Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Williams: Duo central to Cherries' promotion bid
FORMER Dean Court hero John Williams believes Cherries' inspirational central defensive duo could hold the key to the club's promotion hopes.[LNB] Williams, who made more than 130 appearances in a popular spell with the south coast club, is in a good position to comment on what it takes to bring footballing success to Dorset.[LNB] He was an influential figure in Cherries' 1987 third division title triumph and has kept a close eye on the team's progress in his role as matchday summariser for BBC Radio Solent.[LNB] And while the likes of Brett Pitman, Steve Fletcher and Danny Hollands have grabbed the headlines for their match-winning displays in recent games, Williams emphatically underlined how crucial captain Jason Pearce and Ryan Garry are at the heart of Eddie Howe's back four.[LNB] He told the Echo: Centre forwards win you games and centre-halves win you promotion. That's how important they are to a team.[LNB] All the best teams in the world are based on their defence.[LNB] Much of Cherries' success this season has been built on a solid defence, particularly early in the campaign, with 12 clean sheets giving them one of the best goals against records in the fourth tier.[LNB] And ex-Cherries centre-half Williams, who joined the club in a £30,000 move from Port Vale in December 1986 before serving as youth team boss and assistant manager, delivered his verdict on two of the key men behind that effort.[LNB] Discussing Pearce and Garry, he said: Right through the good times and bad, they have maintained their level of performance.[LNB] We're second in League Two and I'd definitely put them in the top three pairings in the division we're in.[LNB] They complement each other in that Jason is very aggressive and likes to attack the ball.[LNB] I had a boy called Mark Whitlock playing next to me at Bournemouth and he was quite happy to sweep up and I think Ryan Garry is the same. It suits him as Jason likes to attack the ball and that understanding is a good thing to have.[LNB] People have different attributes and certainly Jason's will to win inspires everyone. His tackles are a throwback to the olden days and it's great to see when he puts those tackles in.[LNB] Liverpool-born Williams, who thinks Pearce and Garry could add to their games by offering more in the opposition penalty area, also reckons Cherries are blessed with strong players throughout the team's spine.[LNB] He added: Your centre-halves, centre midfield, centre forward and goalkeeper, who has been outstanding, are vital, big players.[LNB] Whenever you have a promotion, play-offs or any sort of success, you find you're strong in those positions. I think we are with Anton Robinson, Danny Hollands, Steve Fletcher and Brett Pitman.[LNB]
