AFC Bournemouth
While football is a sport that seldom offers up certainties, defender Tarik Gidaree is sure of a “brilliant experience” for himself and the development squad tomorrow night.
Queens Park Rangers’ under-23s are in town for the development squad’s penultimate game of the Premier League Cup group stage.
Under the lights at Vitality Stadium for a 7pm kick-off, Gidaree and his team will have the backing of Cherries supporters for the vital cup tie.
The right-back knows what the team is in store for, explaining to afcb.co.uk: “Last season was great to have an experience of playing in front of the supporters because I know what it feels like.
“I know that having that crowd in and playing on a fantastic pitch, feeling like a first-team player in terms of your preparation, and playing at Vitality Stadium, it’s a brilliant experience.
“When you’re on the pitch though, all of that has to be put to one side because we’re there to win.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing there or anywhere else, it’s 11vs11 and we have to make sure we win the game.
“Having the crowd there only gives us extra motivation to do that. When times get tough, that crowd will give us an extra kick to get over the line.”
Playing in front of AFC Bournemouth supporters is one experience which will be quickly following another for the youngster.
Last time out in the cup competition, Gidaree came off the bench to mark his first competitive minutes since suffering a grade one tear in his groin in pre-season.
With a keenness to make up for lost time, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City academy man also doesn’t feel as though recent months have been wasted.
“It’s been a long process and at the end of it, which is where I’m at now, you look back and it feels short,” he said.
“When you’re in the thick of it and you’re watching teammates playing games it’s tough, but moments like when you get your first game back make it worthwhile.
“It’s never easy at any time in your career but it’s an experience that I’ve had now, touch wood I don’t have any more long-term injuries but it’s part of the game.
“If I do have to deal with them in the future, I’ll be able to deal with them more professionally.
“I’ve learnt so much from this experience that I’ll also probably be able to return faster from an injury in the future, too.”
His return is timely, with the home fixture against QPR on Monday night quickly followed by the return tie in January.
“They’re vital games,” he said. “We played QPR in pre-season and there were first-team players playing, but we have a rough gauge of how good they are and their playing style.
“That information will come in handy without a doubt because they’re must-win games – we want to get out of the group.
“Every matchday in the Premier League Cup is one we need to win because there are three points on offer.
“That’s vital for our progression as young players and, hopefully, when we do step up into a first team, that feeling of needing to win three points now will only help us in the future.”
Not only does the Premier League Cup offer the development squad a competitive competition, but a chance to test themselves against the county’s best.
Gidaree added: “The Premier League Cup gives us the matchdays that we really look forward to and we want to be tested in.
“When you win and things are going your way, I think that’s when you learn the least.
“When you’re challenged and you find different ways to win a game or your personal battle on the field, that’s when you really learn the most and you develop the most.”
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