The morning started with a few bits and pieces to sort, emails to go through, before I headed up to the club’s training base for around midday, ahead of a couple of scheduled chats in the afternoon.
Up first was new signing Alvaro Rodriguez, whose English is improving very quickly, I’m told, and we had an excellent chat about his background and coming into the club this summer.
Then, I spoke to James Hill which was another brilliant interview.
I’ve spoken to Hilly a fair few times in the past six or seven months, since he came into the team at Brentford.
I’ve really noticed his confidence grow when speaking to the media, which I think has reflected his confidence on the pitch, too, as he becomes a key part of the Bournemouth team.
He’s clearly a central part of Marco Rose’s plans, based on how he has spoken about the centre back, and it was interesting discussing what has been a bit of a whirlwind for Hill in recent months.
He also got married this summer and is days away from becoming a father, so exciting times in the Hill family!
After that, I cycled back to my Airbnb to write things up, and I sorted a story on Junior Kroupi going through surgery on a foot injury.
That was disappointing news for Cherries fans, as it’ll see him ruled out for three to four months, but it will, at least, hopefully stop any further rumours about his departure, although the club were always confident of keeping him this season.
I popped out for some dinner following that, at a Chinese restaurant in Saalfelden, before returning to write up the speedway report as Pirates absolutely smashed Berwick 60-30.
That was an excellent result that really keeps their momentum going in the Championship – seven meetings unbeaten and closing in on Scunthorpe at the top of the league, and some good revenge after the Bandits knocked them out of the cup.
Tomorrow will be yet another very busy day – it’s matchday once again as the Cherries face Augsburg.
Keep an eye on the Bournemouth Echo website tomorrow for my James Hill interview, with the Rodriguez piece to come later in the week.
Plus, follow live coverage of the Augsburg game from the Saalfelden Arena in our blog from around 1.30pm, UK time.
