Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Garry happy to help despite illness
GALLANT Ryan Garry came off his sick bed to answer Cherries defensive SOS and then admitted: I was just happy to be on the pitch.[LNB] Garry, who had been sidelined for a fortnight with swine flu, returned to play his part as Eddie Howes League Two table-toppers claimed a 0-0 draw at Port Vale yesterday.[LNB] The classy defender helped Cherries keep their sixth clean sheet of the season after being drafted in as a replacement for Scott Guyett, the latest addition to Cherries mounting injury crisis.[LNB] Garry told the Daily Echo: Unfortunately, I contracted the dreaded swine flu after the Darlington game so havent done too much for a couple of weeks.[LNB] I didnt realise I had it until I saw the doctor. You only feel bad for a couple of days but it takes a lot out of you. I think it was down to circumstances more than anything else why I played but it was great to be out there and I was just happy to get as long as I did.[LNB] Its strange how things have worked out. A fortnight ago, we had a packed bench and now we are really short on numbers.[LNB] Thats out of our hands and all we can do is concentrate on what happens on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Im looking forward to getting my fitness levels back to how they were with a full weeks training.[LNB] Garry, who was replaced by Marvin Bartley 13 minutes from time, was recalled to the starting line-up as boss Howe had no other defensive options.[LNB] Its one of those things, added the former Arsenal man. Im very happy to be here and think weve got a great squad, although it is quite small.[LNB] I think we can be proud of getting a point. We were delighted to keep a clean sheet because its not an easy place to come and they were a good team.[LNB] Co-incidentally, Cherries first draw of the season was also their first since Vale held them to a stalemate at Dean Court in early March.[LNB] Garry said: Thats an interesting statistic and shows just how times have changed if you think back to where we were then compared with now (Cherries were 23rd in League Two).[LNB] We spoke about it in the huddle before the game when Lee Bradbury said being top of the league was a different type of pressure and one we had to enjoy.[LNB] Its the first time a lot of us in the squad have experienced being at the top of the league and its a nice pressure.[LNB] Weve got to be in that mind-set now. Were in the driving seat, its in our hands and weve got to make sure we continue our form from the first 11 league games and take it on.[LNB]
