Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Hughes 'can handle' jeers says Fletch
STEVE Fletcher believes controversial Notts County striker Lee Hughes is big enough to handle the boo boys - despite the striker reacting to a section of the Dean Court crowd.[LNB] Hughes's every touch was jeered by a number of home supporters during Saturday's FA Cup second round clash at Dean Court.[LNB] And after the former West Brom striker volleyed home the Magpies' equaliser, he performed a celebratory dance in front of the main stand.[LNB] The 33-year-old then sarcastically applauded the North Stand's chorus of boos as he walked off punching the air following the visitors' 2-1 victory.[LNB] Fletcher, who came on as a late substitute, told the Echo: With what happened to Lee in the past, he is going to get a bit of stick wherever he goes in the country. I spoke to him when I was at Chesterfield because he's from that neck of the woods.[LNB] He's a great goalscorer and has scored goals at a higher level so he will always be a threat.[LNB] He gets in the right places at the right time and he played up front by himself.[LNB] Our boys dealt with him superbly and I thought they got the better of him. But he did what he does best and got himself on the score sheet.[LNB] He's a good player and he got a lot of stick off the supporters so maybe that's why he went over and over-celebrated his goal. But he's going to get that wherever he goes and I think he's big enough to handle it.[LNB] Cherries' hopes of a comeback after the Magpies came from behind to take a 2-1 lead just before the hour mark were hindered by the torrential rain that lashed Dean Court during the second half.[LNB] And although Fletcher's introduction with 20 minutes remaining gave Eddie Howe's charges the route one option, a farcical last 10 minutes saw players struggling to even stay on their feet.[LNB] Fletcher added: The game shouldn't have been abandoned. It was just difficult from our point of view that the conditions were the way they were because they don't suit a team like ourselves.[LNB] I came on so we could go more direct, but the lads couldn't strike it well enough because they were just kicking mud and water. It was horrific and the conditions beat us a little bit.[LNB]
