Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries' Fletcher: It's been my best ever year
HAVING racked up more than 700 appearances, Steve Fletcher knows more than most about only being as good as your last game.[LNB] But on the eve of the first anniversary of his return to the club, even Fletcher admits he was taken aback by the furore which followed Cherries' 2-1 defeat by Bury.[LNB] For some, a second successive home reverse was too much to swallow. For Fletcher, it was a disappointing end to what had been a memorable year.[LNB] Just 12 months ago, a wave of euphoria had greeted his return after Eddie Howe rescued him from his non-league exile with Crawley.[LNB] The rest especially his decisive goal as Cherries secured their Football League status against Grimsby in April is history.[LNB] It has been the most memorable year of my career, said Fletcher. When I was having the odd game here and there for Crawley, I thought the chance of more experiences and achievements may have gone.[LNB] It was surreal to come back. The lads predictably took the Mickey by giving me a guard of honour before my first training session.[LNB] Then, playing my first game against Wycombe felt more like a testimonial or a one-off. It was if I would have to go back straight after the game. It just didn't seem real.[LNB] People say you should never go back but I knew I had made the right decision. Everything felt right and I felt like a player again.[LNB] What we achieved last season was unbelievable and will live long in the memory. Beating Grimsby to keep our place in the league was just as good, if not better, than winning at the Millennium Stadium against Lincoln in 2003. In fact, it was probably better.[LNB] Cherries' record appearance-maker is a firm favourite with the Dean Court faithful and, understandably so, after his loyal service to the club.[LNB] But the boo-boos that darkened his door during the early years of his career in Dorset returned to haunt Fletcher and his team-mates during the defeat by Bury.[LNB] I think the result was blown out of all proportion, said the 38-year-old. But in saying that, you would probably get the same reaction at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge if Manchester United or Chelsea were to lose two home games on the trot.[LNB] I know it was only a few and, hopefully, people won't turn their backs on us. In my opinion, what we have achieved during the past 12 months has been beyond everyone's wildest dreams.[LNB] If you had told people in January 2009 where we would be in January 2010, they would have laughed at you.[LNB] Yes, we may have become victims of our own success, but I can assure people we are desperate to keep it going. We had reached a point where we were used to winning and have hit a sticky patch at home.[LNB] But it's not as if the desire isn't there. Some people just need to have a quick think before they reach for their keyboards. I know it's only a handful and I know people are entitled to their opinion, but it is counter-productive. Some of the comments in the Echo were a bit harsh and people are only human.[LNB] As players, we know we've got to put it right and won't just brush it under the carpet. We won't keep looking back to the last 12 months either. We know you can't live on past glories.[LNB] Maybe we should be judged in March or April or even at the start of May. We've got a big period coming up and are going to need everybody behind us.[LNB] We've given ourselves a massive opportunity and I believe we can still do it. Hopefully, we will come through with the plaudits I believe we deserve. All in all, it's been a tremendous year for the team and myself and, hopefully, it will get even better.[LNB]
