Joao Pedro Watford
Posted inDaily News

Roberto De Zerbi says he made Joao Pedro ‘mistake’ after loss against Arsenal

April 8, 2024
The Brazil international started on the bench in the 3-0 defeat by Arsenal. De Zerbi put that down to his decision to leave him on for the full game at Brentford after a two-month absence forced by injury. Albion had just gone 2-0 down when he was sent on as a substitute along with Facundo Buonanotte. De Zerbi said: “I made a mistake at Brentford because Joao Pedro couldn’t play in the first XI (on Saturday) because I kept him on the pitch for 90 minutes. “In my head before the Brentford game was to change him after 65 minutes. “But to try to win the game and on the bench there wasn’t another striker, I made a mistake.” Albion have a clear week to plan for their trip to Turf Moor. De Zerbi said: “When we prepare the game with the right time and not every three days we are a completely different team.”
Vincent Kompany
Posted inDaily News

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany’s verdict on Everton defeat

April 8, 2024
The only goal came on the stroke of half time when Aro Muric’s clearance was charged down by Dominic Calvert-Lewis and deflected into the net. Dara O’Shea was sent off in the second half after bringing down Dwight McNeil just over the halfway line. “The letter of the law says he should have been denying a goalscoring opportunity to be sent off and I’ll let you guys make your judgement on that,” said Kompany. “There was a lot of force on the ball and it would be a comfortable pick up for the goalkeeper.” The result leaves the Clarets six points from safety, but Kompany refused to pin the blame on his goalkeeper. “He has to keep going. It is part of being a professional footballer. We all live with the mistakes we make, it happens for everyone in life and in football it is no different,” he added. “Our momentum collapsed twice through moments of our own doing. But I can’t for one second criticise the effort of the team and the idea to come here and play like this.”
Van Hecke
Posted inDaily News

Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke on new contract with the club #BHAFC

December 19, 2023
The Dutch defender stood out at Arsenal, days after signing a new contract with Albion. He has impressed Roberto De Zerbi with his progress and confidence and has become a firm fans’ favourite. Van Hecke told the Argus: “I just try to play every game at my best and tell myself that I need to be better than my last game. “I step on the pitch with a lot of confidence. “I think that’s good but not too much and also be eager to become a better player.” Albion complete a hectic period by tackling Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday. It feels like the sort of ultra-competitive occasion which would be right up the 22-year-old’s street. Van Hecke said: “I haven’t thought too much about it but now we focus on that one. “We know how important it is for the club, for the fans, for the players. “I am really looking forward to it and hopefully we can go there for the win.” Van Hecke and Albion will hope to have more of the game than in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates. He said: “I suppose you look first to yourself but then you also need to look to our opponent and they were really strong. “It’s a top team, maybe one of the best in the world. “I think at times we played some football how we usually do but a lot of times they had us under pressure and they played some good football. “It was a difficult game but in the first half we defended our goal really well so we had good hopes for the second half. “In the first five minutes we had some control but then they scored out of a corner and then a late goal. “We can also score 1-1 with Pascal. “It would not have been deserved but at our place we sometimes draw or lose games and it is also not deserved.”
Adam Smith Bournemouth
Posted inDaily News

Adam Smith reveals AFC Bournemouth ‘totally different’ under Andoni Iraola #AFCB

December 19, 2023
The club made a bold move in the summer to replace Gary O’Neil with the sought-after Iraola, when his contract expired at Rayo Vallecano. Iraola, a former Spain international, spent most of his playing career in Bilbao with Athletic Club, where he made over 500 appearances. Smith recently passed the 350-game milestone at Cherries, with Iraola the seventh different boss he has played under at Dean Court. During his loan spell in 2010-11, the Tottenham Hotspur youngster played for Eddie Howe and then Lee Bradbury. Smith then signed from Spurs permanently in 2014, again under Howe, before going on to feature regularly for Jason Tindall, Jonathan Woodgate, Scott Parker and O’Neil. The 32-year-old has recently enjoyed a run back in the starting XI under Iraola, impressing at right-back having played second fiddle to new signing Max Aarons for much of the campaign. Asked how different things have been on a day-to-day basis since Iraola’s arrival, Cherries’ first ever overseas boss, Smith told the Daily Echo: “Yes, it probably is (completely different). “We are in most days, so there are less days off. Training is still intense but not as hard, but we train mostly every day. “Everything is totally different, so I think that is why I think it took us a bit of time to adapt.” Asked what his initial reaction was when he heard Iraola was being hired to replace O’Neil over the summer, Smith recalled: “It was just a big shock, to be honest, as I’m sure it was for everyone else. “But I read up on him. He played under (Marcelo) Bielsa and it looks like he had a great career as well. “I was definitely excited for him to come in and to work with him.” Iraola spent most of his playing career featuring at right-back, the same position as Smith, before retiring in 2016. “It is good that he has a better understanding of what me and Maxy go through, him playing as a full-back,” said Smith. “He can definitely help us with certain aspects of the game.” Smith has now featured in eight Premier League seasons, having debuted in the competition for Spurs in 2012. In Cherries’ first top-flight campaigns, Smith nailed down his starting spot, rarely missing a fixture, unless injured on suspended. Last season the defender played in 37 of Cherries’ 38 Premier League matches, with his tally in the competition now approaching 200. Discussing the differences he has noticed over the years, Smith said: “Back in the day, you felt like the top five teams had wingers who were dangerous, but now it is every team in the whole league. “The left winger is probably always their best player, if I’m honest! “For me and Maxy it is really tough, with some of the wingers we come up against. “It’s what the Premier League is now, with scouting all over the world, they are bringing the best players here. It is going to be tough every game.” Smith will hope to keep his place when Cherries go to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (3pm).
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted inDaily News

Roberto De Zerbi prepares Brighton to face Marseille after heavy Aston Villa defeat #BHAFC

October 2, 2023
Roberto De Zerbi is lifting his squad following a 6-1 defeat and ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash at Marseille. Albion have time to prepare before flying to the south of France on Wednesday. But there is plenty to do after they were torn apart by, principally, an Ollie Watkins treble. Head coach De Zerbi expects to see “the true Brighton” in France and said of the Villa game: “It may be one of the most important days of our lives and our time in Brighton because the level is changing. “We wanted to reach this level and now we can play, we can compete for the history of our club, for the history of ourself. “We are playing for different things than our football. “If everyone thinks like this, you can find the mental energy to play.” De Zerbi took off Danny Welbeck, Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupinan at half-time but not with thoughts on Marseille. He said: “In my head, there was only Aston Villa. I wanted to change something in that part of the pitch because I thought to change the game.”
Andoni Iraola
Posted inDaily News

AFC Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola on reunion with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta #AFCB

October 2, 2023
Arteta’s Arsenal ended up comfortable 4-0 winners at Vitality Stadium, following goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Ben White. A lot of the build-up to the fixture in the national press and on social media focused on Iraola and Arteta’s shared footballing past, the pair playing in the same Antiguoko team in their native Basque country. Aside from a single game together for Spain’s under-21s, it was the last time the pair crossed paths, prior to this summer’s meeting of all Premier League managers. Asked about the reunion following the game, Iraola responded: “Once the game starts, you forgot about these things. “You focus on the sporting side. I congratulated him and I will just talk to him right now as soon as I finish. “But during the game at the end, you forget about these things and then you can complete it.” Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is also from the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, as well as ex-Wolves manager Julien Lopetegui, who left the Premier League this summer.
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

Hatters duo declared fit for Burnley as Hatters boss Rob Edwards vows to manage injuries #LutonTownFC

October 2, 2023
Watch more of our videos on Shots!and live on Freeview channel 276Visit Shots! nowHatters boss Rob Edwards has been given a selection boost ahead of tomorrow night’s Premier League clash at home to Burnley with both Tom Lockyer and Reece Burke having been declared fit.The pair started Saturday’s 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park, following the half time whistle, Burke didn’t reappear for the second period, replaced by Danish centre half Mads Andersen.Then with 10 minutes gone of the second period, Lockyer was also forced off having taken a blow to the face before the break, his eye starting to swell up fairly badly, Teden Mengi on for his Premier League debut.Tom Lockyer goes off injured against Everton on Saturday - pic: Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesDespite the much-changed back-line, Luton still managed to secure their first three points of the season, but ahead of a home match with a winless Clarets on Tuesday night, there is every chance both will feature, as Edwards said “We’re okay, we had a couple of knocks and made two changes, were forced into a couple of changes at the weekend."Both Burkey and Locks have come through today so that’s good news for us."They’ll be okay, no fresh injury worries from the weekend, so the squad will be the squad that it was from Saturday.”Burke’s stint at Luton has been blighted by injury at times, as in his first two years, he has never begun more than six league games in a row.Saturday was his fifth successive start in the top flight this term, as Edwards knows keeping him fit will be a huge shot in the arm for the Hatters’ chances of staying up, continuing: “His groin was sore, he’s seen a few people over the last couple of days, so he’s all right."It’s just that groin area, but he’s seen someone this morning and got the all-clear, it’s just going to be a little bit sore."He trained today, no problem, so that was a big plus.“He’s been excellent, he’s a really good player and an important player for us as well.”Monitoring the former West Ham United and Hull City centre back will now be key to ensure his body can withstand a full campaign in the Premier League, with Edwards adding: “We don’t want to lose him for a period of time, so it’s just something we’re going to have to manage over the next week or so, get through to the international break and then we can get a little bit of work into him."What he does, he puts every ounce of it into everything, every day."Sometimes you want to say ‘Burkey, just be steady, slow down, just chill out a little bit and manage yourself.’"But I’d rather be doing that and rein people in than kick them up the backside and get them to work hard."He’s just a really good pro and he’s an important player for us.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

Luton skipper elated to achieve the accolade of becoming a Premier League goalscorer #LutonTownFC

October 2, 2023
Watch more of our videos on Shots!and live on Freeview channel 276Visit Shots! nowHatters skipper Tom Lockyer was understandably elated to earn an accolade he never thought was possible, becoming a Premier League goalscorer when netting Town's opener in their 2-1 win at Everton on Saturday.The 28-year-old hasn’t been known for his scoring record during the majority of his career, far from it in fact, with 15 goals in 435 club matches.He managed just seven in seven years at Bristol Rovers, on target in the Conference, League Two, League One and the Checkatrade Trophy, before notching once for Charlton in his 43 Championship outings for the Addicks.Signing for Luton in September 2020, the Wales international again had to wait a while to wheel away in celebration, on target in a 2-1 success over Bristol City in January 2022.Last term, Lockyer opened his account in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Newport County, also scoring in the 1-1 draw at Coventry in the league.He then finished the campaign with the most prolific run of his career to date, with three goals in his last five starts, although the fifth saw him replaced inside 10 minutes after collapsing on the pitch during the play-off final at Wembley.Thankfully making a full recovery, Lockyer started his fifth top flight match for Luton at Goodison Park on Saturday, putting a glorious chance over the bar when meeting Alfie Doughty’s corner, but there was no stopping him on 24 minutes.Tom Lockyer's disappointment at missing this header didn't last too long as he opened the scoring at Goodison Park on Saturday - pic: Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesAnother Doughty delivery saw Carlton Morris’s header rebound off the bar, with the centre half showing fantastic determination to slide in and deflect Ashley Young’s clearance into the net to put the Hatters in front for the first time this season.Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Being a Premier League goalscorer is something you dream of and you don't think will ever happen, but what an accolade."It's special but it's a team game and a first Premier League win brings a buzz in the changing rooms."We'll enjoy it and you just hope it gives everyone a taste and they want more now.”Team-mate Morris was quick to praise his close friend as well, saying: “No matter which box he’s in he just can’t help blocking and tackling it into the net, so he’s doing it in the right way!”With most pundits writing the Hatters’ chance of staying up off before a ball was even kicked this year, Lockyer, who had to go off early in the second half due to an eye injury, was thrilled to show them that Town mean business in their attempts to remain a top flight club.He added: “There’s a lot of people been saying a lot of things, so it’s nice to try and silence them a little bit and get the first win on the board."It feels really good but we need to try and back that up as well, we want to try and push on as well.”
Vincent Kompany
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany on upcoming Manchester United test #BurnleyFC

September 22, 2023
United lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night to continue an early-season slump which has already seen them lose three of their opening five Premier League fixtures. With off-field issues also mounting for Ten Hag, the pressure will be on United to deliver a result at Turf Moor, but Kompany is interested only in his own players. “I only try and assess (United) in a way that I need to do for my team, their strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “I’ve been in a big club before and I know what it is when you lose a couple of games. Pressure can mount but it’s not for me to talk about them. I focus on the pitch… “We’re not busy with what is happening at the other team, that doesn’t concern us. I have to myself manage the results of our team and the performances. “I think we’re a calm camp, we’re at a place where we feel there is something really exciting ahead of us and we want to build on that moment. Everything that happens elsewhere is not our concern.” Kompany is looking to build on the positive signs shown in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, Burnley’s first point of the season and one that could have been all three but for a contentious VAR decision that ruled out Lyle Foster’s late strike for a handball by Sander Berge. After three consecutive home defeats to Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham, the draw was a welcome step forward. “We’ve had three games against three of the top eight sides in the league and the gap has always been there,” Kompany said. “Against Forest we felt we were on an even playing field. Now it’s up to us to close the gap to the teams at the top. “I’m really looking forward to this game to see if we’ve made those steps forward. I really believe in the attacking threat in our team in terms of being able to create something and I hope that shows on Saturday.” Although Burnley’s first season back in the top flight began with three straight home games – a situation caused by the postponement of their trip to Luton in August – they were thrown in at the deep end, with the reigning champions first to visit before Villa and Spurs. Even given United’s troubles, Saturday’s 8pm kick-off appears no easier, and Kompany knows his side need to deliver more consistency over the course of a full match. “I really want (Turf Moor) to become a difficult place for any team to come,” he said. “At this moment in time when we have played against teams of the calibre of United it’s fair to say we haven’t been able to put in a 100-minute performance. “We’ve always had a threat, good spells, but we’ve got punished in spells when we weren’t at our best. “For us it’s looking at this game and saying, ‘Can we step it up and get a result against one of the best teams in the league?’. Burnley will need to do that without Foster, who has scored two of their four Premier League goals so far this season. The South African saw red late on at the City Ground on Monday and starts a three-game suspension. “We’ve built a decent squad and there’s a few players I’d like to see anyway,” Kompany said. “It’s for someone else now to step into those shoes, give it their own flavour and hopefully it pays off on the day.”
Milos Kerkez
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Milos Kerkez explains reasoning behind joining AFC Bournemouth #AFCB

July 21, 2023
Cherries parted with a reported £15.5million to bring the Hungarian left-back to Vitality Stadium, swooping in after it seemed Kerkoz was close to joining Champions League outfit Lazio. Having already worn the famous red and black of AC Milan, the 19-year-old will wear the same colours on the south coast next season. Discussing the move with afcb.co.uk, Kerkez shared: “It's a really warm welcome and I'm really happy and delighted to be here, also my family's, so I'm really, really happy. “We got in touch with Bournemouth and I feel the kind of respect the club and the people showed us, really, that was the big part of me coming here, so was a few busy days, but now that I'm finally here, I'm really happy and excited.”Born in what is now Serbia but opting to play for Hungary internationally, Kerkez believes all young footballers dream of playing in the Premier League. He continued: “It was a big decision, but really, since I was a kid, I believe everyone dreams of playing in the best league in the world. “That’s the Premier League and to have opportunity to come to a club like Bournemouth is a big thing. So I'm really, really happy to be here. “Like I said, really, the respect that me and my family got, really from Bournemouth, the people, they came to visit us at home to talk to us about the project, about the plan, and that was the big thing for me and my family to decide to come here.” Cherries swapped head coaches in June, with rookie boss Gary O’Neil dismissed when highly-rated Andoni Iraola became available. LONG READ: AFC Bournemouth moving away from pragmatism towards ideals with Iraola Iraola’s style of play was another big part of Kerkez’s decision to join Cherries. He restarted: “The coach has a big impact on my move to come here. “He comes from the Spanish League, so also, his philosophy, I like it. “The club's philosophy, his philosophy, I love it. “And that's what makes me come here now.”    
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony on league cup victory over Everton #AFCB

November 9, 2022
STARLET Jaidon Anthony revealed how Cherries had worked on being more attacking to see out games after helping his steer past Everton 4-1 in the League Cup. Cherries have slipped to consecutive defeats in the Premier League after taking two-goal leads against Tottenham Hotspur and then Leeds United, with the side perceived by some as sitting deeper and inviting pressure. Once again the Dorset outfit found themselves with a two-goal lead, Jamal Lowe’s deflected opener added to by Junior Stanislas’ poke early in the second-half. When Demarai Gray’s perfect curler found the back of the net to cut the deficit, there were fears of a similar capitulation, but Cherries rallied again, Emi Marcondes tapping home before Anthony made sure of their progression to round four. Asked by the Daily Echo if Cherries had looked to attack further after taking two-goal leads, Anthony responded: “Yes, that's been the focus really, in the week. “Obviously, we've been in good positions in the past few games and we want to keep going and keep pushing. “I think we've been playing well, and it's easy to try and hold on to what you have. “But we didn't want to do that too early and give them a foot in the game. “And what they scored, it was still the same message, to keep attacking. “And we created openings and got the goals that we wanted to finish off the game.” All four of Cherries’ goalscorers have been somewhat bit-part players this season. Youngster Anthony revealed how the lack of gametime amongst the nine changes for the cup tie served as motivation. He continued: “We were all raring to go. “A lot of players that haven't got a lot of minutes this season and in the end, I think it's a top performance from everyone. “We deserved the win. “Everyone wants to be playing at the end of the day. That's what we all want to do. “And this is an opportunity to get some minutes in the legs and show what we can do. “I think everyone gave a good account of themselves. “I'm proud of everyone.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil proud of ‘deserved’ win by Cherries in League cup #AFCB

November 9, 2022
GARY O’Neil says his much-changed Cherries side produced a “performance they could be proud of” as they swept aside Everton 4-1 to progress into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Goals from Jamal Lowe, Junior Stanislas, Emiliano Marcondes and Jaidon Anthony secured safe passage through in the cup, cancelling out Demarai Gray’s fine effort for the visitors. It ensured Cherries ended their recent four-game losing run, which has including collapses from two goals up to suffer defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. Asked how much of a boost it was to get the victory on the back of a poor run of results, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I wasn’t thinking about the other games. “I was purely focused on this one and the boys deserved the victory. “They put in a really good performance. So I’m really pleased for them. “Obviously some of them have come from not having played very much from longer-term injuries. It was great to get some minutes into them and great for them to put in a performance they could be proud of.” Discussing the way the side responded to the 4-3 loss at Elland Road, O’Neil added: “That was a gut-puncher for Saturday evening and then we switched to this. “Winning tonight was always going to be big, whether we’d won on Saturday or not. “I think the nature of it, if I look back over the last few games, the way the boys have carried out the gameplan, the detail of the gameplan. To go a goal down at Elland Road and to show the quality and the belief in the gameplan to carry it out perfectly and get 3-1 up is a big achievement. “I think to be 2-0 up against Antonio Conte’s Spurs is a big achievement. “And we spoke the last few days about making sure we managed the end of the game better. And the boys got a great test this evening. To be 2-0 up and it to go to 2-1 was a real test for them. “I was interested on the sideline! “Very calm, but just interested to say okay, we spoke about this for a couple of days, we know it’s something we need to improve, what a great test. They saw it out really well.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil praises rotated side for League Cup win #AFCB

November 9, 2022
GARY O’Neil believes Cherries’ rotated squad proved his point about how all his players are “equally as important to me”. The interim boss made nine changes for Cherries’ 4-1 win over Everton in the League Cup, with all four goalscorers drafted in from the cold to make an impact. Jamal Lowe made his first start of the season, opening the scoring in the first-half, whilst fellow fringe players Junior Stanislas, Emi Marcondes and Jaidon Anthony all struck in the second-half. O’Neil has been constant in his messaging surrounding players seemingly outside the first-team picture, stressing how he could rely on every member of his squad when called upon. He told the Daily Echo: “I always say the same about them, they’re all very, very important to me. “I’ve said that from day one. I know people may believe me, may not. “They’re all equally as important to me. “That shows this evening. I knew they could perform.” With sweeping changes made and starts handed to players with little game time, there could potentially be the risk of a lack of cohesion. However, Cherries were in control for large swathes of the game. “So when I spoke to them before the game, it was like, I expect to be exactly as it always is,” explained the former Portsmouth midfielder. “Because we’ve made changes, it makes no difference. It needs to look like us. “It needs to be high intensity, we need to be good with the ball. “There was so many of them that came out with so much credit.” Cherries are in action against the same opponents this weekend, when they again host Everton at the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 3pm). This time three points are the prize for a victory, with the two sides one point and one place apart in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Eddie Howe reflects on leaving AFC Bournemouth #AFCB

November 8, 2022
EDDIE Howe revealed how he would have departed Cherries no matter the outcome of their 2019-20 campaign, saying: “I think it was time.” Cherries legend Howe called time on his second spell as manager at the Vitality Stadium following relegation from the Premier League in the summer of 2020. The fan favourite had won promotion to the Championship in his first season back on the south coast in 2013, before taking Cherries to a new high by winning the second division title in 2015. A five-year stint in the Premier League followed, with Howe departing after being unable to prevent Cherries slipping back into the Championship. Shortly after relegation was confirmed, it was announced Howe would be leaving his childhood club. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Howe revealed that even if Cherries had beaten the drop he would have departed. He shared: “I think it was time. I knew that season that it had taken every ounce of energy from me to try and keep the team up. "There was a moment in my head that I just knew. “I knew I had to leave at the end of that season, because I think there was a two-week break because of COVID. “So two weeks, the lads were back in for pre-season training, and I wasn’t there mentally. I would not have been the manager Bournemouth needed me to be. “But if that was the case with Bournemouth, that would have been the case with anybody else. “I just needed to get away. It was a mutual decision, we had such a good relationship and such an unbelievable time together. We sat down and I discussed my feelings and it was mutual. “It was hard decision when football is my life, but also Bournemouth was my life.  But I always felt in my heart that I had to do what was right for Bournemouth, not for me. “Which was absolutely true at the time, I was thinking of both sides of it. “My history with Bournemouth, and not just the club but my history with the town, my time there was intertwined with everything.”  
Marcus Tavernier
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Marcus Tavernier admits they can’t keep have teams keep coming back against them #AFCB

November 8, 2022
GOALSCORER Marcus Tavernier could not hide his disappointment after his stellar display at Elland Road went unrewarded, insisting: “We can’t let this keep happening.” Tavernier scored his first Cherries goal and also provided two assists as Cherries went 3-1 up against Leeds United on Saturday. But the hosts battled back, eventually completing the turnaround in the 84th minute to win 4-3 and leave Gary O’Neil’s men facing up to a fourth straight loss. It was also the second week in succession Cherries had squandered a two-goal cushion to lose, having also done the same against Tottenham Hotspur. “I’m just devastated,” Tavernier told the Daily Echo after the loss at Elland Road. “We can’t let this keep happening where we feel like we’re in control of the game, we’ve got a two-goal cushion. “It’s happened back-to-back weeks now where we’ve been in that lead and we’ve let ourselves down. We have to really focus on defensive work this week and keeping the ball out the back of the net.” Asked there was a similar feeling on the pitch at Leeds as in the closing stages against Spurs, Tavernier added: “You don’t feel it on the pitch. I still felt like we were in control of the game. “I feel like we conceded sloppy goals and I can only say we weren’t good enough. “That’s all I can say right now. I’m sure the staff will pinpoint the areas that we need to work on and we really do need to fix up on this area of our game, because it’s happened. “Although we’ve played well, it doesn’t mean anything when you don’t get any points on the board.” Cherries impressed for the first hour of the contest, scoring three goals and also creating further chances to add to their tally. “I can’t pin this all on our defensive side of the game,” said Tavernier. “We had some other chances which we could’ve scored and us attackers, we have to put the ball in the back of the net. “That’s our job. I feel like we had a couple of chances where we could’ve done that. “It’s a team one to take and we can all look at ourselves in the mirror and really have a look at ourselves and see where we need to improve.” Having failed to record a goal or assist prior to the game against Tottenham, Tavernier now has three assists to his name as well as a goal in the past two fixtures. “Obviously it’s a bittersweet moment scoring my first goal in the league,” said the versatile midfielder. “At the end of the day, we haven’t got any points on the board and I can’t be happy right now. “All I can do is focus on next week, because we do really need to change the way we’re going into games and our performances on the pitch. “We need to be putting points on the board because we can’t afford to be letting teams get back in the game. Because at this magnitude and in this league, it’s just unacceptable.” Cherries now face two matches against Everton before the six-week World Cup break. The Toffees head to Vitality Stadium tomorrow in the Carabao Cup, before returning in the Premier League on Saturday. “We need to put as many points on the board before that break comes,” said Tavernier, with Cherries now sitting 17th in the table, just one point outside the relegation zone. “That’s what we’re working to do. I’m just disappointed, so, so gutted that we couldn’t do that (on Saturday) when we were so comfortable in the game, then it just slips out of our fingers. “I don’t know what to really say.” He added: “The beauty of it is we have a game with a quick turnaround. “We have to go into that showing a different side to our game. “We really need to prove to everyone that we can stay in this league and it’s a great opposition to do it against as they’re another Premier League team, so we need to be fighting and ready to go for that game.”