The Bournemouth manager has insisted the team have to always come before any personal glory after he hauled off Arnaut Danjuma before he could score his first career hat-trick against Coventry City.
Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate said he had to take off Danjuma on Sunday for the sake of the team.
He said he never doubted the Nigerian-Dutch forward, but needed to let him rest ahead of important games.
“I thought we played really well. We played with a high intensity from the start and were difficult to play against,” he said.
“That is what I ask for; start quick and put the opposition on the back foot.
“Arnaut wanted to stay on to try and get his hat-trick, but it’s the team that comes first.
“He will have more opportunities in his career to score hat-tricks.
“It is all about attitude, application and mentality because the lad’s ability has never been in doubt.
“The most important thing is him staying fit and to be honest with you, if for the last five minutes he’d have done something – a tackle or whatever – I wouldn’t have forgiven myself.
“It’s an important week coming up. The game was won so I had to bring him off. It’s unlucky, but it’s the best thing for the team, the squad and the football club.”
“A 4-1 victory is a good result because Coventry are a decent team and should be higher in the table. We can get better, but onto the next one,” Woodgate added.
Danjuma has so far scored 13 goals in the English Championship this season for AFC Bournemouth.
