Groves: Competition is healthy

AFC Bournemouth manager Paul Groves believes the competition between Flahavan and Jalal is healthy.

One of the main talking points on the pitch during the 2011/12 season was the decision by former manager Lee Bradbury to select Darryl Flahavan ahead of Dean Court favourite Shwan Jalal.

In the midst of a contract dispute by Jalal, the two competed for a place during pre-season and Flahavan was given the number one shirt ahead of the start of the new season.

During the season Flahavan impressed in goal, especially during the Cherries purple patch which saw the side climb from the relegation places to towards the play-off spots.

Jalal eventually signed a new contract at Dean Court, but spent the second half of the season recovering from an operation to cure a herniated disc and was rewarded for his hard work by playing the final two games of the season.

Groves told the Daily Echo...

"We see competition for places and two experienced goalkeepers that will be competing for the one spot.

"That is healthy and that is what you want in all the positions - quality players fighting for the one place...'

'...You want those types of decisions rather than the decision being made for you because you have only got one and don`t have any choice."

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