AFC Bournemouth
Tommy Elphick is loving life back in Bournemouth as he nears the end of a first season coaching the next generation at Vitality Stadium.
Now in a role as Assistant Manager of the development squad, he was on the touchline as they hosted Fulham in a friendly earlier this week, the Cottagers narrowly coming out as winners on the day.
Following the game, afcb.co.uk caught up with the former centre-back, who discussed the side’s progress over the course of the season, the lessons that can be learnt from playing alongside professionals and how much he’s enjoying being in and around the club once again.
Elphick began by giving his assessment of the fixture with Fulham and what the development squad got out of it: “The second half in particular was very encouraging,” he said.
“There’s been a gradual improvement along the way. We played Fulham earlier on in the season and you can see how much these boys have come on in the last year.
“It wasn’t a typical academy game and it was two teams trying to win, which was really great to see.”
Elphick went on to discuss the impact that the senior players have had on the squad, with Emiliano Marcondes, Gavin Kilkenny and James Hill all starting for the development side at Canford on Tuesday afternoon.
He was quick to praise their attitudes and outlook over recent weeks, which have seen the trio get good game time in a number of friendlies.
“We've had three pros down with us for the last few games in Emi, Gav and James. They’ve been an absolute credit to themselves and the football club with the attitude they’ve brought and the buy-in that they’ve had with the group.
“What they’ve brought out of everyone around them has been absolutely first class. They’re on a different pathway to our boys, but they’ve definitely driven the standard of our group up.
“You not only see it in training, but before the game, at half time, afterwards as well, the things that they’re saying to the young lads.
“To have those role models so close is a real privilege for us as staff as well as the players. The lessons they're learning will take them a long way and stand them in good stead going forward.”
With the start of the season having seen the development squad compete in the Premier League Cup and Hampshire Senior Cup, the latter end of the campaign has been somewhat different as competitive fixtures died down.
Elphick emphasised the importance of regular friendlies as a result and what the season run in entails for the team.
“We’ve been conscious of trying to keep the lads motivated and giving them things to work on individually,” he continued.
“We’ve been trying to keep the focus up, especially where a lot of our lads are out on loan and coming back for these games. It’s important to reset them and bring them back to what we stand for.
“There’s so much for them to play for at this stage of the season, no matter what the game or occasion. They’re fighting for contracts and to be in and around the club next season.”
The former Cherries captain concluded by assessing his first season in a coaching role, admitting how much he’s enjoying being back at the club where he achieved so much.
“I’ve been really lucky to see things as closely as I have.
“At the first team level, seeing how closely the manager and his staff work, has been great. Working alongside Shaun Cooper has also been magnificent and has thrown me back to what makes this club so good and what put it on the map.
“The hard work, the good people and the development has always been at the heart of this football club and getting the most out of everybody.
“I was definitely ready to stop playing and on reflection, right here right now, I was happy I made that choice and am doing what I’m doing.”
