Gills 1-0 Bournemouth: Neale Cooper

Last updated : 16 September 2005 By Simon Head

Cooper: Pleased with performance
"I thought it was a fantastic overall performance today. They (Bournemouth) are a good side and have good movement. We knew they would be a good attacking and passing team. Some of the football to create our chances was excellent. It was a big three points today and it give us a massive boost for the week ahead," the Gills gaffer told the official club website.

Steve Claridge made his Gills debut - and Cooper was more than happy with his new signing, saying, "I thought he (Claridge) did excellent today for us. His experience, and the way he held the ball up, helped Matty Jarvis. The tempo was set by the midfield and they looked tight. Their tempo at closing them down and the back four squeezing up the play was excellent.

"Pouton and Flynn looked sharper, and so did Hessy and Crofty. Ian Cox was superb and Rosey did well, as did Danny Jackman and Chris Hope. They have done their job, and look confident, and Jason Brown playing behind them, he has been excellent."

Cooper singled out winger Matty Jarvis for special praise, saying, "He missed a lot of pre-season with injury. Today, he was excellent. He has been playing catch-up, but he is super-fit. He was unlucky not to get on the score sheet."

"Brent (Sancho) done well considering it has been a long week for him, as he played in America the other day. West Ham have helped us with the loan of Moses (Ashikodi). They are other options for us."

With a busy schedule of matches ahead, Neale Cooper may tweak his lineup for Tuesday's Carling Cup match against Oxford.

"I will look at it, as I have Darren Byfield back. I may give Hessy a rest. You have to have a rest sometimes. 60 or 70 minutes is great from him. It is nice to be in a position to be able to rest players."