Cherries: Hollands happy to bridge the gap

03 February 2011 07:00
DANNY Hollands feels under pressure to fill Marvin Bartley's boots but insists Cherries' unity can keep them on track for promotion despite the latest Dean Court departure.[LNB] The central midfielder is desperate to make his mark in the Cherries engine room following Bartley's controversial deadline day transfer to Burnley.[LNB] Bartley's decision to join Eddie Howe in Lancashire left a hole in the Cherries midfield, which Hollands has been tasked with plugging by new boss Lee Bradbury.[LNB] The former Chelsea reserves captain made an ideal first-team return when he fired a late winner to beat Swindon on Tuesday, a victory that saw Bradbury's men close the gap on long-time leaders Brighton.[LNB] While the exit of Bartley has not helped the Dorset club's League One chances, Hollands revealed that Cherries' stars still had faith in their second-tier dream.[LNB] And he is hoping to play a key role as they bid to continue defying the losses of transferred trio Bartley, Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid.[LNB] Losing players like Marvin, Brett and Josh would affect any team, said Hollands.[LNB] But the team spirit is so tight and we all believe in each other. We work hard for each other and we believe we can achieve things.[LNB] We're, maybe, not as good as some teams technically, but we give 100 per cent and we are winners. We want to try to come out on top every time we go on the pitch and we have proved that.[LNB] We have beaten teams like Brighton at home and have gone away and turned over good teams as well. It just proves we are in this for the long haul and want to achieve something.[LNB] We've shown over the past three years we've got a team of winners and we want to achieve things.[LNB] Hollands has endured mixed fortunes this term, undergoing hernia surgery in pre-season before finding himself in and out of the team due to the form of Bartley and Anton Robinson. Despite 11 of his 24 third tier appearances coming off the bench, Hollands has demonstrated his worth with a tally of five league goals, second only to leading marksman Marc Pugh.[LNB] He added: It's nice to be back playing no one likes to be out of the squad and in the stands.[LNB] There is pressure on me to fill Marv's boots. He did a great job for us and no one can take away from anything he did. All the lads wish him well, but he's gone and I feel like I've got to step up to the plate and try to do what he did.[LNB] We're a close-knit squad whichever 11 players take the field and we will continue to be that.[LNB] We just want to make sure whoever takes the field that we continue to push the club forward and stay where we are in the league.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo