NEIL Moss has heaped praise on his defenders as he prepares to return to the Cherries goal for Saturday's Coca-Cola League One visit to Blackpool (Bloomfield Road, 3pm kick-off).

The 29 year-old shot-stopper was rested in the midweek LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Shrewsbury with a minor back strain but has recovered for the trip to the north west as Cherries go looking for their third straight league win and third successive clean sheet.

Moss, whose fine form saw him finish with 19 shut-outs last term, already has three to his name this season. But he has deflected the praise to his team-mates and, in particular, the arrival of loan star Eddie Howe as the defence does the job of unsung heroes.

Moss told the Daily Echo: "Goalkeepers thrive on clean sheets. We have had three out of 10 games so far. It isn't brilliant but it is alright but we know if we can build on those, we will be picking up points in the next few games.

"The defenders have been in good form lately and a lot of that is down to confidence and communication. But Eddie has come in from Portsmouth and has been different class for us. We have struggled to fill that gap left by Carl Fletcher but Eddie has done that - he has done really well.

"I played with him in the youth team here. He is an outstanding player and his relationship with me and the rest of the backline can only improve with the more games we play."

Moss admitted there had been a few minor hiccups in communication between himself and Howe in the last two league fixtures as they iron out the glitches to become accustomed to playing alongside one another again.

He said: "It takes a while to get that understanding back again. We have had a couple of collisions in games recently but these partnerships take time for us to know what everyone is going to do all the time.

"At Sheffield Wednesday we left it to each other and they nearly scored but we spoke about the incidents after the game. I told him 'if I don't shout, then clear it but if I do, leave it'. Whether that is the right decision is down to me. So I am blaming my defence for that one!

"Last week against Doncaster though, I called for it and didn't get it, so that one was down to me. It is one-all in those stakes but hopefully it won't happen again!"

On the subject of his own form, the Barton-on-Sea-based goalkeeper remains focused on consistency rather than spectacular saves.

He said: "I've been playing every week so in that respect I suppose I am in my best ever form. But consistency is the key for me. It is no good being brilliant one week and rubbish the next. I want the manager and my team-mates to know exactly what to expect from me every week.

"I feel confident going into every game. But there is always a worry in the back of your mind that a mistake is around the corner - that is part of goalkeeping.

"I know one will happen at some point this season - it could happen in the first minute at Blackpool - but then it is important that I forget it and get my concentration back. You can never wipe mistakes out of your game totally but the more important thing is how I react when it does happen."

Although Blackpool suffered a poor start to the season, they've now found their form and are unbeaten in two league games.