Cherries: Symes told to make up for lost time

26 January 2011 07:00
STEVE Fletcher is urging Michael Symes to make up for lost time and insists the enigmatic striker has a key role to play in Cherries' promotion push.[LNB] Symes has endured a frustrating and injury-interrupted debut campaign since joining Cherries on a free transfer from Accrington Stanley in the summer.[LNB] The 27-year-old made a hugely encouraging start to his Dean Court career when he netted four times in his first six league appearances at the start of the season.[LNB] But persistent shoulder and groin problems have restricted Symes to a bit part since his double strike spearheaded Cherries to victory against Exeter at the end of September.[LNB] Symes, who made his first start for 15 weeks against Brighton on Saturday, had previously made only four substitute appearances since facing the Seagulls at Withdean in early October.[LNB] Fletcher, Cherries' caretaker assistant manager alongside boss Lee Bradbury, told the Daily Echo: He was superb during that short spell at the start of the season and rediscovering that form has got to be his aim.[LNB] He has been in the wilderness for a while and it just seemed that every time he was ready to come back, something else cropped up. I know what that can be like and it's horrible. We want him playing because he is a massive player for us.[LNB] When Bradders spoke to the players, he said everybody would start with a clean slate. Everybody has got to impress to get in the team and Symesey has responded.[LNB] He came off the bench at Rochdale and did exactly what had been asked of him and then started against Brighton and probably did more than we had been expecting.[LNB] We asked him to run his socks off for an hour and to give us everything he had. He did that and more. I was due to come on for him after an hour but we just couldn't take him off because he was doing so well. He held up the ball well and his link play was excellent.[LNB] He will feel a lot better for getting those minutes under his belt and for being part of the set-up again. He is right back among it and now it is up to him to take it on and show why Eddie brought him in the summer. He can be one of our main players.[LNB] Fletcher, meanwhile, was quick to dismiss suggestions that Symes could push him farther down the pecking order should he continue to merit keeping his place.[LNB] Everybody wants what is best for the team, said Fletcher. I might be worried if I was 28, not 38![LNB] People compare us because of our height and stature but we are two very different players. The more fit strikers we have, the more beneficial it will be to the team.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo