GOALKEEPER Neto believes Cherries “have a great opportunity to have a good season” – but only if they keep going. One time Brazil international Neto is yet to taste defeat since joining Cherries, helping his new club to shootout success in the League Cup over Norwich before being parachuted into Gary O’Neil’s side for five games in the Premier League, in which Cherries remain unbeaten under their interim boss. The former Barcelona and Juventus man is expected to start in between the sticks for Cherries when they travel to Fulham tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
Neto said: “I am happy with the results. I am very competitive and don’t like to lose and we are in a good moment, so we have to keep going. We are working with a lot of intensity and the mentality is very positive. We are a good unit. Fulham will be a very difficult game. We know they need the result and we need the result. They came from the Championship as well and we both want to stay in the Premier League. We have to be focused, have to keep going and have to keep pushing and if we do that, we have a chance of a good result.”
Brought to the club when Scott Parker was still head coach, Neto had to bide his time on the sidelines, with Mark Travers the preferred number one at the start of the season. However, following the change in management, Neto found himself foisted into the starting XI for the visit of Wolves, keeping a clean sheet on his Premier League debut.
Neto said: “This is football and everything can change in a minute. The guys were prepared for it, and I am happy for Gary O’Neil because it was important he got some positive results. We have to keep working and we can do great things. Me and Junior (Stanislas) are the most experienced guys in the dressing room, and I enjoy it because it is the first time for me and I am happy to help the team and the club. We have a great opportunity to have a good season.”