AFC Bournemouth
Once an academy player at Spurs, Tarik Gidaree cannot wait to face Arsenal in this evening’s Premier League Cup game in north London.
The Cherries will be aiming to secure a valuable three points in the Group A contest and consequently leapfrog the Gunners into second place, prime position for qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
Gidaree, a name which has become more familiar to Bournemouth supporters in recent weeks, is relishing the challenge and can’t wait to test himself against some of the best youngsters in the country.
“It’s a very big game to be involved in” he told afcb.co.uk.
“This season’s Premier League Cup is coming toward the back end of the group stage, so it’s pivotal that we win these games.
“These matches are very vital for us, especially as we don’t get games each week.
“A big competition like the Premier League Cup gives us the incentive to beat other academies from across the country like Arsenal. It’s a great game to be involved in.”
Gidaree has good memories of the home fixture against the Gunners, which saw Christian Saydee net a last-minute equaliser at Vitality Stadium to earn the Cherries a valuable point.
The 18-year-old admitted he’ll be channelling that feeling ahead of the match at Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park this evening.
“The hard work that we put in for 95 minutes to go and get the equaliser in the last couple of minutes are the reasons why we play football.
“It’s a very big incentive for us to go and win away from home as it’ll show we can be just as good as them.
“Because we’re category three, we want to compete with the higher category one teams, so being up against that challenge and hopefully getting that win is a very big incentive for us.
“Arsenal aren’t just a good academy, they’re a massive club in England.
“Of course, they’re going to have some of the best players in the country and lining up against some of them is a great opportunity and good for our personal development.
“We get to see where we’re at compared to some of the bigger clubs in England.”
Gidaree might be enjoying his maiden season with Shaun Cooper’s development squad, his first goal coming in the 7-0 Hampshire Senior Cup win against Cowes Sports, but he’s also made an impact with Scott Parker.
Regular training with the first team and an appearance in the matchday squad against Yeovil Town has seen the versatile youngster gain valuable experience in recent weeks.
“It’s a very exciting time,” he continued.
“I was grateful to get the opportunity to be with the first team and being on the bench for the FA Cup definitely opened my eyes up to what the first team do and how they have to prepare for games.
“Being on the bench for such an exhilarating game, with the crowd the way they were, was brilliant. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“As a young player myself, gaining that bit of experience here and there will only stand me in good stead for the future.”
Gidaree concluded by discussing the lessons he’s learning from training each day with Parker’s side, from the fine margins and the high standards set by the players.
“It’s the little details that they look into to try and get the edge over their opponents,” he explained.
“When you’re at a certain level in football, it is those one or two percents that make a difference. Just the little things that they do, be it their dietary requirements or knowing how a certain player plays going into a game, it allows them to get the edge.
“Being around top players in a winning side that have to be relentless, because every other team in the league is chasing them, is good.
“We can see the standards that first team players hold themselves accountable to which makes us have to step up to their level otherwise we’re going to get found out in training and have less opportunities in the future.”
