HARDMAN Marvin Bartley is prepared to put his tough tackling to the test in a bid to make Cherries' stay in League Two a brief one.
The combative midfielder insists he will be unfazed by the physical nature of life in the bottom tier of English football.
Having emerged from the non-league ranks after being handed his first professional contract by Kevin Bond last summer, Bartley is no stranger to getting stuck in.
The former Hampton and Richmond talisman, who is keen to remain at Dean Court next term, told the Daily Echo: "I've played in non-league and I don't think it gets any rougher than that.
"I think I've seen the worst of it so I shouldn't see anything that shocks me.
"I don't mind a tackle, as long as I'm winning the ball it's all right. I don't mind a bit of rough and tumble."
The 21-year-old's comments come after Cherries legend Steve Fletcher described the Football League's basement division as "beauty and the beast" in Tuesday's Daily Echo.
And Bartley, who is awaiting a new contract offer after his agent held talks with Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn, believes Bond's team will be well equipped for their new surroundings if the squad remains intact.
He said: "I think everyone is willing to put their foot in and I think we'll have no problem coping with that.
"All the players have said the same as me - if everyone stays we'll have no problem bouncing back up. It just depends if the boys stay, which I hope they do."
Bartley added: "It's been an enjoyable year, I've come on a lot and learned an awful lot.
"I've just got to try to get the best offer that's right for me.
"The fans have been brilliant towards me. I love playing at Bournemouth and I couldn't have wished for a better start. When it comes to the fans, it's been good."
