Eddie Howe proud of how far Bournemouth have come but knows there is still work to be done

The Cherries were taken to the cleaners by Tottenham at White Hart Lane shipping four to the title-chasers marking the 12th time they have conceded three or more this season

Eddie Howe knows Bournemouth must regroup if they're to avoid the drop (Getty)

Eddie Howe is proud of how far Bournemouth have come but knows there is work still to do to make sure they remain a Premier League team next season.

The Cherries were taken to the cleaners by a rampant Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday shipping four to the title-chasers marking the 12^th time they have conceded three or more this season alone.

The writing was on the wall early as two goals in three first-half minutes effectively ended the game and threw Howe’s pre-match gameplan firmly out the window.

“It was very difficult,” he admitted afterwards. “We did have a plan, we wanted to stay in the game, we wanted to make it difficult for them, frustrate them. That doesn’t happen when they score then two goals. Then it was a case of getting in at half time at two and trying something different to get back into the game.

“We did change things at half time but it was short lived because they scored straight after the break. From that moment really, as much as you want to chase the game and try and get something from it, it was tough to do that.”

The result leaves Howe’s side seven points and, more pressingly, just two places off the relegation zone. The faithful away support, who have watched their team rise from administration in the fourth tier all the way up to the top of the footballing pyramid in less than a decade, kept the faith until the very end and Howe is under no illusions that they deserve much better over the remainder of the season.

“They were fantastic to be cheering us and supporting us when we’re 4-0 down. It’s rare,” he added. “They acknowledge where we are as a club and the journey we’ve been on, and we really do appreciate that. Hopefully with the remaining games we can achieve our aims and stay in the Premier League for another year, which would be a great achievement.”

Will one more win do it? “You’re not going to put those words in my mouth,” he said. “We’re looking for as many points as we can.”