Cherries: Francis vows to use his experience during run-in

7:00am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in Latest Sport Photograph of the Author By Neil Perrett

SIMON Francis is convinced Cherries could cut the mustard in the Championship and is vowing to draw on all his experience to help them get there.

The dependable right-back has played a key role in Cherries’ promotion push, featuring in all but one of the club’s 32 games under boss Eddie Howe.

At 28, Francis was the oldest player in the Cherries starting line-up at Oldham seven days ago, with the average age of Howe’s team just 24.

“Luckily, I don’t feel old!” laughed Francis. “I fit in pretty well with the lads and, if I am the oldest on the pitch, then so be it.

"There are a lot of young lads in our squad and I like to add my experience to the team. I have been in this position before and have played in the Championship so know what it takes to get there.

“Without doubt, we have got a squad now that could compete in the Championship. We have got a lot of hungry young lads who want to be successful and who haven’t before played in the Championship. But we have also got players who have and have a good mix.

“I have been in and out of the Championship throughout my career and played there with Sheffield United, Bradford and Southend. I think it is as strong as it has ever been but I don’t think we would look out of place if we were to go up.”

Francis, who helped Southend reach the second flight in 2006, believes automatic promotion is still well within Cherries’ grasp.

And with just nine points separating the top 10, he knows the race is wide open.

“The intensity has been raised and the division is the tightest it has been for as long as I can remember,” said Francis, speaking ahead of today’s clash with Bury. “There are still 10 teams that could make the play-offs and the top-two places are up for grabs. We want to try to get a good goal difference because it might come down to that at the end of the season, even for automatic.

“You can’t take any team for granted and we won’t be taking Bury lightly because it is going to be one of, if not the, toughest games of the season. We are right back in it after winning two games on the trot and our aim is to remain unbeaten and see where it takes us.”

Comments(14)

afcbtintin says...
7:11am Sat 23 Mar 13

Does anyone remember the Charlton fans who came on here when we bought Francis telling us he was a load of rubbish ?

Sour grapes perhaps.....

Looking forward to a great afternoon at DC.

UTCIAD

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cherrychris75 says...
7:34am Sat 23 Mar 13

my player of the year. Solid, consistent and probably best crosser of the ball at the club. Positive Francis and Ritchie will be an even better right sided pairing than young and Bailey.

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cherrychris75 says...
7:34am Sat 23 Mar 13

my player of the year. Solid, consistent and probably best crosser of the ball at the club. Positive Francis and Ritchie will be an even better right sided pairing than young and Bailey.

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lofty1971 says...
8:41am Sat 23 Mar 13

Really hoping Ritchie plays on the right wing today. With Francis and Ritchie, Daniels and Pugh we have an awesome combo.

Agree that Francis has been one of our best players this season.

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
8:49am Sat 23 Mar 13

lofty1971 wrote:
Really hoping Ritchie plays on the right wing today. With Francis and Ritchie, Daniels and Pugh we have an awesome combo. Agree that Francis has been one of our best players this season.
Think everone can't wait to see those combinations on the wings!
Good luck boys, COYR!!!

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Wilkie says...
9:34am Sat 23 Mar 13

Cherrychris, I assume you are joking with the 'best crosser of the ball at the club' comment. Unfortunately, his crossing has frequently been below par and often he passes the ball too square losing us forward momentum. Improve on these two aspect and he may prove to be a reliable player in the next division (if we get there).

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bigfatsteve says...
9:54am Sat 23 Mar 13

The sign of a quality footballer is someone who rarely gives the ball away, Simon Francis is definitely in this category. If he can build up a good understanding with Matt Ritchie I'm sure that right hand side of the pitch will be impregnable. Saturdays ah! Saturdays, steak and ale pies and the £2 pint of Fosters. Reminds me I must print off some more vouchers. Come on the Cherries about time we really hammered someone, yet I'll be happy with a 1 -0 win. The last 10minutes though is always excruciating to watch. Please could we have a 3-0 win, or am I just bing greedy!

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smhinto says...
9:56am Sat 23 Mar 13

Just thought I would repost this from last week as I feel it is relevant for todays game.
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I have to agree with Elphick on COWS regarding Saturdays opponents Bury.
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They are fighting for their lives and on paper it looks like three points, but we have to keep it tight and do a disciplined, professional job on them and win ugly if we have to.
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They are bouyed by a win on Tuesday. They have players who will be playing for contracts and will have young players out to prove themselves to the manager and maybe they are already resigned to going down so they will play without fear.
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We have to be on our guard, look sharp and for Christ's sake we must not let them get their noses in front, if they do we will face an uphill battle. .
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Bearing in mind the pressure in on us and not them as they are playing away from home and have nothing to lose.
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I always remember Stoke City a few years ago who needed a point to secure promotion to the Champiomnship and lost at home to Hartlepool who were already relagated. i.e Pools played without fear.
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Here's to a postive result today.
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P.S. - This post may be accurate to sensible posters except for:
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LYMICHERRY & BOURNEMRED26
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One of them stupidly responded to the above post with:
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Blah' 'Blah' 'Blah' 'Blah'
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as if what I said was absolute 'tosh'.
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The other individual described what I have said above as 'Drivel'.
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The mind just boggles!!!.
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Kindest Regards

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AFCBade says...
11:02am Sat 23 Mar 13

Hilarious !!! Good luck today. Think our run in is excellent but no easy games, everyone will scrap for results

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ifordcherry says...
12:16pm Sat 23 Mar 13

smhinto......I will second that comment....All you ever have to say is utter drivel....Oh yes and absolute tosh !!..kindest regards !!

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RED LETTER DAY says...
12:53pm Sat 23 Mar 13

. What a pointless statement from S Francis. . . . Was"nt he doing his best in the 5 games we lost then ???

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smhinto says...
3:37pm Sat 23 Mar 13

ifordcherry wrote:
smhinto......I will second that comment....All you ever have to say is utter drivel....Oh yes and absolute tosh !!..kindest regards !!
I see Bury have just equalised. My be it is not so much 'tosh' and Drivel after all.
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Now we wil be chasing the game.
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Regards

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Justin Otherfan says...
5:59pm Sat 23 Mar 13

smhinto wrote:
ifordcherry wrote:
smhinto......I will second that comment....All you ever have to say is utter drivel....Oh yes and absolute tosh !!..kindest regards !!
I see Bury have just equalised. My be it is not so much 'tosh' and Drivel after all.
.
Now we wil be chasing the game.
.
Regards
It is! 4 - 1

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fozzie bear says...
9:12pm Sun 24 Mar 13

Have to agree with Wilkie-his early season pinpoint crossing has eluded him of late. And,if we make the promised land of the Championship I feel he will be 'found out' by better strikers. However, I will be happy if he proves me wrong! utc.

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