#PLStories- Gary O’Neil pleased with progress of Marcos Senesi #AFCB

The 25-year-old arrived with a good reputation from former club Feyenoord, where he had just helped them reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The centre-back also made his international debut shortly before joining Cherries, featuring for Argentina in the summer of 2022. Senesi was quickly thrust into action by then-boss Scott Parker. He lasted just 45 minutes of his first Premier League start, subbed at the break against Arsenal, before then playing the full contest of the embarrassing 9-0 loss at Liverpool. After two games out of the side in O’Neil’s first games as boss, Senesi was brought back in following an injury to Lloyd Kelly and embarked on a long run in the XI. Fans have begun acknowledging the defender’s performances, voting him as the club’s February player of the month, during which time he also scored his first Cherries goal, in a draw with Newcastle United. Senesi netted again a few weeks after, in the narrow loss at Arsenal, before impressing and keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Asked how he would assess the progress made by Senesi at Cherries this season, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s come on loads. And I don’t want that to sound like he was in a terrible place to start with, he was obviously already a very good footballer that had played for Argentina and had success at Feyenoord. “Just the adaptation to the Premier League was a big one for him. “It was very, very different to where he was. “There was an awful lot of work that went in, him as well being fully committed to it and being happy to engage and try and improve things that he did and tweak certain things. “Obviously he has incredible quality as well. He is willing to put his body on the line, he’s good with the ball. “I expected him to do as well as he has, but there was a lot of work that needed to go in early, just to help him adapt and I agree, I think he’s had a real good time recently. He’s in a good place.” Discussing the recent centre-back partnership between Senesi and Jack Stephens, prior to the 3-0 loss at Aston Villa, O’Neil said: “There are always tough decisions to make. I know there are always a few eyebrows raised, I’m asked questions about it when we’ve changed centre-backs a few times. “I think the first time when we put Marcos and Jack together, there were a few questions around it. “Obviously Meps (Chris Mepham) has done well as well in games when he’s played, Lloydy is back, Illia (Zabarnyi) will be back soon. “There will be big decisions to make. But Jack and Marcos have done really well in the last few games, so, pleased with where they are.”