CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe paid tribute to everyone involved in the completion of the club’s new South Stand after it was passed fit for tomorrow’s Real Madrid game.
The new facility received the green light following this afternoon’s inspection meaning Cherries will be able to accommodate the extra 2,000-plus supporters that bought tickets for the historic showpiece.
Howe revealed he will give as many of his first-team squad a taste of the action against the Spanish giants as possible and said anticipation ahead of the exhibition match was building up nicely.
Speaking after Cherries’ latest warm-up match, today’s 2-1 defeat at Conference club Woking, Howe told the Daily Echo: “It is great news that they’ve been able to get the stand ready and credit to everyone involved.
“I know it took a lot of work under the pressure of time constraints, so well done to all the workers who have put so much effort in.
“We’re looking forward to it (the Real Madrid match), but from our perspective we’re focused on getting what we need out of the game.
“It is going to be a big fitness exercise, and I am not sure how much of the ball we will see, but that will be good as our shape and organisation will certainly be tested.”
A mixed Cherries side eventually lost the low-key friendly at Kingfield as the hosts grabbed their winner with five minutes to play.
Shwan Jalal featured for the second time in three days while Ian Harte, Richard Hughes and Miles Addison lined up in a back three with Wes Fogden at wing-back.
Stephen Purches joined Sam Matthews and Donal McDermott in midfield while Wes Thomas partnered Jayden Stockley, who finished last season on loan at Woking, up front.
Stockley bundled the ball home from close range to hand the visitors a sixth-minute lead after good work between Fogden and McDermott.
But a momentary lapse handed the Cards a quick equaliser when Jalal was sold short and Woking’s Mark Ricketts gave Gavin McAllum the simple task of finding the empty net.
Despite the lively start, the tempo was steady at best, though Cherries started to turn the screw with some good spells of possession before half time.
Howe fielded the same personnel after the interval but changed to a back four with Thomas supported by Stockley and McDermott in a three-pronged attack.
However, it was the hosts who imposed themselves on the game with Fogden called upon to volley away at the far post to deny McAllum a certain second on the hour.
And when Woking trialist Olly Taylor, who was formerly with Wycombe Wanderers, and Giuseppe Sole entered the action, the home side always looked the likelier to score.
Sole stung Jalal’s palms from distance with 11 minutes to play but Woking weren’t to be denied as the prolific Sole turned provider, lofting the ball beyond the Cherries backline for Taylor to smash a half-volley beyond the exposed Jalal.
Asked whether the first-team players involved at Kingfield would feature against Real Madrid, Howe said: “Possibly, it depends how they feel tomorrow. I would like to give everybody in the squad the experience of playing.
“The reality is we needed to get minutes into people so they had to play a big chunk of today’s game, but I would like to give everyone that chance if they are feeling okay.”
However, Howe confirmed that Ryan Allsop, Matt Ritchie and Marc Pugh will not be risked in tomorrow’s high-profile fixture due to short-term niggles.
On the Woking match, the Cherries boss added: “Fitness wise, I thought it was good and, touch wood, we haven’t got any injuries.
“From a footballing perspective I thought we did well in the first half and there were a lot of good aspects.
“I was disappointed by the second half, it was bitty, but I think whenever you make that many changes it will always disrupt the flow.”
Meanwhile, Real have confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will be in Carlo Ancelotti’s 23-man squad which also includes former Tottenham star Luka Modric, German international Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema.
Cherries: Jalal, Addison, Hughes (Wakefield, 72), Harte (Bayly, 72), Fogden, Cargill, Purches (Molesley, 57), Matthews, McDermott (Losasso, 72), Thomas (Chiedozie, 72), Stockley (Bassele, 72). Unused: Collins (g/k).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel