With Bournemouth and Southampton live on BT Sport tonight, it was a perfect chance to view two likely members of the Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 squad. Shane Long faced off against Harry Arter in the south coast derby - and both Irish internationals were singled out for praise before the game by Owen Hargreaves and Harry Redknapp.
Hargreaves in particular was full of praise for Arter, praising almost every aspect of his game - but hoping he'd add more goals to his locker.
He's not a goalscorer, but I think sometimes you need the player for the balance of the team and Harry Arter definitely is that for this Bournemouth team. More box-to-box type you know, he can win a tackle getting across. I think he's a typical Bournemouth midfielder - high energy, good passer of the ball as well.
I think he's very underrated, technically he's a good player and a good link player. He does a good job of linking the play and the midfield with Andrew Surman. I think they provide a good base for this team. Maybe he could just add some more goals to his game. If he can add goals and assists to his game he'd be a real threat.
Redknapp stuck up for Arter a little bit over the lack of goals, and compared him favourably to Arter's brother-in-law Scott Parker. Redknapp was then handed the floor to talk about the in-form Shane Long.
He's got pace, runs in behind people. He's always looking to in behind defenders, he'll stretch defenders.
Hargreaves then used his word of the day, and heaped more praise on Long.
I think he's underrated. He's a terrific header of the ball, he's not the biggest centre forward in the Premier League. I think he scores goals when given the opportunity. He's super quick, he loves running in behind. He's been in terrific goalscoring form.
That's the sort of thing we like to hear.
Unfortunately both players went off injured, but neither look too serious.
