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'Incredible journey' has led to 'dream' European nights - Hill
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- 'Incredible journey' has led to 'dream' European nights - Hill
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Bournemouth defender James Hill says the "clear information" given to the players as part of Marco Rose's training regime means decision-making on the ball is "much easier".
Rose said recently that on his day Hill is "one of the best defenders in England" but hinted he could make improvements with the ball at his feet.
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Asked what he had been doing to improve his in-possession play, Hill said: "There's so many different things from last year and this year. It's about maintaining the football as well as being on the front foot defending.
"In this modern era a lot of defenders have to be good with the ball as well. The way the training sessions are adapted and laid out to us as players and the clear information we get given going into matchdays makes it a lot easier for us to make decisions on the ball."
The Cherries are enjoying a dream start to their first ever European campaign, winning three from three so far. Hill, signed from Fleetwood Town for a reported £1m fee in January 2022, is relishing the journey.
"It's been incredible," the 24-year-old added.
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"Most important thing is we have to continue being the best version of us going into Thursday.
"But, it's been an incredible journey. I think as a boy growing up you imagine playing in these nights and it's a dream for every player to have the opportunity to play in Europe. It's an incredible journey so far but we just have to continue the hard work."
Rose's side could also equal the club record if they keep a seventh consecutive clean sheet against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening.
"We've been really good defensively so far and also been clinical at the other end of the pitch," said Hill.
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"We're defending really well as a full team. There's been a lot of players coming in and out of the team because we've got so many games and every single one of them have been ready for that moment. To have those clean sheets gives us massive confidence going into the games and we have to continue that."
