Cherries: Connell promises Dean Court supporters - Ritchie is a treat

7:00am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Neil Perrett

ALAN Connell has hailed Cherries’ Matt Ritchie coup as “the best signing outside of the top two divisions” and says the Dean Court faithful are in for a treat.

Striker Connell, a popular figure during two spells with Cherries, played alongside Ritchie as the pair helped Swindon romp to the League Two title last season.

Close pals during their time at the County Ground, Connell was one of the first to congratulate Ritchie after his move had been sealed on Wednesday.

Connell has just returned from a training camp on Tenerife ahead of Bradford City’s League Cup final at Wembley against Swansea later this month.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is a massive statement from Bournemouth to sign a player from a promotion rival. Maybe they have taken advantage of Swindon’s financial predicament and it is probably a good deal for all parties.

“Matty set up a lot of my goals last season and his delivery is excellent. As a striker, it is a dream to attack the right areas to try to get on the end of his crosses. We used to say his delivery was Premier League class. The standard of his corners, set-pieces and crosses are outstanding.

“But he has got so much more to his game. Not only does he score great goals, he scores a lot of goals for a winger, he creates goals as well and is a constant danger.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that, even if he is hav ing a bad game, he always wants the ball. He is always willing to help the team by using his qualities whether he is having a good day or a bad one.

“You know there is always going to be a moment when he can produce something to win you a game.

“Sometimes, the manager would leave him on when he wasn’t playing particularly well and he would either produce a match- winning cross or pop a 30-yarder in the top corner.

“He works extremely hard and is a really good player with a really good attitude. I think he will do extremely well at Bournemouth and make their great squad even stronger.”

Connell added: “I think the supporters will love him. For a start, he is fairly local and they always warm to local lads.

“By signing for Bournemouth, he has shown he really wants to play for them because he has had a lot of clubs interested in him for a long time. I know playing for Eddie Howe was a big part in his decision.

“The fans will love the fact that he always gives 100 per cent because I know they respect you for that. In some ways, he is similar to Brett Pitman and can produce a moment of brilliance out of nothing to win you a tight game.

"Matt is capable of sticking the ball in the top corner from 30 yards and I think he did that against Bournemouth earlier this season.

“They have got themselves a fantastic player and I am sure he will prove to be a great signing.”

Comments(21)

DorsetBlues says...
7:22am Sat 2 Feb 13

Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division

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nonnogeppetto says...
7:31am Sat 2 Feb 13

The worms are out early this morning and they can use a keyboard too!!!!!

Look forward to see Ritchie play next Saturday. UTCIAD

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MB1980 says...
7:35am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
You seem a bit thick and ignorant.

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fletch for manager says...
7:43am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
Enjoy league 2 next season. Jealously is a horrible trait.

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Exiled Red says...
7:57am Sat 2 Feb 13

MB1980 wrote:
DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
You seem a bit thick and ignorant.
Not very good at maths either

5th is top quartile

I used that word to confuse him

This guy will disappear about five pm next week

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CherryFarmer says...
8:10am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
If its a very poor division.....what does that make you languishing at the bottom of it!!!!!

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Wilkie says...
8:14am Sat 2 Feb 13

Cheers Alan, nice to hear the views from someone who will always be popular down here. Good to see you getting some of the limelight with your cup final pending, you certainly deserve it after the bad luck you had whilst here with injuries.

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eaststandman says...
8:17am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
You're an embarrassment to your proud club.

You're an embarrassment to your own fans.

You're an embarrassment to football.

You must be an embarrassment to the town of Swanage.

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Fred Luton says...
8:29am Sat 2 Feb 13

Wilkie wrote:
Cheers Alan, nice to hear the views from someone who will always be popular down here. Good to see you getting some of the limelight with your cup final pending, you certainly deserve it after the bad luck you had whilst here with injuries.
Agreed.
Glad you are doing well Alan.
Good luck in cup.

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big_afcb_fan says...
9:24am Sat 2 Feb 13

Blimey who let the pompey troll out of his cage so early??

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devon fan says...
9:50am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
I thought that Dorset Blue was a smelly cheese, that rich people eat with a glass of port, I must be wrong it sounds like a puff pastry full of wind

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Frankiesbackfromhollywood says...
9:55am Sat 2 Feb 13

Best of luck Alan with that cup final, we will be supporting you that's for sure! One player we should have kept hold of, shame we let him go. Ritchie really is an exciting prospect, I can't wait to see him scoring next week at home against Pompey, he's already scored against them this season! Funny to see a comment about us being a poor side and only mid table from a "fan" of a club that's bottom of the league, I say bottom as they have 10 points to be deducted, if they ever get out of admin that is!! How many times are the high court going to postpone the inevitable? no one has enough money to save them!! Next week could be the last time we play them! I feel sorry for their real fans if which I hope to see many of next week, please exclude the Swanage contingent though!!

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
10:46am Sat 2 Feb 13

DORSET BLUES

Looking forward to your comments after next weeks game!!!!

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Afcbpete says...
11:22am Sat 2 Feb 13

TedMacsCherryPants wrote:
DORSET BLUES

Looking forward to your comments after next weeks game!!!!
He'll need to bring a calculator I doubt he counts past 5 :)

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Piston_Broke says...
11:22am Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
LLLLLLLDDDLLLLLL
Now swim away, fishy.

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mossy 1 says...
11:48am Sat 2 Feb 13

Afcbpete wrote:
TedMacsCherryPants wrote: DORSET BLUES Looking forward to your comments after next weeks game!!!!
He'll need to bring a calculator I doubt he counts past 5 :)
He should be able to count to six with that amount of fingers on one hand.

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
11:49am Sat 2 Feb 13

Hope Ritchie treats us to something special today. Sat outside moo-camp (looks like building site) travelled up straight from work this morning. This had better be worth it.
I see the Swanage village idiot came back for some more abuse, at least he will get to see a REAL team next week, and he can count past 5 coz he has 12 fingers, (6 on each hand).!!!!!!.

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
11:51am Sat 2 Feb 13

mossy 1 wrote:
Afcbpete wrote:
TedMacsCherryPants wrote: DORSET BLUES Looking forward to your comments after next weeks game!!!!
He'll need to bring a calculator I doubt he counts past 5 :)
He should be able to count to six with that amount of fingers on one hand.
Sh1t, you beat me to it.

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Afcbpete says...
12:35pm Sat 2 Feb 13

STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road wrote:
mossy 1 wrote:
Afcbpete wrote:
TedMacsCherryPants wrote: DORSET BLUES Looking forward to your comments after next weeks game!!!!
He'll need to bring a calculator I doubt he counts past 5 :)
He should be able to count to six with that amount of fingers on one hand.
Sh1t, you beat me to it.
Give em a shout from me Steady Eddie!! UTCIAD

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phil1965 says...
2:23pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Oh dear...we have a moron in our midsts,dorset blue you are indeed a moron of moronic proportions who is not only deluded but a little bit jealous of what is happening at dean court.Your club is stuffed.Youve got 10pts to be deducted yet as well.Feel sorry for proper pompey fans,but you are just pathetic coming on here spouting your tripe.Up the Cherries!

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Piston_Broke says...
3:24pm Sat 2 Feb 13

DorsetBlues wrote:
Matt Ritchie is far better than any player you have,shame he went to Boremouth where they are a mid table team in this very poor division
updated at 15.24:
LLLLLLLDDDLLLLLLL

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