Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Fletch's warning over Feeney class
STEVE Fletcher has underlined the threat posed by familiar foe Warren Feeney and believes Cherries' defence will relish the challenge of facing his old strike partner.[LNB] Cherries could come face to face with the former Dean Court frontman, who now plies his trade with Oldham Athletic, when the teams lock horns at Boundary Park tomorrow (3pm).[LNB] The Northern Ireland star, who was linked with a return to Dorset during the summer, enjoyed a fruitful spell with Cherries and netted 36 goals in 108 league games between 2001 and 2004.[LNB] And Fletcher admits the ex-Luton, Cardiff and Stockport forward will be a man to watch. The club captain, who is back in Eddie Howe's squad following a heel injury, told the Echo: I played with Warren for a few years and he was great to play with. He scored a lot of goals and we had a good partnership together.[LNB] He's got pace and he's very direct they are his two main attributes for me. He likes to get in behind defenders I can't imagine him coming off too short to get the ball but he is a threat in and around the box and with the ball over the top.[LNB] But we've got good defenders blessed with a lot of pace. If you look at Ryan Garry, Jason Pearce and Rhoys Wiggins, we've got a lot of defenders who are more than capable of matching Warren for pace. But he's always going to be a danger because he's a goal threat.[LNB] I've got nothing but good memories of Warren and I reckon I'll stay friends with him forever and a day.[LNB] Fletcher added: I don't think we really panic about anyone with pace now.[LNB] We've got a very athletic team and I think that is what's stood us in good stead during this early part of the season.[LNB] We've over-run teams just because we're fitter and stronger and quicker, and it's the same at the back.[LNB] We've got a great defence that can cope with whatever comes up against them, whether it be pace, strength or skilful players, our defence has played well against them all this season.[LNB] But Warren poses a threat and that's what he's done throughout his career. I'm sure our boys will be up to the challenge and will like playing against someone like Warren, who is an international.[LNB] I'm sure Pearcey and Ryan Garry or Coops whichever two start will relish playing against someone like Warren.[LNB] In an interview with the Daily Echo in May, Feeney was full of praise for his former employers.[LNB] He said: I loved my time at Bournemouth and it is a great club. It has been phenomenal what has been achieved at Bournemouth over the past couple of seasons. Eddie and Jason have really got them going and I was delighted to see them win promotion.[LNB] They deserved all the plaudits they received and it shows just how far they have come. They appear to have a stable background and Eddie Mitchell seems to know what he is doing. I wish them all the best.[LNB]
