WhoScored Exclusive: Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie Speaks with WhoScored After Title Winning Campaign

AFC Bournemouth were crowned champions of the English Championship on the final day of the 2014/15 season courtesy of a 3-0 win over Charlton. Matt Ritchie, who bagged a brace at The Valley, ended the season in style having played a crucial role in The Cherries' outstanding promotion bid, registering 15 goals and 17 assists en route to the club's first ever season in the Premier League.

We spoke with the winger, named in both the WhoScored.com and PFA Championship Team of the Season, after a remarkable campaign on the south coast.

After an impressive season upon promotion in 2013/14, finishing just 6 points shy of a play-off place, did you expect to have such a sensational campaign this time around?

I think last season we obviously had a good first season in the Championship, marginally missing out on the play-offs and it gave everyone a lot of belief. This season I think the play-offs were probably the aim so to be champions has been unbelievable.

You've played under a number of managers in each of England's top four tiers of football but just what is it that you think has made Eddie Howe so successful?

I think it's his attention to detail. It's second to none. The way he works off the training pitch and then puts that into practice on it comes out in our performances. It's a great credit to him and the staff, and to all of the players for taking it on board.

Bournemouth were the Championship's top scorers having held the highest average share of possession and maintained the best pass accuracy in the division. How important do you feel it will be to stick to your attacking principles in the Premier League?

It will be massive. That's what we're good at and it's what has got us our rewards so if we go into the season how we have played this and improve on that then I'm sure we'll be able to hold our own.

Does the manager focus on such statistics and do you feel that the use of numbers in the game are increasing with time as well as more prominently as you rise up through the leagues?

I think statistics in football nowadays are massive. A lot of the managers work just off of them but the manager here doesn't do that. That said, stats are certainly taken note of and used when needed.

No player had a direct hand in more goals in the Championship than yourself this season, with a league leading 17 assists to accompany 15 goals. Having scored 9 goals last season but picked up only 2 assists in comparison just how pleased have you been with your progress this time around?

It's been great. To get 15 goals and 17 assists in the league has been unbelievable but that's because I'm playing in a top team with great players around me, and I'm just delighted to be part of it.

Your efforts were enough to earn a place in WhoScored.com's Team of the Season, along with teammate Simon Francis. How do you feel the two of you have complimented one another to forge such an impressive partnership on the right?

I think we just know each other's game. Franno (Francis) bombs on really well where I like to drift inside on my left foot. Gaps appear and we've managed to exploit those so it's been a successful season for the two of us and obviously being part of a successful team makes a massive difference.

You have as many as 8 statistical strengths according to WhoScored.com, including long shots, key passes and set pieces, but are there any aspects of your game that you hope to improve upon in particular?

There's a lot of areas to improve on. I think we're now where we want to be and have to try and sustain that and stay in the Premier League so every player needs to improve. I'm certainly one of them and I've got 4 or 5 things in particular that I really need to improve on.

Are you keeping those to yourself?

Yep (laughs)…

Having recently earned recognition with Scotland what are your aspirations for your international career? Do you think there's a real chance that Scotland can qualify for Euro 2016?

It's been great to get recognition from your country. It was an excellent experience and something I'm really looking forward to having more of and hopefully we can qualify for the Euros. I definitely think if we beat the Republic of Ireland in the group stage next month we'll be in a great position to kick on.

Are there any players, both past and present, whose playing style and ability you admire in particular, and which players are you most looking forward to facing in the Premier League?

I think there's a lot of Premier League players I admire. Most of them to be honest with you! There's some great quality in the league. Obviously it's the best league in the world and to be a part of it is a dream come true. I'm looking forward to playing all the big clubs, with the chance to test yourself against the best players and see how you come up against them.

Are the players that you tend to like the ones that play in your advanced position or are there other players that we'd maybe be surprised that you admire?

No, I'm not just a winger's fan, I'm a football fan so someone like John Terry who is a centre-half, whose mentally and desire to win comes out and speaks volumes in his performances is something that I really admire. I think Hazard at Chelsea has been unbelievable, Coutinho at Liverpool. I could go on all day. The players in the Premier League are outstanding so to be in and amongst it with them is, as I say, a dream come true.

How impressed were you with Matt Ritchie's exploits this season and can Bournemouth make their mark on the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below