7:00am Tuesday 5th August 2008
By Ian Wadley
UNCOMPROMISING defender Scott Guyett is hoping it's love at first sight when he makes his debut appearance at Dean Court as a Cherries player.
The Australian is keen to impress in his maiden competitive outing for the club against Gillingham on Saturday after joining from Yeovil Town last week.
Guyett, 32, caught the eye in Cherries' final pre-season friendly against Eastleigh at the weekend and he is aiming to earn a place in the home faithful's affections when the League Two campaign begins.
"It's important to make a good first impression - it's important to me," the former Oxford United and Chester City centre-half told the Daily Echo.
"I want to get the fans on my side and putting in a few strong performances will hopefully do that."
Guyett doesn't expect it to be easy against the Gills, however, with previous experience telling him they are always a difficult team to play against.
He said: "Every time I've played against them they've always been quite physical and big.
"I'm expecting a tough game, but in saying that, I think all the games will be tough.
"It's going to be interesting how the teams who've come down do this season.
"Teams that drop down are always expected to do quite well, but there's always one or two that struggle - hopefully that won't be us.
"It's important to get your first win in your first league game as it takes a lot of pressure off."
Guyett started alongside Jason Pearce in the 4-0 victory over Eastleigh and he has tipped his young colleague to be successful in the Football League's basement division.
"It's good to have a left-footed player alongside me," he said.
"In the past it was three centre-backs who were all right-footed. So it's an added bonus and Pearcey looks a good, young player.
"He played a significant part at the back end of last season and if he can handle League One, I'm sure he can handle League Two no problem."
Guyett, who felt the physical match at Eastleigh provided Cherries with a good work-out prior to the start of the season, is hoping to settle in the Bournemouth area as soon as possible with his wife Vianna.
He added: "I think it's important you live in the town you play for, or reasonably close, because I want to cut down on travelling.
"I finished training and had a cruise around Bournemouth and popped into a few estate agents."
Following the loss of central defenders Russ Perrett and Josh Gowling during the summer Guyett, who was born in England and raised and schooled in Australia, will add experience to Cherries' backline.
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