BIG-OVIC From AC Milan to Luton, Asmir’s back in business and hailed Cherries hero
BOURNEMOUTH captain Steve Cook helped his side edge towards eight hours without conceding – and then claimed their defending during that run has not been up to scratch.
The Cherries have now kept five clean sheets in a row.
But Cook believes that streak of form is down to goalkeeper Asmir Begovic – and not defenders at the disposal of Bournemouth urnemouth boss Jason Tindall (right). ght).
He said: “We e haven’t been outstanding, g, Asmir has been outstanding tanding with the saves he’s e’s made.
“I feel that we are giving away chances which isn’t good enough but when hen we have, Asmir mir has been able to o bail us out. He’s a top-class keeper. r.
“We’re pleased d with the clean n sheets but we e need to score a bit more now.
“This week k without a game e is like gold dust.
“We’re looking ng forward to a rest.” t.”
Begovic, 33, is rolling back the years with some me imperious displays lays and made a superb stop to foil Danny Hylton, who had a good battle with Adam Smith (right). The Bosnian’s Cherries career looked over last term after being shipped out on loan spells s to Qarabag and AC Milan. .
But Begovic has been a star attraction in the e Championship.
Cook said: “It was like having a new signing when he came back from AC Milan. AC Milan! That’s a top team.
“He’s showed why he is the best keeper in the league.
“He’s a massive presence, he’s a big lad, very agile and very ver good with his feet.
“He gives you such confidence playing in front of him. We can keep a higher line or take a risk. Full credit to Asmir and we’re lucky lu to have him.”
While Begovic goes goe from strength to strength, Luton goalkeeper James S Shea is sweating over his pl place in the Hatters line-up.
““And And he fears he will be dropped for the Boxing Day trip to Reading after first choice Simon Sluga returned to the bench following a shoulder injury.
Shea said: “I want to play as many games as I can but Simon has been class. Slugs is back to fitness and of course he wants to play – he’s a Croatian international.
“If I play, I play. If I don’t I’ll be right behind Slugs.
“Hand on heart, I don’t know whether I’ll start at Reading.
“We’ve taken points off the top two, Bournemouth and Norwich this month, and that shows how far we’ve come as a club.
“It’s not little old Luton any more. We are a good Championship team and we deserve to be where we are.”
Shea 6, Cranie 7, Lockyer 7, Bradley 7, Potts 6 (Pearson 90), Berry 7, Mpanzu 7, Dewsbury-Hall 7, Norrington-Davies 6, Collins 6 (Nombe 89), Hylton 6 (Cornick 71, 6)
Begovic 7, Smith 7, S Cook 7, Simpson 7, Kelly 7, Billing 6 (Rico 57, 6), L Cook 6, Lerman 6, Brooks 6 (Riquelme 69, 6), Solanke 6 (Surridge 56, 6), Stanislas 6