’S GOOD BOOKS 28 yellows in 40 games but Cherries boss is still urging Lerma to live on the edge

EDDIE HOWE has told Bournemouth bad boy Jefferson Lerma to keep living dangerously.

The Colombia midfielder, the Cherries’ record signing, is one yellow card away from becoming the fastest player in Premier League history to rack up 10 yellow cards and a two-match ban.

Since the start of last season the World Cup star has been booked a staggering 28 times in 40 matches.

Bournemouth boss Howe said: “It’s why in some respects we bought Jeff, not for the bookings but for the physical side of the game.

“For his ability to stop counter-attacks and to bring a steel to our midfield – there is a side-effect to that. Of course he has picked up bookings, he has been unlucky with a few and some have probably been deserved.

“We of course don’t want him suspended and to miss any game, but it looks like that is on the horizon. We just hope he can delay it for as long as he can. It is what it is, we can’t do anything about it.

“We can talk to Jeff and make sure he controls the number of bookings he gets, but a lot have been for moments and tackles where he is very much in the game and trying to stop certain situations occurring. You cannot stop the natural instinct he’s got.” Bournemouth take on Watford tonight and Howe (left) revealed that watching Graham Taylor’s Hornets as a kid fuelled his love of the game. Amersham-born Howe said: “The first stadium I ever

visited was Vicarage Road. I was born very close to Watford and until I moved down south when I was 10 I was watching Watford.

“They were in the old first division. There were some good games and it was my first experience of football. I have always watched out for Watford’s results and they are a club I like.

“I always enjoyed going to Vicarage Road and it’s a place with a lot of memories for me, but you focus on what you are doing now.

“Watford have done very well this season, have been on a similar journey to ourselves, had some good moments and some difficult moments, but they have players who can hurt you.

“Every game we have had against them has been a good battle.”