Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Bradbury relishes increase in pressure
BOSS Lee Bradbury admitted crafting his own team had put extra weight on his managerial shoulders but insisted: It is a pressure I love and a pressure that I want to live up to.[LNB] Determined Bradbury is relishing his maiden full season in charge of Cherries, which starts against big-spending Charlton Athletic in tomorrow's League One opener.[LNB] The clash will see new-look Cherries thrust into competitive action for the first time following a summer of sweeping changes at Seward Stadium.[LNB] Six members of last season's play-off team Adam Smith, Jason Pearce, Rhoys Wiggins, Danny Hollands, Anton Robinson and Donal McDermott have left the club.[LNB] Forced to embark on a rebuilding mission, Bradbury signed goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, new captain Adam Barrett, midfielder Steven Gregory and Premier League loanees Scott Malone and Nathan Byrne.[LNB] Bradbury has also had the opportunity to make his mark on the club's existing players as well as the recent recruits as they have used pre-season to work towards the style of football he wants.[LNB] Speaking to the media ahead of training yesterday, Bradbury said: We have lost a few but we have brought in some quality players as well.[LNB] I feel like I have brought in my own people now and we are starting to adapt and play the way I want us to.[LNB] I do feel, a little bit more, that it is my team.[LNB] I suppose that brings extra pressure because you get judged on the people you bring in. Players have gone and I have had to fill those holes.[LNB] But we are all under pressure. No matter what job you are in, everyone has got pressures on them.[LNB] It is a pressure I love and a pressure that I want to live up to, and all the players do as well.[LNB] Cherries' trip to the capital is a repeat of last season's opening-day fixture, when the Dorset outfit tasted defeat on their return to the third tier.[LNB] Bradbury believes the survivors of last term will have learned from their experiences and that Cherries are more mature now.[LNB] And while he is tipping fellow managerial newcomer Chris Powell to succeed at Charlton, Bradbury thinks it could be a good time to face the Addicks after they signed no fewer than 15 players during the summer.[LNB] He said: We have got to hope we catch them early because if they do knit together, they will be a good team.[LNB] They have got some good individual players. Whether they start to play as a team straight away remains to be seen.[LNB] I feel it will be a good time to play them.[LNB] Bradbury confirmed striker Michael Symes (groin) would join Joe Partington (hip) on the sidelines.[LNB]
