Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pugh wants bundle of joy and a win
FATHER-to-be Marc Pugh is desperate to help Cherries claim the derby bragging rights so he can wet the baby's head in style.[LNB] Pugh's wife Laura is due to give birth to their first child on Sunday, just hours after Cherries have locked horns with Southampton in front of a sell-out crowd at Dean Court.[LNB] A lifelong Burnley supporter, Pugh is no stranger to the powder-keg atmosphere of their East Lancashire rivalry with Blackburn and wants to help Cherries get one over their neighbours.[LNB] Pugh is also keen to see Cherries avenge their defeat at St Mary's in October and get their promotion push back on track following the midweek reserve at Exeter.[LNB] He told the Daily Echo: It was frustrating to lose at Exeter and it felt like the end of the world. But we will pick ourselves up and the lads will be raring to go for the Southampton game.[LNB] With this game coming so soon, it has given us and an opportunity to bounce back.[LNB] I know all about the rivalry between the supporters and both sets of fans are very passionate. It would be great for everyone connected with the club if we could come out on top.[LNB] Pugh has already been on the receiving end of two defeats at the hands of Saints this season, the league reverse coming following a Carling Cup exit in August.[LNB] The Lancastrian said: They are probably one of the best teams we have played this season and they are certainly one of the biggest clubs in this division. It has got all the makings of being a great game.[LNB] Bradders and Fletch have done a wonderful job and we can't get downhearted about Tuesday's performance. We weren't great at Exeter and didn't look like creating too much but I don't think we can really complain after one defeat in 11.[LNB] We have proved we can compete in this division. We didn't have the greatest start to the season by losing to Charlton and Southampton but we beat Peterborough 5-1 and they are one of the top teams.[LNB] We will work ourselves into the ground and give everything we have got against Southampton, as we do in every game. We have the belief we can win and want to break away from the chasing pack and widen the gap.[LNB] All the top teams have got some tasty fixtures remaining during the run-in and ours doesn't look too bad compared with some of the others.[LNB] We just need to keep picking up points and see where it takes us.[LNB] Pugh, who has put penning his Daily Echo diary on hold to prepare for fatherhood, added: I'm really looking forward to it and am hoping for a double celebration over the weekend.[LNB] Cherries: (from) Jalal, Smith, Pearce, Baudry, Wiggins, Feeney, Robinson, Hollands, Pugh, Symes, Dalla Valle, Purches, Fletcher, Cooper, Ings, Cummings, Molesley, Partington, Stewart.[LNB] Saints: (from) Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Martin, Harding, Chamberlain, Hammond, Chaplow, Lallana, Lambert, Barnard, Jaidi, Richardson, Dickson, Forte, N'Guessan, Do Prado, Seaborne, Forecast.[LNB]
