AFC Bournemouth
Interim development squad coach Bruce Suraci felt his team’s friendly with Luton Town on Tuesday night was another valuable experience for the squad.
Hosted by a young Hatters side at Kenilworth Road, the Cherries went down to a 3-1 scoreline on the night.
A healthy contingent of Luton supporters were in attendance under the lights in Bedfordshire, providing an added dimension to the Cherries’ challenge.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk after the game, Suraci said: “For me, in development football that’s the only experience.
“You win games and you lose games and, ultimately, they’re not first-team players, we’re here to develop, learn and grow.
“The loss is what it is but you’re in front of fans, you’re at a stadium under the lights with a couple of first-team players playing.
“We had a couple of under-18s playing up and a couple of trialists in as well, so the challenge is high and it’s a good night for them and their long-term development win, lose or draw.”
Those first-teamers in action for the development squad on Tuesday night were centre-back James Hill and Danish midfielder Emiliano Marcondes.
Both featured for the full 90 minutes at Kenilworth Road and provided further valuable experience for the team.
“Emi and Hilly have travelled up here to play with us and they’ve been model professionals,” Suraci said on the duo.
“They were really good in the dressing room, had input into team talks, had input with the lads and worked hard out on the grass.
“We couldn’t ask for any more from them and it’s a great example to our young lads that whatever the situation is, you work as hard as you can.
“You have to be professional and reliable – those lads were that in abundance.”
A certain positive from the friendly clash was the return of 20-year-old Euan Pollock from injury.
Having been out for several months with a back issue, the frontman featured for just over an hour against the Hatters.
Speaking on Pollock’s return, Suraci was delighted for the striker who has been with the Cherries since the age of nine.
He said: “We as staff could not speak more highly of Euan. He’s had a tough time and been out for a long time.
“He’s worked really hard with his rehab and the medical team have been excellent – Matt Best, Elliot Whiteside and the whole team.
“He’s a strong player for the development squad and come through from a young age. I’ve known him for a long time and his attitude has been spot on.
“His attitude and his professionalism are why he’s back and, hopefully, he’ll be back to full minutes in no time. It was great to have him back out on the grass.”
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