‘SHUT YOUR GABB’
Sorry Saints.. We’re kings of the south coast now says Cook
BOURNEMOUTH defender Steve Cook has taunted neighbours Southampton by claiming the Cherries are now south coast top dogs.
Eddie Howe’s men finished in a higher league position than Saints for the first time ever last season and are once again looking down on Mark Hughes’ strugglers from sixth in the table.
Cook, whose blunder in the 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s in April effectively kept Saints in the Premier League, said: “We are the top team in the south right now.
“We finished above everyone on the south coast last season.
“I am sure a lot of people would argue against that but we let Southampton off last season - from a mistake by me - and we probably kept them in the league.
“We owe them. I know it’s at home but we will be looking to put things right from the away game last season.”
Portsmouth are Saints’ traditional Bournemouth 6th Lge 1 Southampton 2nd Lge 1 2011-12: Bournemouth 11th Lge 1 Southampton 1st Champ 2012-13: Bournemouth 2nd Lge 1 Southampton 14th Prem 2013-14: Bournemouth 10th Champ Southampton 8th Prem foes and some fans are reluctant even to class this match - dubbed ‘El Clasicoast’ as a derby.
But former Brighton star Cook said: “In the end I was pleased Southampton did stay up because the rivalry will grow as long as we are both in the Premier League and playing regular fixtures. There was a silver lining, I suppose, in losing to them last season.
“As the games keep being played the fans can get their teeth stuck into it a bit more and I think it will become a good rivalry.
“It doesn’t really mean too much right now but it’s nice to have some bragging rights for the fans.”
Bournemouth’s stunning start to the season of five
Bournemouth 1st Champ Southampton 7th Prem 2015-16: Bournemouth 16th Prem Southampton 6th Prem 2016-17: Bournemouth 9th Prem Southampton 8th Prem 2017-18: Bournemouth 12th Prem Southampton 17th Prem Present: Bournemouth 6th Prem Southampton 16th Prem wins from eight games has got their supporters dreaming of Europe but long-serving Cook is remaining grounded.
Cook said: “It’s very hard to gauge. In seasons gone by, we haven’t started well and then finished well. We are targeting the top half. We want to get those 40 points as quickly as possible and then who knows?
“We are only eight games in, it’s a good start right now and we need to stay on top of things.
“We have got to target consistent wins. We have won a couple, drawn and then suffered a big loss against Burnley which really brought us down to earth.
“We don’t want to get too high right now. We have a job to do, we want to stay grounded and keep picking up these wins along the way.” played the last game so he can’t complain too much. “We see him train every day and he does things that are as good as anything from the other strikers. But in certain games it has been difficult for him to have an influence. Everybody is getting a chance and it is up to them to take it.” AARON RAMSEY’S contract situation at Arsenal means he is set to leave, it’s a matter of when.
But Unai Emery insists he will continue to use the Welshman until he departs.
This week Ramsey celebrated the birth of twins with his partner.
Having only been a sub at Fulham, don’t risk adding the new father to your midfield.