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Eddie Mitchell – You’re just out of touch!

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Image for Eddie Mitchell – You’re just out of touch!

As much as I have respect for Bournemouth and their achievements over the last year or so, it has become increasingly apparent that the success has gone to their head. At first it was the fans but now even the clubs chairman has got in on the act.

Eddie Mitchell, the Bournemouth chairman was interviewed by the Bournemouth Echo a few weeks ago and made some startling statements, most notably that the Cherries can become the top club on the south coast and branding us as ‘stagnant`.

From the Bournemouth echo interview: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/8295411.Mitchell__Cherries_could_be_top_club_on_south_coast/



`I think it shows just how far we have come. We have come from death`s door to the heart beating very fast. Southampton have remained stagnant.“

I`m not going to criticise the achievements of Bournemouth last year, but it seems that this chairman has had a little bit too much executive champagne, that and possessing a selective memory, because if I remember correctly Bournemouth have never been anything else BUT stagnant.

Being the 4th richest club in the country, the only club to not have sponsors, spending more than championship and premiership clubs, narrowly missing out on promotion and having one of the best set ups in the country, a 5 year plan and the leagues best squad as well. That is somehow stagnant.

Let`s look at Bournemouth then, for many years they were going no where and they still haven`t gone anywhere to be completely frank. Ok so they`ve gone back up to league 1, but to start talking about being the top team on the south coast? And then making comments about us like that?

Mr Mitchell needs to look in the mirror and realise that the only stagnant club on the south coast is Bournemouth.

He even forgets Brighton, now I know that they are not really considered a part of the rivalry (though nor are the Cherries), but with a new stadium on the way, top form last year and owners who seem to care, I would be more worried about their goings on than that of Bournemouth.

Eddie Mitchell also said – “I think they will have an uphill battle.”

It will be a tough season just like last year, but perhaps he should be concentrating on his own clubs upcoming season instead of making comments about us, considering his side will have their own uphill battle to stay in league 1.



He went on to say – “As much as people believe, it`s not all about money. It might be in the top flight and there is no getting away from it that money helps.“

It`s not all about the money that`s for sure, I mean look at QPR. But money has helped turn our side from a team of youth teamers to a squad that could hold its own in the championship. That`s a very lucrative concept in the lower leagues.

Bournemouth on the other hand? They have had to rely on the FANS to pay up £30,000 to sign a new left back, of course the millionaire property developer Mitchell wouldn`t spend that sort of money?

The difference in quality and the fact that we are promotion favourites, whilst they are down there in the relegation mires in the bookies eyes is perhaps a testament to what money can do.

He also stated – “But there are other contributory factors to success and they are hard work, determination and belief. We have got those in abundance. That`s why I think we will do really well this season, compared with some of the clubs that have got a lot more money to spend.“

Just because we have money we don`t have the determination and belief? It`s the sort of comment you would get from a club who know that they can`t compete financially, what if we also have determination and hard work? Which I would like to believe we do.

‘` Mitchell added: “I know we will be underdogs when we play Saints but it`s only the size of their stadium that dictates that. We will have nothing to lose and I would like to think we would come out on top.“

So we are the favourites due to the size of our stadium? I think the reason they are the underdogs is perhaps the fact that we have a squad of top players in this division, the stadium size doesn`t decide who the title contenders are, the squad does.



I guess he was right about one thing though, Portsmouth aren`t going anywhere anytime soon, though even they have a better set up than the one at Dean Court and will still be ahead of the Cherries for some time.



So Before Eddie Mitchell starts calling us a stagnant team, he should remember that we have done more in one year under the management of Nicola and Pardew than Bournemouth have in the last decade, we have a plan to win promotion to the Premier league and are building the foundations of a top football club.

So if anyone is stagnant on the south coast, it`s Bournemouth and their backward deluded chairman.

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