Cherries: Cooper closing in on return (From Thisisdorset)
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Cherries: Cooper closing in on return
7:00am Monday 6th February 2012 in Sport
Cherries star Shaun Cooper says he is close to winning his fitness battle but admits his next assignment could prove more challenging – reclaiming his place.
Cooper has endured more than his fair share of misfortune with injury this season after suffering torn calf muscles in both legs in separate incidents.
The 28-year-old started 16 of the first 17 games before he was ruled out for two months after sustaining a minor tear to the muscle in his left leg in training.
And after coming back to star in Cherries’ 1-0 win at Huddersfield, a grade one tear in his right leg forced him off during the early stages of the defeat by Sheffield United.
Cooper, who has been sidelined for seven weeks, is nearing the end of his rehabilitation programme and is hoping to rejoin Lee Bradbury’s squad in training later this month.
However, despite his versatility, Cooper knows he will need to pull out all the stops to win back his place, with Cherries having lost only once in his seven-game absence.
Cooper, whose 220 appearances for Cherries have come both in defence and midfield, told the Daily Echo: “Our squad now is unbelievable. Every player could play, do a very good job and justify their position.
“I prefer playing in midfield but would play wherever I was asked by the manager. I wouldn’t say I was either a defender or a midfielder, I would say I was both.
“We have got excellent players in both positions so it is going to be a challenge for me, as it is for every player. But it is a challenge I am not going to shirk.
“Everyone is capable of being in the starting line-up and it comes down to the manager’s preference. He will be looking at who is doing well in training and in games.”
Cooper, a key figure in last season’s play-off near miss, added: “It has been an extremely frustrating time for me and I have had some bad luck.
“But I am very close now and feel good.
“When I have been fit this season, I have felt the fittest I have been for a long time so, hopefully, I can get back to those levels.
“I have been working hard in the gym and have pushed myself. I have been doing some running and ball work on the pitch. I have been changing direction and putting the muscle through different tests.
“I have felt really good and there has been no adverse reaction.
“I have been able to go again the next day and would hope to be back in training very soon.”
Comments(10)
Square Old Codger
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9:34am Mon 6 Feb 12
The Renegade Master
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9:40am Mon 6 Feb 12
Looking forward to tomorrow night and seeing Tubbsy bang in a couple of goals on his return!
UTCIAD!
Cherryfan
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1:40pm Mon 6 Feb 12
mark.s
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2:43pm Mon 6 Feb 12
I struggle to see a place for Coops in the starting lineup. Good to have on the bench though, someone with experiance to bring on with a calm head to help see out games. That's his place in the squad for me.
TC Cherry Boi
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2:58pm Mon 6 Feb 12
jontee
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3:43pm Mon 6 Feb 12
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Someone recently said midfielders should be capable of winning the ball and using it. In an ideal world, yes, but they are few and far between and therefore cost a lot of money, like the examples that poster quoted. I am old enough to remember wing halves and inside forwards, who were yesteryear's equivalent of ball winners and playmakers respectively. Then most (but not all) could play in both positions.
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As time has gone on, players have become more specialist with less ability to fill different roles. Similarly, it is difficult to find players with a left foot now. When I was at school we were encouraged to develop our wrong foot even at that level. Very few one footed players reached the top level then. Now just look at some of the premiership prima donnas with one foot for standing on.
lovegodmikey
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8:55pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Cherry oh cherry oh baby don't you know I'm in love with you
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10:24pm Mon 6 Feb 12
TC Cherry Boi wrote:would be a great coop if he would return for us!
I'm a big cooper fan and I do think in some respects we have missed him doing the holding role in midfield! I do however think purchase has done a grand job since been given that role, we do need to purchase a defensive midfielder if we're to make it in the championship tho ( no pun intended )
rednblack37
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11:50pm Mon 6 Feb 12
TC Cherry Boi wrote:Or even Purches! Glad I don't have a name like that, would drive me nuts that hardly anyone says or spells it correctly! Especially after all these years of being in a Matchday programme, name in the paper and online match reports etc,etc. Grump over!! With Cooper, I think he has a role to play, I think he's technically only second to Pugh as the best in the squad, can pass and kick with both feet, a poor man's Michael Carrick style player. He may not be suited to every match now we have a bigger squad to choose from, but at least his days in defence should be over and he can play in midfield and use his passing ability properly.
I'm a big cooper fan and I do think in some respects we have missed him doing the holding role in midfield! I do however think purchase has done a grand job since been given that role, we do need to purchase a defensive midfielder if we're to make it in the championship tho ( no pun intended )
Tommo. says...
9:28am Mon 6 Feb 12