Eddie is saving up for summer
EDDIE Howe defended the lack of spending by Bournemouth in the January window, clearly feeling British is best.
Howe came under attack from TV pundit Paul Merson for failing to make a single signing.
The Cherries manager, whose side host Stoke today, said: “From our perspective there was not an appetite from the club to spend too much in the window.
“We were looking at the market to see what was and wasn’t possible. You always have to have an open mind but the prices and fees are so expensive.
“If the money isn’t there, you can’t take a risk with other people’s money on somebody you aren’t 100 per cent sure about.
“The level of money we would need to improve the squad would be substantial. To find better players than we have would be big money and that was not there in this window. The summer window is always easier to manoeuvre in.
“My job is to work within the parameters the club set and I’m happy to do that and represent the club in the right way.”
Howe named nine British players in his starting line-up for Wednesday’s 3-0 win at champions Chelsea – arguably the best win in Bournemouth’s history.
Meanwhile, 25 of the 50 goals Stoke have leaked this season have been in the eight games when skipper Ryan Shawcross was missing from the team.
No wonder Potters manager Paul Lambert says his captain has been a huge part of their new-found meanness.
“I’ll bet even he doesn’t know that stat,” said Lambert. “All the ugly things you need from a defender he’s got in abundance.
“He’s still a good age too. At 30 his best years may still be ahead of him.”