HARRY Arter has hailed the help of boss Eddie Howe as the midfield maestro attempts to halt his calamitous card count in Cherries colours.

Arter, 23, picked up no fewer than 27 yellows and one red in his first three seasons at Dean Court and was forced to sit through three suspensions last season.

But his appearances in referees’ notebooks gradually became less frequent once Howe had made his return from Burnley.

And despite being booked in both of Cherries’ first two Championship matches, Arter avoided having his name taken in the spiky clash with Wigan after resisting the urge to react to James McClean’s late tackle.

The tenacious midfielder, who contributed eight goals towards Cherries’ successful promotion quest, feels his disciplinary renaissance is down to some gentle guidance from the dugout.

Arter told the Daily Echo: “It has been well documented that I have had a few bookings in my career but, when the gaffer came back, he made it clear he wanted me on the pitch rather than being suspended in the stands.

“He (Howe) will punish me if I get booked for something silly like dissent but he wants me to play on the front foot and wants to make sure I keep playing my own game.

“You learn from your own experiences and every player has an area of their game they want to improve on – the bookings are mine and it is something I am steadily doing.

"I have definitely played my best football under the gaffer. I showed a few glimpses before he left but, after that, it was a little bit rocky. I was inconsistent and frustrated a few people.

“One week I was good, the next not so good and that coincided with picking up silly bookings. I had a couple of inconsistent years but when he came back, he really pushed me.

“That has helped me mature off the pitch and I think that has shown in my game. People mature at different ages and that progression came for me last season. The manager played a big part in that and, hopefully, I can keep getting better this season.”

Meanwhile, Arter insisted he wanted no credit for ignoring McClean’s unwanted attentions.

“There was an exchange of words and he took it upon himself to go one further and do something off the ball,” added Arter. “He got booked for it, which was probably fair.

“I don’t deserve any praise for getting on with my game because that is what a professional does and that is what I should have been doing a year or so ago. I don’t expect a pat on the back for not retaliating. It is my job.

“It is personal to me and something I am dealing with myself but, hopefully, the fans recognise that it used to be hard for me and can see the work I have done.”