Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / BOURNEMOUTH
Graphics Version | Change to International Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Paralympics | Sport Relief | Other sport... | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  Euro 2008 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African | Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Score on BBCi | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Monday, 5 September 2005, 06:06 GMT 07:06 UK

Stewart salutes miserly Cherries

By Mark Mitchener

"The boys have played magnificently"
Gareth Stewart

Gareth Stewart Bournemouth keeper Gareth Stewart has praised his team-mates after conceding just one goal in their last four games.

"I've not had a lot to do, which is a testament to how well the defence are playing," Stewart, 25, told BBC Sport.

"The boys have played magnificently, especially with the way the side's been thrown together because of injuries.

"Everyone has to take credit, both the management and the players, but if we can pick up one or two wins, I think we can go on a good run."

Stewart, who moved to Dean Court from Blackburn in 1999, is currently enjoying his best run in the side since 2002.

Since then, his opportunities have been limited by injury - and the form and fitness of Neil Moss.

Keeper Moss facing two months out

But with Moss now facing two months on the sidelines, Preston-born Stewart is determined to take his chance.

He has conceded just one goal in six-and-a-half hours of football since replacing Moss - even with six senior defenders also injured - and saved a penalty in the Carling Cup shoot-out at Torquay.

"Coming back in wasn't difficult, as it's what you want to do, although it's never going to be easy following Neil, who's been magnificent," he said.

"He's set a standard, and I like to think I can keep that standard up.

"But it'll be good when Neil's back as we can bounce off each other."

In front of Stewart, veteran right-back Neil Young has played a vital role in central defence as Sean O'Driscoll's side were held to goalless draws by Walsall and Tranmere.

Shaun Cooper Meanwhile, youngsters Josh Gowling, James O'Connor, Shaun Cooper and Callum Hart have belied their relative inexperience of first-team action before this season.

"Before the Torquay game, we just said to each other that we'd have to keep it tight at the back, and I think it's spread through the team," Stewart explained.

"We just need a lucky break to get that goal - we got two at Bradford, we just need one or two in other games now.

"The players are as disappointed as anyone else that we haven't won from a good performance like we had against Tranmere.

"We've played four or five games, up and down the country, in 12 or 13 days against some strong teams - but the mood's good because we've not been losing.

"It's disappointing that we're not winning, although there's a fine line between winning and losing for any team.

"But if we can keep clean sheets and not lose games, and get some players back, it'll turn for us."



E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Your say - 606 League One chat
BBC Where I Live - Dorset
Bournemouth weather
BBC Sport League One
AFC Bournemouth
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Paralympics | Sport Relief | Other sport... | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  Euro 2008 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African | Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Score on BBCi | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©