Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: We've proved we're worthy says Ryan
RYAN Garry believes Cherries' spirited St Mary's show silenced the critics who labelled Eddie Howe's men the David to Southampton's Goliath.[LNB] Garry was a rock in Howe's back four on Tuesday evening, but could do little to prevent Adam Lallana's stunning 63rd-minute strike handing the home side the lead.[LNB] And once Alex Chamberlain had rounded Shwan Jalal to slot home the second four minutes from time, Cherries' Carling Cup hopes were over for another year.[LNB] But it was Cherries' impressive first-half performance, sparking boos from the St Mary's faithful at half-time, that Garry believes will help the Dorset side bridge any remaining gap between Dean Court and their once proud south coast neighbours.[LNB] Garry, speaking before the shock announcement that Southampton owner Markus Liebherr had died yesterday, told the Echo: We're disappointed because we started really well and had a lot of chances, but we didn't convert them.[LNB] But we were all over them and, overall, I think they would have said we were on top. They kept the ball better in the second half, but I don't think the result was a fair reflection of the game.[LNB] They took their chances better than we did, but we can take a lot of positives out of the game.[LNB] When asked if the players had feared Alan Pardew's side prior to the tie, Garry added: We know the history and tradition of the club and it wasn't so long ago they were in the Premier League. The personnel they have in terms of management and players means they will probably be there or thereabouts in the league at the end of the season.[LNB] We were down in League Two for a while and a lot of people made us out to be the David' in this game. But I think we proved we don't fear anyone, we can't fear anyone and there is no need for us to fear anyone.[LNB] We showed in the second half at Charlton on Saturday that we can give the best sides a game. We just didn't get the results we wanted from those two games.[LNB] I think we showed in the first half that we are equal to Southampton and, like I say, we don't need to fear anyone.[LNB] We showed them what we're about and they are now aware of that, as are any other teams that may have been watching.[LNB] Garry also moved to reassure the Dean Court support that the goals will come, after Howe's men, on the back of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at the Valley, once again failed to find the net on Tuesday night.[LNB] Garry said: It's not a concern and it's not just down to the strikers to score anyway because we have set-plays and wide men who are dangerous. It's only a matter of time before we start scoring goals and once everyone is back and fit, I think we'll be fine.[LNB] There's more to come and we need to take positives from the game, improve and make sure we're going in the right direction.[LNB] We'll go again against Peterborough on Saturday, who are another team who will be there or thereabouts. It will be a good test again and we're looking forward it.[LNB]
