Every single Bournemouth player was fully invested when manager Scott Parker delivered an incredible dressing room speech during their promotion decider against Nottingham Forest.
With the game level at 0-0 following a cagey opening 45 minutes, a cool, calm, collected Parker sat down alongside his players to deliver a powerful message as they bid for automatic promotion.
Things soon got passionate when the former Charlton, Chelsea and West Ham midfielder spoke about the game's emotion. After a two-year absence from the Premier League, a rallying cry was needed. He did exactly that.
It may have been a "basketball match" in the first half, according to Parker, but a refreshed, invigorated Bournemouth side turned up in the second period.
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Steve Cooper's side struggled to create many chances after the break and in the 83rd minute, Kieffer Moore scored his 10th goal of the season after a magnificent free-kick routine.
It was enough to send Bournemouth back to the Premier League. "We deserve it," Parker said after the full-time whistle. "Our aim was to get promoted and we have done it. I thought we were incredible in the second half."
So what was said in the dressing room at half-time?
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Here is a breakdown of Parker's speech, featuring a lot of praise but some key areas to improve.
"Do not let this become an emotional game," he says. "I said at the start lads, they have got it all to do. Not us. Not us boys. They have. So understand it. Be brave in our moments. Manage the game at times as well as understand at times we're going to have to go long. That's not a problem at all if their press is right.
"But understand as well lads, the front five in this team, in our team, in my team, are deadly against their team. So get them in the foot race, get it into our feet, be creative in and around the box. Then, in the other side of the game, do it to a tee like you have and we go again. Let's go.
"I said before lads about the thought of what this day will bring. More importantly, I've said it was from the start about the work we do, and everything we've done. And to a man boys, not just tonight, I'm very proud of every single one of you. Very, very proud of every single one of you. And you deserve everything you get. You deserve everything you get.
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"Why? Because I see a group of players that come in every day and give us everything. And when you do that, like I've always said to you boys, you have a chance in life. You've earned the right lads. You've earned your moment. I can't thank you enough. I can't be more proud of you lads.
One more thing I want. The song we go out to, can we put it on... I want to see it bouncing boys!"
Topics: Scott Parker, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, bournemouth, championship
