Defender reflects on Bournemouth friendly
Grecians full-back Arron Davies felt that the pre-season friendly against AFC Bournemouth at St James Park provided Exeter City with everything they needed from the fixture.The game ended with a 2-1 defeat, as goals from Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas overturned David Wheeler’s strike for Exeter, but ultimately the result was inconsequential.
What was of consequence, on the other hand, was a chance to get more minutes into the legs and a chance to be stretched and tested in their own final third by a Premier League opponent.
“It was a very good game,” Arron said. “I think we got everything out of it that we wanted.
“First of all, no injuries – and it was a very good workout against a very good side, and a lot of things we have been working on defensively in training have come out in the game.
“I think Tis will be very happy, and as a group of players we’re very happy. There are a lot of positives to come out of the game.
“It was a defeat, but it’s pre-season and that doesn’t really matter. It was a good test for us and a good workout, and that’s spot-on for where we are in pre-season at the minute.”
The Cherries showed glimpses of how they managed to accrue 98 goals in the Championship last season, with some neat interchanges in and around the area and a willingness to pull the trigger.
But the Grecians held their own against a top-flight opponent – not to mention creating some good opportunities – and the Welshman was happy with the overall showing.
He continued: “Bournemouth are very fluent, especially coming off the flanks. From a full-back area, if you have a nibble they’ll put it down the side.
“So their movement from out to in is very good and they’ve got pace all over the pitch, so it’s more of a concentration thing for us.
“I know a few of the lads that play for Bournemouth, and they were very complimentary when we came off the pitch. That speaks for itself.
“We know where we’re at, and that we’ve got things to work on. But that’s spot on for where we are at the minute and we’ll take a lot of positives from that.”
Watch Arron Davies’ full post-match interview below on Grecian PlayerHD.