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. Mitchell believes the buoyant Dorset outfit is equipped to leave the shadow of Portsmouth and Southampton, its perceived more illustrious neighbours. And Cherries' majority shareholder is adamant the Dean Court club is primed to claim top billing from the fierce Hampshire rivals. His comments are sure to light the blue touchpaper ahead of Cherries' forthcoming clashes against the fallen Premier League pair. 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. 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. 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. I know Southampton are favourites to win League One but I think we will do well against them this season. 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. 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. 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. 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. But while Pompey continue to struggle, Saints have become one of the wealthiest clubs in the country under current owner Markus Liebherr. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I think they will have an uphill battle.