INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil joked that he was “not sure” if all of his charges liked him – even if he loves “all of them”. Former Portsmouth midfielder O’Neil has become a popular figure amongst the Cherries fanbase following an unbeaten streak of six games since replacing Scott Parker on a caretaker basis at the end of August. Cherries twice led against Fulham at the weekend, first-half goals from Dominic Solanke and Jefferson Lerma pegged back by Issa Diop and a Aleksander Mitrovic penalty. Despite the public displays of support from senior players,
Gary O’Neil said: “I’m not sure they all like me! I love all of them, they’re all massive to me. All 25 that I can use, maybe 26, they’re all massive to me. I mean, I’m gutted when some of them don’t get to come on the pitch because the game goes that way. They’re all so important to me. They’ve all got things that we’re definitely going to need at some point.”
When asked if he believed if his side were the hardest working in the Premier League, O’Neil would not be drawn on making outright claims, instead suggesting that they would “give everything” until “someone tells them to stop”.
Gary O Neil said: “I don’t know enough about the other teams. I know that this group will give me everything. They’ll give whoever they’re playing for everything. They’ll fully commit to the gameplan, and they won’t stop until someone tells them to stop. And that’s a big quality that we’re going to need this season.”
Cherries are next in action on Wednesday evening, when they host neighbours Southampton at the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).
