INTERIM head coach Gary O’Neil insists Cherries’ squad “have enough to be competitive at this level”, despite what former boss Scott Parker said over the weekend. Asked after the game if he agreed with Parker that this current squad was not sufficient to compete in the Premier League,
Gary O’Neil said: “As a group, they’re the most honest, hard-working, together, relentless group that I’ve ever been involved with. Even in my playing career. You can throw everything at them and they’ll never quit. I think we have enough to be competitive at this level, yes. Holding on for the point obviously was big. But I don’t think it was even the point. I think it was the togetherness and the performance and how hard they work and how they dug in together that gives them a real feeling of satisfaction and that they have achieved something together, from a tough place at the weekend that wasn’t easy for anybody. I’ve been there as a player, you go through moments that are tough. The good thing with football is you always get a chance to respond in the next game. It was key that we did and we’ve started that. My underlying feeling is really proud of what they’ve given out there. I’ve only been with them a day and a bit and asked them to produce something like and them to manage to produce it, I’m very proud of what they produced.”
