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First Team

Mepham ready for Sky Blues test

Written by Neil Perrett

AFC Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham insisted the Cherries’ recent blip should take nothing away from their record-breaking start to the season.

Scott Parker’s team have taken four points from their past four games having remained unbeaten during their first 15 matches in the Championship.

The Cherries are currently second, eight points ahead of third-placed West Brom, who host Nottingham Forest on Friday, and one behind leaders Fulham, who visit Preston on Saturday.

Mepham was speaking to the media ahead of the Cherries hosting fifth-placed Coventry City at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Asked whether the recent run had affected the mood in the camp, he replied: “A little bit, of course.

"We all want to be winning and, when you’re winning every week, it’s happy days and there’s not a problem in the world.

“Naturally, when you have a bit of a blip, it can frustrate you a little and it can get everyone over-thinking.

“But at the same time, it’s a relentless league. Games come thick and fast and you haven’t really got time to dwell on the past.

“We’ve got an opportunity to put things right against Coventry and, hopefully, get back to winning ways.

“There’s no forgetting how amazing we’ve been this season. To have an eight-point gap to third at this stage is credit to us and how well we’ve started.

“I don’t think this blip should in any way override the fact that we’ve had an amazing start and we will continue to grow as a team and produce some good results.

“Coventry are playing some really good football and we know we’ll be in for a real test. There are no easy games in the Championship but when you are playing the teams around you, it puts a little more emphasis on trying to beat them.”