AFC Bournemouth
Jack Stacey has been speaking after this afternoon’s goalless draw away to Hull City, giving his verdict of the performance.
The right-back played his first 90 minutes of the season and came through unscathed, having sat the first four Championship games out with a quad injury.
Stacey helped the side to a clean sheet at the MKM Stadium, as Scott Parker’s side remain unbeaten going into the international break.
However, the 25-year-old admitted the Cherries left East Yorkshire feeling hungry for more.
“We said in the dressing room after the game that we were slightly disappointed,” he began.
“We picked up a point but we ideally came here for three. To be at the top end of the Championship, these are the games that we need to be winning and that’s said with no disrespect to Hull.
“They pushed us but, for our expectations, we need to win these games.
“On a personal level, it was nice to play my first Championship game of the season.
“The last 30 minutes, thankfully the quad was fine, but the calves and hamstrings were cramping up a little bit, but it was nice to be back out there for sure.”
Stacey continued by discussing his frustration at missing the start of the season, having worked so hard throughout the summer in preparation for the campaign’s opener against West Brom.
“Playing is the motivation you have when you’re running in Marbella or doing double sessions, when the legs ache and you’ve got to go again.," he said.
“I was looking forward to that West Brom game, that first game of the season, that was getting me through the running!
“To do the hard work and miss the opening few games was frustrating for me but there’s a very long season to go.
“I missed the first four but there’s 41 more to go now, that’s all I’m looking at now.”
Despite his frustration, Stacey explained how he has taken plenty of pleasure in watching the youngsters blossom during the early stages of the season.
The likes of Jordan Zemura, Jaidon Anthony and Gavin Kilkenny have all had regular minutes during Parker’s reign so far.
“We’ve had young players that have done very well," he said. "That’s a real positive and something I’ve really enjoyed watching.
“They play with no fear and there’s players who have been in and around the squad for two or three years now, so it’s nice to see them stepping up and being given the opportunity to play first team football.
“I enjoy that I’m one of the more senior players. It’s up to me and some of the others to step up into more of a leadership role and take responsibility because on the pitch we do have that little bit more experience.
“It’s something that will only help their development and something I certainly want to do more this season. I want to be doing that on the pitch and on the training pitch.”
Stacey rounded off by highlighting the new faces within the squad and believes that they will only strengthen the side throughout such a long season.
“I think we’ve made some really good additions and it’s been a mixture of youth and experience,” he concluded.
“Gary Cahill has some great experience at the top level of the game and that’s really good for the squad.
“Every signing has brought something exciting to the team and I think if we look at it as it is now, once we’ve got everyone back and available, it’s going to be really healthy and create some good competition within the squad.”
