Cherries: Ritchie proving a more than able deputy at left-back (From Thisisdorset)
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Cherries: Ritchie proving a more than able deputy at left-back
7:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in Latest Sport
By Ian Wadley
BOSS Eddie Howe believes Matt Ritchie can keep providing a solution out of left field as he aims to solve Cherries’ crucial defensive conundrum.
Howe could be set to keep faith with emergency left-back Ritchie as Cherries attempt to fill the sizeable void created by the loss to injury of Charlie Daniels.
Howe reported that Daniels, who is bidding to avoid foot surgery, is being closely monitored as he attempts to step up his comeback.
Loan signings Dan Seaborne and Marcos Painter, as well as recent recruit Ritchie, have all stepped in since Daniels was sidelined in January.
With Seaborne required at centre-half and Painter not selected, Ritchie was again called upon against Coventry on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old, who has a sweet left foot, has predominantly been utilised as a winger throughout his professional career.
But the former Swindon Town star was a stand-out performer against the Sky Blues when tasked with playing as part of Cherries’ back four.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s League One clash at Leyton Orient, manager Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think he put in eight or nine crosses on Tuesday. Not only that, I thought his defending was very good and his link-up with Josh McQuoid was very good.
“I thought it was a really top performance. As everyone knows, it is not his preferred position and it is not the position we see him playing long term.
“But what you have to do is always think of the team and what is best for the team at the moment is for Matt to play there.
“There are different challenges facing him. He has got to be able to defend and Matt, so far, has come through all those tests with flying colours.
“In terms of going forward and using the ball, we don’t have any doubts about that. From that perspective, he suits the position perfectly in what we ask from our full-backs.”
The former Portsmouth trainee was a big-money signing from Swindon in January, having hit 10 goals for Cherries’ League One rivals this season.
Howe has been delighted by his application since being asked to play out of position.
He added: “That would be another factor behind us signing Matt Ritchie. Not only do you get a very good player, you get a player who has got a great attitude.
“He wants to learn and get better and whatever position you put him in, whether it be left midfield, right midfield, left-back or wherever he plays, he will want to do it to the best of his ability.
“There is a lot more to come from him because once we get him higher up the pitch, everyone will be able to see the other qualities he has got as well. In saying that, as a left-back on Tuesday, I thought he was very good.”
Comments(20)
susi.m
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8:36am Fri 1 Mar 13
TedMacsCherryPants
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9:22am Fri 1 Mar 13
The Renegade Master
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9:51am Fri 1 Mar 13
Afcbpete
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10:20am Fri 1 Mar 13
The Renegade Master wrote:Matt's attitude is absolutely 1st Class, as is his footballing talent. Totally agree about Painter, if he's not being used why keep him. Plus, a forward of the Vokes quality is desperately needed, I said when we signed Fraser and Ritchie, exactly who was going to get on the end of those crosses. Stains signed Lambert, we need a similar signing... UTCIAD
Send Painter back to Brighton and bring in a top centre forward like Sam Vokes instead. We need a big man up front for the little guys to feed off and to get on the end of crosses. Something that's just not happening at the moment.
smhinto
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10:36am Fri 1 Mar 13
The Renegade Master wrote:I believe that the problem with Painter is his lack of match fitness, apparently he has only played three competitve matches this season. So the fact that he may have mad a few howlers since he has been with is not surprising.
Send Painter back to Brighton and bring in a top centre forward like Sam Vokes instead. We need a big man up front for the little guys to feed off and to get on the end of crosses. Something that's just not happening at the moment.
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I have seen him on a number of occasions and when fit he is a more than capable defender.
.
Regards
Justin Otherfan
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11:44am Fri 1 Mar 13
AFCBade wrote:It is a shame to play him there, but unfortunately that is where we need him at the moment. We all want to see Daniels back in that position, and Ritchie in midfield but until CD is fit Ritchie appears to be the best man to stand in. He seems happy enough to do it if it helps the team. This attitude along with his ability will make him a real asset for us. I hope CD makes a return soon and then he can return to his more favoured position. Whilst talking about the defence, I thought EH wanted to use Joe Partington as a defender. He always seems to be on the bench when maybe we could use him at the back to allow MR to go on the wing.
Thought Ritchie was outstanding against Coventry. Seems sad to keep him back in defence but he did push forward a lot. Maybe easier easier to do that at home rather than away ?
cherriesfan
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11:49am Fri 1 Mar 13
afcb72
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1:07pm Fri 1 Mar 13
UTC
Tommo_71
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1:32pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Excellent attitude
Very impressed
cherrygood
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1:41pm Fri 1 Mar 13
essex_oracle
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2:46pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Baudry is playing really well at the moment, cultured on the ball, dominent in the air, he really has been the signing of the season for us.
Symes....less said the better, shipped off to Burton.
Good luck with your promotion bid, except on Saturday of course.
Afcbpete
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3:25pm Fri 1 Mar 13
essex_oracle wrote:I was always a fan of Baudry, so I'm delighted for him that he's doing well for you. Symes is a talented player, but his attitude let him down. Thanks for your kind comments, I hope you continue up the table, but AFTER you've played us...
Pity Daniels isn't playing, I would liked to have seen him return to Brisbane Road, we never got the chance to say goodbye.
Baudry is playing really well at the moment, cultured on the ball, dominent in the air, he really has been the signing of the season for us.
Symes....less said the better, shipped off to Burton.
Good luck with your promotion bid, except on Saturday of course.
dc addict
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3:30pm Fri 1 Mar 13
essex_oracle wrote:Thanks oracle. I couldn't understand why we let Baudry go and said so on here a couple of times.
Pity Daniels isn't playing, I would liked to have seen him return to Brisbane Road, we never got the chance to say goodbye. Baudry is playing really well at the moment, cultured on the ball, dominent in the air, he really has been the signing of the season for us. Symes....less said the better, shipped off to Burton. Good luck with your promotion bid, except on Saturday of course.
There are times when I start to think I actually know what I'm talking about but the feeling soon passes!
Now Eddie, listen to DC Addict. A big striker, a thug in midfield and Zubar back in defence please.
Kinsonite
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3:59pm Fri 1 Mar 13
big_afcb_fan
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5:20pm Fri 1 Mar 13
utciad
Frankiesbackfromhollywood
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6:09pm Fri 1 Mar 13
West moors 1
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9:04pm Fri 1 Mar 13
jakeysredd
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10:37pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Kinsonite wrote:Yes watched Kitson and then Coventry's Clarke just run about in a twenty metre circle bothering our centre halves, our strikers not target men types run all over the place like headless chickens burning up all their energy, oh for another younger version of Fletch,
I agree totally with the comments on here regarding a striker that can receive, hold up play and get on the end of those crosses. What's the point of having 3 excellent wingers in the squad if you have know one on the end of their delivery (time & time again). Come on EH, listen up!
Frankiesbackfromhollywood
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8:08am Sat 2 Mar 13
AFCBade says...
8:07am Fri 1 Mar 13