Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Jal tips duo to come back stronger from loan spells
Cherries star Shwan Jalal the goalkeeper who honed his skills in the Conference says non-league's top tier will provide a fantastic grounding for Joe Partington and Mitchell Nelson.[LNB] Jalal knows all about the division as he played more than 100 games for Woking, first on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and then after signing permanently when he left White Hart Lane.[LNB] Following an enjoyable spell with the Cards, Jalal moved into the Football League with Peterborough United before establishing himself as number one at Dean Court.[LNB] Given that background, the 27-year-old is well placed to provide an insight into what Partington and Nelson can expect on loan in the Conference after the duo joined Eastbourne Borough, initially on one-month deals.[LNB] The pair could make their debuts when the Sports visit Grimsby this afternoon and Jalal said: It will be a fantastic grounding for them.[LNB] I think I was 18 or 19 when I went out on loan to Woking from Spurs. The goalkeeping coach at the time said it would be the best thing you ever did.[LNB] It's fantastic that Parts and Mitch have gone out to Eastbourne because it will keep them match fit.[LNB] There's nothing like playing for three points every Saturday and knowing they're playing alongside players where this is their livelihood and results mean whether they get a contract next season or not.[LNB] It did me the world of good and I made some great friends at Woking.[LNB] It puts them in the spotlight and helps show what they can do because they are going up to Grimsby for their first game and it will be a tough test.[LNB] I think Parts and Mitch will benefit from playing in the Conference because it's a tough league.[LNB] Youth team graduate Partington has scored twice in 30 appearances for Cherries, but his progress has been hampered by a series of injuries, while Nelson was a summer signing from Ryman League Tooting & Mitcham.[LNB] Jalal continued: We know what a fantastic talent Parts is. He's had a couple of injuries which have hindered him, but all the lads know what a great player he is and I think it will do him the world of good. Mitch is developing every day, works really hard and is a great lad.[LNB] I just think it will be really good experience for them.[LNB] Discussing his early career ahead of this afternoon's Dean Court clash against Colchester (3pm), Jalal added: I started playing men's football at the age of 16 when I was at Hastings so I knew what it was all about.[LNB] But it (playing for Woking) made me sharper, made me appreciate more aspects of the game and made me feel stronger because you are playing against more physical sides than you are used to in the reserves and youth team.[LNB] It was a great place to start my career really and play week in, week out, and Woking will always have a special place in my heart.[LNB]
