Bournemouth play host to Nottingham Forest this weekend with Sean O'Driscoll's men hoping to bounce back from last weekend's shock FA Cup defeat at the hands of non league Tamworth. Despite that loss, it's been a satisfactory start to the league campaign for Bournemouth and when you consider the horrendous injury list that O'Driscoll has had to put up with, the Cherries' boss had done well to steer the south coast outfit to a position in the top half of the table. One of the key players missing so far this term is back injury victim Karl Broadhurst and he spoke to givemefootball's Mark Shail.
Q:THE PLAYERS MUST HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH LAST WEEKEND'S CUP DEFEAT?
A:Yes, it was a big blow for us because everyone knows the financial troubles at the club so we were hoping for a good cup run to earn the club some much-needed cash. But it's not to be this season and now we have to focus on our league position.
Q:HAVE THE OFF-FIELD PROBLEMS AFFECTED THE PERFORMANCES IN ANY WAY THIS TERM?
A:Not really because it's something out of our hands – all we can do is concentrate on the playing side of things. I've been here for 12 years now and as long as I can remember we've always had financial troubles of one sort or another. If anything, it has more chance of affecting the older players because they've got families to support, so it's not ideal having this cloud constantly hanging over the club.
Q:DESPITE THE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, BOURNEMOUTH HAVE MADE A PRETTY SOLID START IN THE LEAGUE THIS SEASON?
A:Yes, we've got a very young squad and so far the youngsters are doing everything that has been asked of them. With around half the first team squad out injured these young players have been thrown in at the deep end but so far they've done very well.
Q:WHAT'S THE UPDATE ON YOUR BACK INJURY?
A:I'm gradually making progress but the process has been slow. I had a hernia operation at the end of the last season and the specialist thought that having the surgery would cure my back problem - but unfortunately it wasn't the case. I've been told it's a nerve-based problem so I've had to patient, but hopefully I'll be back training quite soon. I've just started running again and at the weekend I'm planning to do my first twisting and turning.
Q:THAT MUST BE VERY FRUSTRATING?
A:It is because last season I had one of most consistent years and was actually made club captain – which was something I was very proud of. I think I started around 45 games and was playing some of the best football of my Bournemouth career.
Q:DO YOU THINK THE PLAY-OFFS ARE A POSSIBILITY THIS SEASON?
A:I think so, and when we get everyone back fit I don't see any reason why we can't go on a good run. It was difficult at the start of the season because we sold a couple of players to Burnley and I think the fans were a bit disillusioned to see them go. But the young players have come in and taking on board what Sean O'Driscoll is trying to do and we've been played some good stuff at times.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FOREST GAME THIS SATURDAY?
A:Obviously it's a big game for us because we want to put that defeat against Tamworth behind us as quick as possible. It's great to have a club that has won the European Cup twice coming to Dean Court and I'm sure the fans are looking forward to it. Forest are a massive club and are showing signs that are starting to hit some form so we're expecting a very tough game.
