BOSS Eddie Howe has warned Cherries they will risk losing their unbeaten record if they allow their high standards to drop.

Cherries will bid to extend their proud 12-match sequence when they host Colchester United at Dean Court tomorrow (3pm).

Colchester, in stark contrast, visit Dorset on the back of six losses in their past seven games.

But Howe is adamant Cherries will not sway from the approach which has seen them surge to within four points of the League One play-off zone.

He told the Daily Echo: “We are aware that we can’t get ahead of ourselves or take our foot off the pedal. A lot of that comes from how we train.

“I have been very pleased with how the players have trained this week. They have got a good balance about them at the moment where they are confident and playing with freedom but they are still aware that you can’t take liberties with the game.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing, if you drop your standards, intensity levels and quality by any percentage, you risk losing a game.”

Cherries have failed to beat Colchester in a home league game since 1999, with three draws and four defeats since then.

Discussing the U’s, Howe added: “We have had Bury and Scunthorpe away from home recently where it has been a very quick game and very up and at them and in our faces. I think this will be a different challenge.”

  • Former vice-chairman Steve Sly yesterday confirmed that he had stepped down as a director of AFC Bournemouth. Sly politely declined to do an interview with the Echo when contacted yesterday morning.