Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Fans' fave Pearce says side will learn
NEW fans' favourite Jason Pearce insists Cherries will learn lessons from their League One campaign but will not dwell on their shortcomings as they prepare for the play-offs.[LNB] Skipper Pearce, the overwhelming winner of the prestigious Micky Cave-Daily Echo supporters' player-of-the-year award, was ever present as Cherries secured a sixth-placed finish.[LNB] The 23-year-old will now be hoping to help Cherries overcome semi-final opponents Huddersfield in his pursuit of leading the club to back-to-back promotions.[LNB] Pearce knows the Terriers will be a tough nut to crack and also acknowledges that Cherries must stop shipping late goals, a recurring theme which probably cost them automatic promotion.[LNB] Defender Pearce helped Cherries claim two creditable draws against Huddersfield with an 89th-minute equaliser from Danny Cadamarteri costing them victory at Dean Court in February.[LNB] Pearce, speaking to the Daily Echo at Cherries' play-off press call yesterday, said: We gave a great account of ourselves in both games so I don't think we will have anything to fear.[LNB] Huddersfield are a very good team and only just missed out on automatic promotion so will have been disappointed about that. It didn't happen for them in the play-offs last season so they will know what they need to do and will be ready. We will be ready as well and it is going to be a massive test for us.[LNB] These are the games you want to be involved in. It is a high-profile game and you want to test yourself against the best players in the league.[LNB] Being a centre-half, nobody is more disappointed than I am about the number of late goals we have conceded this season. We know we have got to put it right and there is no better place than the play-offs.[LNB] We have addressed it and have worked on it in training. We aren't the biggest team in the division but we all know our jobs. We have finished the league season and can draw a line under it. We have got three games to get to the Championship. They are all big games and ones we can look forward to. We can't wait.[LNB] Pearce became only the third man to lift the supporters' award on two occasions having also won it in 2009. He moved into illustrious company alongside Shaun Teale and Eddie Howe.[LNB] I was delighted and honoured, he added. But I don't want to focus on myself because it has been a huge team effort this season.[LNB] I am young and hungry for success. I have achieved a lot at Bournemouth and want to keep on achieving and moving forward. It would be brilliant if I could do that here.[LNB] Pearce also collected the players' player-of-the-year award, while Anton Robinson landed the AFC Bournemouth Exiles' accolade. Danny Hollands was named player of the year by the club's vice-presidents and Danny Ings got the vote of the Junior Cherries.[LNB]
