EDDIE Howe admitted Marc Pugh had emphatically answered his early doubters after the winger made his 250th appearance for Cherries against Arsenal on Sunday.

Boss Howe revealed how some had questioned the fee that Cherries had paid Hereford for Pugh's services in 2010, an initial £60,000 which rose to £100,000.

But six years later and with Pugh an integral part of the Dorset club's first top-flight season, Howe said the wide man had proved a bargain.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "I remember the tribunal coming back to us and I saw the face of Jeff Mostyn and it was like we had signed a player for £100million!

"We had gone out on a limb and said 'we must sign this player' and I think everyone in the club was very shocked by the size of the fee.

"They were questioning whether he was going to be a good signing for the money we were having to pay. Thankfully, those questions have been answered. Marc has proved a great signing."

Pugh has scored in the top five divisions of English football, a set he completed when he netted against West Ham in August.