Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Fletcher insists squad has to stay together
STEVE Fletcher is desperate to see Cherries further enhance their promotion prospects by avoiding deadline day sales and insists: We've given ourselves a massive chance.[LNB] The 38-year-old believes Cherries have a big opportunity to push for League One honours after keeping their gallant pursuit of a place in the Championship on track with a 2-1 win at Plymouth.[LNB] Cherries' ambitions of achieving second tier status will be helped if they can keep their in-form side intact, with the club's supporters anxiously awaiting tonight's 11pm closure of the January transfer window.[LNB] A number of Cherries' leading lights including Saturday's goalscorer Marc Pugh and star man Shwan Jalal have been linked with moves away from Dean Court this month, but chairman Eddie Mitchell remains adamant nobody will be sold until at least the end of the season.[LNB] And Fletcher, the match-winner at Plymouth, is hoping the squad stays together beyond today to fight for a place in the Championship.[LNB] Fletcher told the Echo: We've given ourselves a massive chance coming to the end of January. We're in and among it and every game gets bigger and bigger.[LNB] I think we've got a great chance anyway but, of course, even more so if we can keep all the players together.[LNB] Fletcher added: We've got a fantastic squad but we can't really do anything more than take it game by game and just hope that everybody stays.[LNB] I believe they will and I believe everybody is going to be here. It's an honour to be part of a squad where you have got interest in so many players.[LNB] Whether the offers have come in or if it's speculation, it's great to think that our team have got people looking at them. It must prove that we are doing something right at AFC Bournemouth.[LNB] Fletcher came off the bench to strike in the 84th minute as Cherries completed a quickfire double over Argyle on Saturday.[LNB] Pugh put Cherries in front on 19 minutes before goalkeeper Jalal produced three excellent saves to preserve the lead.[LNB] Rory Fallon deservedly levelled for the wasteful hosts, who dominated for long periods, but Fletcher converted clinically from 12 yards to ensure Cherries stayed hot on the heels of leaders Brighton.[LNB]
