Cherries: Bradbury relishes increase in pressure

BOSS Lee Bradbury admitted crafting his own team had put extra weight on his managerial shoulders but insisted: It is a pressure I love and a pressure that I want to live up to. Determined Bradbury is relishing his maiden full season in charge of Cherries, which starts against big-spending Charlton Athletic in tomorrow's League One opener. The clash will see new-look Cherries thrust into competitive action for the first time following a summer of sweeping changes at Seward Stadium. Six members of last season's play-off team Adam Smith, Jason Pearce, Rhoys Wiggins, Danny Hollands, Anton Robinson and Donal McDermott have left the club. Forced to embark on a rebuilding mission, Bradbury signed goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, new captain Adam Barrett, midfielder Steven Gregory and Premier League loanees Scott Malone and Nathan Byrne. Bradbury has also had the opportunity to make his mark on the club's existing players as well as the recent recruits as they have used pre-season to work towards the style of football he wants. Speaking to the media ahead of training yesterday, Bradbury said: We have lost a few but we have brought in some quality players as well. I feel like I have brought in my own people now and we are starting to adapt and play the way I want us to. I do feel, a little bit more, that it is my team. I suppose that brings extra pressure because you get judged on the people you bring in. Players have gone and I have had to fill those holes. But we are all under pressure. No matter what job you are in, everyone has got pressures on them. It is a pressure I love and a pressure that I want to live up to, and all the players do as well. Cherries' trip to the capital is a repeat of last season's opening-day fixture, when the Dorset outfit tasted defeat on their return to the third tier. Bradbury believes the survivors of last term will have learned from their experiences and that Cherries are more mature now. And while he is tipping fellow managerial newcomer Chris Powell to succeed at Charlton, Bradbury thinks it could be a good time to face the Addicks after they signed no fewer than 15 players during the summer. He said: We have got to hope we catch them early because if they do knit together, they will be a good team. They have got some good individual players. Whether they start to play as a team straight away remains to be seen. I feel it will be a good time to play them. Bradbury confirmed striker Michael Symes (groin) would join Joe Partington (hip) on the sidelines.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo