Gilingham Vs Bournemouth 20/8/05

After the game Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll said, "I didn't think we started well and they put us under pressure without doing anything we didn't think they'd do. We're a passing side so if your passing isn't good enough you're always going to struggle.

It wasn't good enough in the first half and in the second we threw caution to the wind, which you can't do for forty-five minutes in this league. It ends up like a five-a-side game with people here there and everywhere and we have more about us than to play like that.

Both central defenders were carrying knocks coming into the game as was James O'Connor so we talked about the possibility of ending with a makeshift defence.

If it happens it happens and we have to deal with it best we can. It's not an excuse, we expected a hard tough game and we got one, but I was disappointed with the way we played.

Fletch hurt his knee in the first half and it's a long slog this season so you can't take chances. We've got a game Wednesday and then Saturday and you have to do your best to protect the players as much as you can."