Cherries: Jalal determined to hang on to shirt (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Jalal determined to hang on to shirt

7:00am Friday 17th August 2012 in Cherries News By Neil Perrett

Cherries star Shwan Jalal believes his close friendship and fierce rivalry with Darryl Flahavan has made him a better goalkeeper.

The pair duelled for the green jersey over pre-season with injury to Flahavan seeing Jalal get the nod for Cherries’ League Cup tie at Oxford.

Jalal, who lost his place to Flahavan a year ago, is again expected to start when Cherries kick off their League One campaign at Portsmouth tomorrow.

The 28-year-old told the Daily Echo: “We will keep each other on our toes game by game. I was disappointed to lose my place last season but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“The season ended on a high for me when I played the final two games and kept a clean sheet in the win against Preston. I built on that and did some extra work over the summer. That is how much I want it and how much I want to be successful with Bournemouth. If I keep performing, hopefully, I will keep the shirt.

“Myself and Flavs have got a great relationship. We talk a lot and I took a lot of things from him last season. I didn’t spit the dummy, I tried to take things on and make myself a better keeper.

“He pulled me to one side before the Oxford game and wished me all the best. That is a sign of the man. I played with Mark Tyler at Peterborough and he was similar to Flavs. If you look at their professionalism and the way they handle themselves on the pitch, that is what I aspire to and look up to.”

Cherries were beaten on penalties at the Kassam Stadium just hours after Jalal had become a father for the second time when wife Becky gave birth to daughter Eva.

Jalal will be hoping to help Cherries record only their second opening-day win in the past 13 seasons – and only a second in their history at Fratton Park.

He added: “I was part of the team that went to St Mary’s a couple of years ago and that was special. I don’t think Fratton Park will be any different.

“We have got the greatest respect for Portsmouth and have got to do a job. We have got to play our own game and try to put things right after Tuesday.

“We have got to play the way the manager wants us to. Whoever Portsmouth put on the pitch, we know we have got the ability to win.

“It is important to try to get the first win under your belt. The manager is a stern believer in the way he wants to play and we played some great stuff during pre-season. We have got to prove Tuesday was a blip, regroup and take it from there.”