DEFENDER Jack Stacey has revealed how Cherries aimed to target Huddersfield early and capitalise on 24 hours of extra recovery, adding: “We felt beforehand we maybe had a little bit of an advantage.”

The play-off chasing Terriers played out a gruelling 0-0 draw with Birmingham City on Wednesday night, leaving just 65 hours between the close of play midweek and kick-off at Vitality Stadium.

Scott Parker’s Cherries, on the other hand, were forced to work equally hard for a 1-0 win at Stoke City but had an additional day to regroup and recharge, with Stacey admitting this prompted a feeling of opportunity.

Dominic Solanke was brought down in the area inside the first ten minutes and duly converted from the spot to send Cherries into cruise control for the remainder of the affair on Saturday.

“Yeah I think the early goal was really crucial for us,” Stacey told the Daily Echo, “we wanted to start well.”

“We felt beforehand we maybe had a little bit of an advantage in the fact we played 24 hours before them so if we started with high intensity and kill them off early that would be really helpful.

“We got the penalty early and like you say it was pretty dominant from then.”

He continued: “I think we are very happy with the (unbeaten) start, it was eyed from the first moment the manager came in that we’d be back pushing into the top two towards automatic promotion.

“Maybe we didn’t think it would go as well as it has so far but if we can keep picking up wins and pushing the gap then potentially other teams will look at us thinking they’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Asked about what it means to still be unbeaten as well as topping the table at this stage, Stacey admitted: “I think of course it’s a great thing, it shows that we are on the right path.

“We are happy in the changing room celebrating the win, but all I can say is that it’s only 14 games and we want the same after 46.”