AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth defender Ryan Fredericks is keen to make up for lost time following his delayed start to life at Vitality Stadium.
Fredericks, the club’s first summer signing, came on as a second-half substitute to make his Cherries debut during Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Wolves.
The 29-year-old, who replaced Jordan Zemura in the 69th minute, had been sidelined since suffering a calf injury during the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal.
Fredericks featured in a practice match against Sheffield Wednesday in July, but only returned to full training at the end of last week.
The Londoner, who joined the Cherries having spent four years playing in the top flight with West Ham, made his 64th Premier League appearance against Wolves.
He told afcb.co.uk: “It’s been a very frustrating start to life for me here but it was good to make my debut. I feel good now so all I can do is look forward.
“I had only trained with the team for three or four days so it was a tough one for the legs. But I enjoyed coming on and now want to get fully fit and show everyone what I can do.”
Fredericks’ last taste of competitive action came at the end of 2021/22 when he started for West Ham in the Premier League against Arsenal having helped the Hammers reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Selected by interim head coach Gary O’Neil, Fredericks used all his experience and played his part as the Cherries withstood a late flurry of pressure from Wolves to keep a clean sheet and end a run of three successive league defeats.
“There were a lot of positives to take from the game,” said Fredericks. “We defended well and are only going to get better from here.
“I think that’s going to be the blueprint for our performances going forward. We need to be solid, not give up too many chances and then look to hit teams on the counter attack and take our chances. We also showed we’re good on the ball.
“If you look at the teams we’ve played, we probably would have taken four points. We would have liked six or nine but we’ve played three of the best teams in Europe at the moment.
“Liverpool and Manchester City fight for the title every year and Arsenal look like the form team in the Premier League so it’s going to be tough for any team to beat them.
“It showed again on Wednesday when Manchester City won 6-0. We can only look at ourselves and, if we can beat the teams in and around us, like we did against Villa, then we’ll be fine.”
Fredericks will again be hoping to feature when the Cherries visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the team they beat to secure a return to the Premier League in May.
He added: “These are the games you get promoted for. It’s going to be rocking there but we’re more than up for it. We’re all fit and flying and raring to go.
“They did a lot of business in the market. They took a battering at City so will be coming out flying and trying to beat us. We’re just as equipped as they are to do well in this league.
“Their fans get behind them so it’s our job to try quieten the crowd and quieten the good players they have.”
