EDDIE HOWE believes the rise of the underdog could be in danger due to the Football League's financial fair play rules.
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| Eddie Howe believes financial fair play rules could hinder Football League clubs on the rise |
Bournemouth's remarkable progress through the divisions and into the Premier League reached dizzying heights earlier this month as they recorded back-to-back wins against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Boxing Day's determined draw with away-day experts Crystal Palace saw them extend their unbeaten run to six and moved them to 14th place, three points above the drop zone.
But the Cherries, promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history last season, are to receive a hefty fine following a breach of financial rules. Last season they spent in excess of £6m more than they generated and the amount they are fined will be determined by how much they went over.
"You are not going to get promotion to the Championship or out of the Championship and into the Premier League without some investment," said Howe. "And for a club like this, with the limited income we can generate, it does have to come from somewhere else.
"If you go back through history there are stories of teams who have achieved great things due to financial backing from an owner or a benefactor and they have enabled that side to push on to great things.
"The financial fair play structure will stop the underdog, it will stop the small team from having a chance to succeed, and I don't think anyone wants to see that. The rich get richer and the smaller clubs struggle to compete.
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| Bournemouth have been impressive in the Premier League after winning the Championship last season |
"We don't want a league table that picks itself, we still want that smaller club that can achieve great things. It is a really delicate balance and it is something football needs to think about before we go into a certain direction."
A point against a Palace side who had won 11 of their last 16 away matches was a severe test of their credentials. And while it lacked the glory of the United and Chelsea results, it installed further confidence ahead of their trip to Arsenal on Monday.
"The results against Chelsea and United help us because we have experienced those games before," Howe said. "The first couple we had we were understandably in awe but the last two we attacked like our normal selves. The fact we have been competitive and won a couple of those can only reinforce that belief."
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| Wilfried Zaha and Adam Smith collide as Bournemouth and Crystal Palace share a point |
Palace are also riding the crest of a wave and a point moved them up one place to fifth as Alan Pardew's men target European football at Selhurst Park next season.
They will however be without the talents of flying winger Yannick Bolasie, who has a hip problem, and striker Connor Wickham, for the foreseeable future.
Pardew said: "Bolasie's injury is up around his hip joint. We have to wait and see, sometimes they react well, he's had a scan, but we don't know how long. It could be four weeks or it could be eight.
"He's important, a player like him can make the difference but Connor [Wickham] just as much. Connor has been terrific for us, but this is why you have a squad. It gives other guys a chance."
Wilfried Zaha struggled to make an impact, mainly due to the dogged determination of Bournemouth's defensive midfielder Harry Arter.
"He was a little predictable in his movements," Pardew added. "He needs to bounce off the line, ask questions of the full-back. He's had a great season for us, but with Yala (Bolasie) lost he becomes even more important, and the opposition will look to snuff him out which Bournemouth tried to do.
"He tackles okay, he just doesn't like receiving them, nor does Puncheon or Yala, but he's been terrific, he's one of our star players."
BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Boruc 6; Smith 7, Cook 7, Francis 7, Daniels 8; Gosling 7 (Kermorgant 90), Surman 6; Arter 6 (O'Kane 46, 6), Stanislas 7, Ritchie 7; Murray 5 (Rantie 71). Booked: Arter.
CRYSTAL PALACE: (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 7; Ward 6, Delaney 6, Dann 6, Souare 7; Ledley 6 (Jedinak 73, 6), McArthur 6; Puncheon 7, Mutch 6 (Cabaye 46, 6), Zaha 5; Campbell 5 (Chamakh 67, 6).
Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).
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