Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Mitchell: Cherries could be top club on south coast
AMBITIOUS chairman Eddie Mitchell is convinced Cherries are finally ready to win the battle for south coast supremacy.[LNB] Mitchell believes the buoyant Dorset outfit is equipped to leave the shadow of Portsmouth and Southampton, its perceived more illustrious neighbours.[LNB] And Cherries' majority shareholder is adamant the Dean Court club is primed to claim top billing from the fierce Hampshire rivals.[LNB] His comments are sure to light the blue touchpaper ahead of Cherries' forthcoming clashes against the fallen Premier League pair.[LNB] Cherries tonight host Pompey in a pre-season friendly before heading to St Mary's to meet Saints in the first round of the Carling Cup on August 10.[LNB] In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Mitchell said: I would like to think we could creep along and become top dogs on the south coast.[LNB] We have got a great set up here and the team and feelgood factor around the club is going to propel us up with them.[LNB] I know Southampton are favourites to win League One but I think we will do well against them this season.[LNB] I don't think Portsmouth are going to be up there for long and they don't seem to be going very far at the moment.[LNB] We are closing in on both of them and I would like to think that, eventually, we are going to be the top club on the south coast.[LNB] Portsmouth, who are now managed by former Cherries star Steve Cotterill, were relegated from the top flight last season, while Saints lost their Premier League place in 2005.[LNB] Like Cherries, the two clubs have both suffered their fair share of financial problems in recent years with all three having had points deductions for entering administration.[LNB] But while Pompey continue to struggle, Saints have become one of the wealthiest clubs in the country under current owner Markus Liebherr.[LNB] Mitchell added: I know we will be underdogs when we play Saints but it's only the size of their stadium that dictates that. We will have nothing to lose and I would like to think we would come out on top.[LNB] As much as people believe, it's not all about money. It might be in the top flight and there is no getting away from it that money helps.[LNB] But there are other contributory factors to success and they are hard work, determination and belief. We have got those in abundance. That's why I think we will do really well this season, compared with some of the clubs that have got a lot more money to spend.[LNB] I think it shows just how far we have come. We have come from death's door to the heart beating very fast. Southampton have remained stagnant.[LNB] They had a good shot at promotion last season but didn't make it. They must be under immense pressure to go up this season.[LNB] They have got the makings of a top-flight club but it's not automatic that you are going to make the best use of that.[LNB] I think they will have an uphill battle.[LNB]
