Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Fletcher disheartened by manner of defeat
AGGRIEVED Steve Fletcher admitted the manner of Cherries' derby defeat was hard to accept but then gave credit to victors Southampton.[LNB] The veteran targetman, on as a second-half substitute, was involved in two of the game's major talking points when he saw strong penalty appeals waved away by referee Kevin Wright.[LNB] By that stage, Eddie Howe's men trailed 2-0 after Rickie Lambert twice expertly converted from 12 yards after the hosts were handed spot kicks.[LNB] Fletcher felt he should have been given at least one penalty after tangling with Saints centre-half Jose Fonte and seeing another claim turned down when he went to ground inside the 18-yard box.[LNB] Despite praising the performance of Southampton, Fletcher claimed the penalty given for a handball against Rhoys Wiggins was very harsh, with the second decision against Marvin Bartley even harsher.[LNB] Fletcher told the Echo: It's disheartening to think you lose a derby match on two decisions like that.[LNB] If they hadn't been given their penalties, I would still say my second one should have been a penalty the one where he (Fonte) had me practically in a headlock.[LNB] The one just before that, it was a long throw from Danny Hollands and Hammond gave me a push in the back with two hands.[LNB] Maybe because I'm a big lad and don't fall very gracefully, I probably didn't make the most of it, but it was still a foul.[LNB] If he hadn't given the other two penalties I would have said okay, that's fair enough, you don't give that one'.[LNB] But the second one with Fonte was a definite penalty. I do believe he was all over me, wouldn't let me head the ball and had me in a headlock.[LNB] Asked for his assessment of the performance, Cherries' record appearance-maker added: I thought they played well. You've got to give credit to Southampton.[LNB] I thought they passed it around well and played like they were full of confidence and a team near the top of the league, not near the bottom.[LNB] The two penalties disheartened us and we didn't play as well as we can. Take the two penalties out of it and you never know what can happen.[LNB] If Liam Feeney's effort that hit the post in the first minute had gone in, that's football, and it's a different game.[LNB] But you've got to give Southampton a bit of credit because I thought they played very well on Saturday.[LNB] The Echo was unable to ask the referee for a comment as a Southampton official said match officials do not usually talk to the media.[LNB]
