Tommy Elphick: captain calm

I was watching the fifth goal go in against Fulham last weekend and was not surprised to see Tommy Elphick as one of the first to go over and congratulate his centre back team mate Steve Cook. You could tell how much it meant to Tommy by the look on his face. I remember a similar moment of exhilaration when Matt Ritchie got the winner away at Wolves - Tommy was looking down at the ground and punching the air knowing that it was another really important three points.

Tommy gets his headers in at Brentford.

Tommy always looks calmness personified when he plays and his emotions always seem well hidden until the team scores when he seems to let it pour out. I am sure he is very vocal in the changing room and does his utmost to get the lads performing at their very best, but you won't see him shout at them too much on the pitch. Mind you there has not been a great deal going wrong for him to shout about thankfully.

Asked if Steve's Cook was a shot or cross he said: "I think it was a shot.. yeah a shot, definite yeah," said Tommy. "I was a little bit annoyed because I faced him up for a one-two but he pied me and went for the shot, but when he sticks it in one of the top bins you can't really complain."

I am pleased that Tommy has manage to keep his place in the starting 11 in front of some stiff competition now from Elliott Ward and Baily Cargill. Much is always said about the tackling and enthusiasm of Steve Cook, but Tommy has also got in his fair amount of blocks and saving tackles this season and he can see now that the Cherries have a great opportunity to go up. He now becomes an even more important player as the last few games get counted down because the players will look to him to amongst others for reassurance and guidance to keep doing the right things.

Tommy will be hoping to get a winners medal
and a trophy in a few weeks time - aim high!