Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Robinson can't wait for St Mary's clash
MIDFIELD dynamo Anton Robinson is relishing the prospect of locking horns with local rivals Southampton and is confident Cherries can spring a surprise.[LNB] The first round draw of the Carling Cup yesterday paired Saints and Cherries, with Eddie Howe's men due to travel to St Mary's on the week commencing August 9.[LNB] With the clubs also set to meet twice in League One next term, the eagerly-anticipated game should act as a good gauge for Cherries as they look to make a successful transition into the third tier.[LNB] Saints are widely recognised as favourites to claim the League One title and Cherries will go into the cup clash as underdogs.[LNB] But former Weymouth captain Robinson, who was a key man for Howe's promotion-winners last season, believes Cherries can cause an upset against their south coast neighbours.[LNB] He told the Echo: They're a big club and are probably favourites to get promoted, but I think we're a strong team as well and, hopefully, we can test ourselves against them.[LNB] Last year, in the majority of games we went into, we were favourites and there was a lot of pressure on us.[LNB] This season, we're going into a season where against a lot of the teams we're not going to be favourites and I think that will take a lot of pressure off us. I think that's a good thing.[LNB] Southampton are a very strong team and they have got some great players. It will be nice to go up against them.[LNB] I'm confident we can go there and cause an upset.[LNB] It's a big game and I'm looking forward to it already.[LNB] The last time the clubs met in a competitive fixture was in the 1987-88 season, when Cherries claimed the local bragging rights in a two-legged League Cup derby win.[LNB] The fans have been waiting for these fixtures for a very long time, added Robinson.[LNB] For a player to play at a ground like St Mary's, in front of a big crowd and at a lovely stadium, I think it's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere.[LNB] Cherries, who have bolstered their resources with six summer signings, last met Saints in league action in the old division three in 1959-60.[LNB] They will discover this morning when they are due to go head-to-head in League One next season when the fixtures are released.[LNB]
