Eddie Howe responds to Alan Shearer's jibe Bournemouth playing as if on "holiday"

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has rejected Alan Shearer's claims that his team are playing like they are already "on holiday" following their recent performances in the Premier League.

The Cherries, who have all but secured their safety in the top flight, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on March 20 and were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City last weekend.

Howe was asked about Shearer's comments in his pre-match press conference, and has insisted that his players are fully committed to every game.

"He is entitled to his opinion and I have no issue there," the Daily Echo quotes Howe as saying. "I can assure people we are not on holiday. We pride ourselves on being professional and treating every game with the same importance.

"We prepared very well for the Manchester City game but didn't perform and it was the same for Tottenham. It is up to us to respond to those comments in the right way and that is on the pitch."

Bournemouth are 13th in the table, 11 points above relegation.