Eddie Howe Admits Bournemouth Have a Lot of Work Ahead of Them After Middlesbrough Defeat

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has said his team need to improve after a below par performance condemned the Cherries to a2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.

Howe's menheaded into the match at the Riverside full of confidence after going four games unbeaten in the league but a poor display saw them slip to their fourth defeat of the season.

FULL-TIME Middlesbrough 2-0 Bournemouth. Gaston Ramirez's superb solo effort and a rare Stewart Downing header give Boro a fine win #MIDBOU pic.twitter.com/6SxklKDyCf

Having missed several clear cut chances at 0-0, Bournemouth were made to pay when Gaston Ramirez's phenomenal solo goal gave the home side a 1-0 lead at half time.Stewart Downing added a second after the interval, to round of a miserable afternoon for the South Coast club andthey are still yetto win a game away from home this season.

After the match, the Bournemouth manager was quick to bemoan his side's display and noted that they were short of their best.

Howe toldSky Sports:"The performance could have been better from our perspective.

"I thought in most elements we weren't quite at our very best levels today, with the ball we didn't move it quickly - which is unlike us - and it was frustrating at times with our decision making around their box, and out of possession I don't think we were as aggressive as we have been of late with our pressing.

"We had our moments in the game, we certainly had our chances. It was just one of those days where it didn't look like it was going to go in. We hit the woodwork twice, but it wasn't quite our normal self and in this league you get punished if you're not quite right."

Howe then turned his attentions to Middlesbrough's opening goal which saw Gaston Ramirez run with the ball from inside his own half before slotting past the helpless Artur Boruc in the Cherries' goal.

Eddie Howe says Andrew Surman has a hamstring injury. Worrying. #afcb

Whilst the Uruguayan will take the plaudits for his fineeffort, Howe questioned how his players had conceded a goal following an attack in the opposition's half.

He added:"There were a few bad decisions in that (first) goal. From their perspective they'll be pleased, but from ours ¦ we're trying to score at their end and then a few seconds later we're conceding and it's all our fault."

With Bournemouth now hosting rock bottom Sunderland next weekend, Howe reminded his team that they must improve quickly and rediscover the form which saw them climb into the top half of the table.

The Bournemouth manager said:"We're wanting more, we know there's more to come. When you look at performances like today you know the team's not where it needs to be, so there's a lot of hard work ahead.

"Now we've got to try and build again, try and set higher standards than today's performance. We've got some important games to come."