INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil says Mark Travers has “responded well” to the disappointment of being dropped for Wednesday night’s clash with Wolves, adding how he “understood” the decision. Experienced Brazilian Neto took the place of Travers, keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw. Asked how being the goalkeeper for such a heavy defeat had affected Travers,
Gary O’Neil said: “After the 9-0, he was fine. I mean, it hits everyone losing 9-0, of course. But Trav no more than anybody else. I think everybody suffered in that moment at Anfield. He has responded well, training-wise. Obviously being left out is disappointing to every player. A goalkeeper always feels a little bit different because there is only one place to fight for. But he understood that I felt it was best for him and mainly the group. My main concern is the group. I felt it was best for the group at that time and that’s what my decisions will always be based upon.”
Neto looks likely to keep his spot when Cherries head to Nottingham Forest for their next top-flight encounter tomorrow (3pm). Discussing the former Barcelona man’s Premier League debut against Wolves,
Gary O’Neil said: “He handled it well. He had some big moments in the game, he handled them well. Same as a lot of the players really, especially the defenders handled some big moments well. It’s nice when you feel that things do need shoring up a bit, to have some experienced boys around.”
Ryan Christie believes Manchester City will inflict multiple heavy defeats on numerous sides this season, with Cherries set to travel to a Nottingham Forest side reeling from a 6-0 reversal at the hands of the champions. When asked if they were expecting a downbeat Forest after their heavy defeat to City,
Ryan Christie said: “No, listen, Man City can do that to anyone. We kind of felt how good they were. They were impressive against us on the day, it’s obviously happened to Forest as well. I’m sure we won’t be the only two teams that will happen to this season. Going into the weekend, we’re positive after the result (against Wolves), and they’ll be obviously looking to bounce back, especially in front of their home crowd. But you go into every game in this league desperate to pick up points because you know how much it means to everyone. Even (against Wolves), we’d have loved three points, but we’re all delighted with one point, because we know how much every point means in this league.”
Christie has had a role to play in all six of Cherries’ games this season, starting three league games and coming off the bench twice. He also played the full 90 minutes away at Carrow Road, scoring the winning spot-kick as Cherries advanced on penalties past Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
