AFC Bournemouth-Club | EPL24x7

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on ‘really poor’ loss at Crystal Palace #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 14, 2023

Cherries were beaten 2-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to two goals from Eberechi Eze. Reflecting on the defeat, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “We were really poor today. I think we dropped below our level for the first time in a while. From a human point of view, 39 points is a good tally. “But a good lesson for everybody involved that if we’re not desperate and we’re not at 120 per cent like we have been recently and fighting for every single ball and every single point and you drop your levels slightly against a good Crystal Palace side, you get well beaten.” He added: “We struggled with the ball, struggled physically any time there was any duels or the ball was loose. Crystal Palace were better at that. “And then when the game goes that way and you give them enough situations that suit them, one-v-ones with (Wilfried) Zaha and Eze and (Michael) Olise, they’re a good side, they’ve got fantastic players. “We didn’t manage to stamp our way and didn’t find a way to cause them any issues. So it was a disappointing afternoon. “As I said to the players before these four games since we’ve been on 39 points, if you lose, they still feel terrible. “It does, so we need to make sure that we use this today to ensure that the next two don’t look anything like that.” Cherries round off their season with a home game against Manchester United next Saturday, before a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on planning for next season as relegation survival is confirmed #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 13, 2023

Cherries’ fantastic April form has taken them away from danger, with nine points separating them from the relegation zone with three to play. A point at Selhurst Park tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) would mathematically confirm their spot in next season's Premier League. Whilst Cherries seem all but safe, O’Neil wants his side to make sure of their top-flight status. He shared: “We've got 39 points, and 39 should be enough, but until it's done, the longer it goes, the more nervous you can start to feel again. “So let's get it done officially as soon as we can, take care of it ourselves on Saturday with a point or three, and then importantly for me, the performance and trying to put a few things right that we've suffered with recently. “The main focus is getting points tomorrow, definitely, but of course, if we were on 29 points going into tomorrow's game, there would have been 100 per cent focus. “Like, we have to take something from this game, whereas now there is we are desperate to take something from this game, but next season is coming and there are things that we can start to put in place.” O’Neil has already identified the area needing the biggest improvement, with Cherries’ poor record at set pieces highlighted. He continued: “There's been a big thing made about defensive set plays and the amount of goals we've conceded, so it has to improve by next season. “Sometimes difficult to change that in a short period of time. “Next season will come and we can't concede as many goals next season from set plays as we have this season, defending the penalty area, crosses and things. “So, a lot of work this week on trying to move things on, whereas maybe if the situation was different, maybe we'd have held off on that till the summer.” Premier League prize money is distributed in such a way that the difference between final positions is worth around £3million, with O’Neil sharing: “I'm well aware of how important it is that we finish as high as possible, but there's probably £200 million at stake next year for trying to stay up again as well. “Things that we can do now that can help us as we look at next season as well. “As always, a real focus on this game and what it needs to look like from us, but because of the work that the lads managed to do, we do come into the last few games of the season with less pressure on every result. “We can go into games, we can start to add things, maybe things that I've wanted to add that we haven't been able to because of the nature of the next game being another cup final and every point being so precious. “So the next few weeks does give us a little bit more freedom to have a look at some things as well as try and get results.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke on finding form at right time #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 12, 2023

A return of 15 points from seven games in April has seen Cherries all but confirm their place in next season's Premier League, with an nine-point gap over the bottom three with three games remaining. Solanke himself was in fine form during last month, scoring three goals and assisting three more as he was nominated for the Premier League player of the month award. Appearing on Match of the Day X, Solanke shared: “The main goal was to stay in the Premier League. “We’re pretty much there now, which is good, but when you get to that point of the season, you just know that it's like now or never. “So I think everyone's done their work, the players, the management staff, the staff behind the scenes, everyone's just come together. “We hit form at the right time. Towards the end is where you want to be on form. And we found that.” After a heart-breaking late loss at then league leaders Arsenal, Cherries returned to Vitality Stadium and defeated one of Solanke’s former clubs, Liverpool. “That Liverpool win was a massive one for us,” restarted the former Liverpool and Chelsea man. “Obviously, beating a team of that stature just gives us ultimate confidence, really.” Joint leading goalscorer with Phil Billing on seven goals, Solanke has also turned into a key provider for his teammates, setting up a further seven. “I think my game has always been like that,” he continued. “Obviously, being a striker, everyone always looks at the goals, but not many people really look at the other side of the game. “I think my game is a lot more than just goals. I think I bring a lot to the team, and especially this season, that shows that in the amount of assists I've managed to rack up.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’ Neil reveals that AFC Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma is undecided on future at the club #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 12, 2023

Sources close to the player have told the Daily Echo that he has doubts on leaving Cherries due to a strong affection he holds for both the club and fanbase. A club record signing, Lerma arrived at Vitality Stadium in the summer of 2018 for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million from then La Liga outfit Levante. With his contract expiring this summer, the 28-year-old has been free to discuss a pre-contract with clubs outside of England since January. After reportedly making no headway in earlier talks over an extension, negotiations between Cherries and Lerma's representatives were seemingly paused to focus on the clubs’ bid for survival. As it appears Cherries have all but confirmed their Premier League status for a second successive season, there is now an opportunity for talks to restart. Speaking on Lerma’s future at the start of May, head coach Gary O’Neil commented: “No decision made at the moment, as far as I'm aware, so hopefully he'll be here. “Jeff's a great guy, so incredible around the place, incredible around the group, especially if you're in a relegation battle when you need to get in the trenches. “And me, Jeff, the club, have been fully focused on that up until this moment. “I think you've seen in Jeff's performances that there was just no doubt that he was fully committed to the cause. “Now that the relegation stuff is all but beyond us, then hopefully we can start to put something in place where he stays, but no confirmation either way.” Whilst the Daily Echo understands that there are numerous European clubs that have made proposals to the midfielder, no agreement has been reached with any side. In March, Lerma told Spanish outlet AS.com that he was open to a return to Spain, but while Spanish clubs have enquired into the availability of the Colombian international, they are unable to match the potential wages on offer in the Premier League. Although teams based in England must wait until the expiry of a player’s contract before making an official offer, there are also numerous Premier League clubs that have registered an interest in Lerma. Reportedly London clubs West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Fulham are keen on Lerma. Since arriving from Spain, the Colombian has made 181 appearances for Cherries, the majority of which have come in the top-flight. One of the first names on the team sheet under five different bosses, many expected Lerma to depart Dean Court when Cherries were relegated from the Premier League in 2020. However, the former Atletico Huila man remained at Cherries, helping them to a return to the first tier at the second attempt last season. At the age of 28, Lerma is regarded to be in his prime, with the likelihood that his next contract will be his last chance of a financially lucrative deal.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil happy with progress of Jaidon Anthony #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 11, 2023

It has been a rapid rise for the 23-year-old, who just three years ago was out on loan at non-league Weymouth, helping them clinch promotion from the sixth tier. The talented winger played a bit-part role for Cherries the following campaign, before starring under Scott Parker in the Championship last season. Anthony missed just one league game in 2021-22, starting 38 of the 46 fixtures, providing eight goals and six assists. With the arrival of Marcus Tavernier, Anthony has found starts harder to come by this term under O’Neil, but has still played a big role. The former Arsenal youngster has played 27 Premier League matches in his first year at this level, starting 10. He has netted three league goals and provided an assist. With his contract winding down, Anthony penned a new deal in February of this year, which runs until the summer of 2027. “I think he’s had a very successful first Premier League season,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo, when asked about Anthony. “Last season was obviously an incredible success for him, from the journey that he’d been on through youth set-ups and academy, to come into a team trying to get promoted and to have the impact that he did was incredible. “To take that on again this year and record some decent numbers around assists and goal involvements and chances created that he has, still shows his quality every day.” Previously seen as one of Cherries’ main attacking outlets, Anthony has at times this season been utilised as a wing-back, adding more defensive responsibility to his game. “I don’t see us using him overly differently,” said O’Neil, discussing Anthony’s role on the pitch compared to his time in the Championship. “Of course, we’ve been at the different end of the league, which means we have a little bit more defending to do than we did last season. “And then occasionally, you’re right, we lost Tav for a long spell and I do like someone being able to do that role within the squad where you’re attacking player, but you have some sort of responsibility to sometimes turn us into a back four-and-a-half type thing, which Tav is very good at and Dango (Ouattara) is also very good at and Jaidon was used in that a few times. “He’s so diligent, so hard-working and then still brings you the quality going forward that he has no problem with it. “I’m sure if you ask him, after the end of the season, when he’s reflected, he’ll be really happy with the first season that he’s had in the Premier League, because it’s a tough step up. “I expect more from him again in the next few weeks and especially next season.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke on defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 8, 2023

Frank Lampard picked up his first win as interim boss at the seventh attempt at the Vitality on Saturday, Conor Gallagher’s opener for the away side cancelled out by Matias Vina’s sublime effort in the first half before Chelsea snatched the points late on with goals from Benoit Badiashille and Joao Felix. Solanke started his career with the Blues, coming through their Cobham academy to make one first team appearance for the club, a cameo off the bench against Maribor in the Champions League. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Solanke shared: “It was a good game. “A top club, a lot of great players and we knew that they would change their fortunes and get a win at some point. “Obviously we didn't want it to be (against us), but I think we gave them a good game and just conceded two late goals which killed us a bit, but we could have definitely got something from the game. “We're not going to score every chance. “We had some good chances today that we didn't take, and they managed to take a couple late on. “But that's just football. There's still a lot of positives we can take, but it's never nice to lose in a game. “So we'll look back and try to get a win next week.” With Cherries all but safe, there might be the suggestion that Cherries have nothing to play for with three games remaining. However, Solanke reiterated that the side were just as disappointed at losing a dead-rubber as they were earlier on in the campaign, with confidence remaining high. He continued: “I think how we've been playing recently and the results we've been picking up, we're full of confidence. “Even after the game, even though we've had such a great spell and pretty much safe, there's still disappointment in there. “But I think that shows the character of our team that we believe we can go out there and win against anyone at the moment. “So, it was an unfortunate defeat, but we'll dust down and go again next week.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on lack of penalty given against Chelsea #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 7, 2023

With the scores level at 1-1 following Mati Vina’s stunning equaliser that cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s opener, there was a hearty shout from Cherries for a penalty in the 67th minute. Striker Dominic Solanke appeared to have nipped in ahead of Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, knocking the ball past the Brazilian before being taken out. Late goals from Benoit Badiashile and substitute Joao Felix swung the game in the Blues’ favour for their first win in seven games. Whilst the incident was checked by Video Assistant Referee David Coote, there was not deemed to be a clear and obvious error made by on field ref John Brooks in not deciding to not point to the spot, the key criteria for overturning decisions. Cherries are the only side in the Premier League yet to be awarded a spot-kick, whilst Chelsea have managed to avoid giving a single penalty away this campaign. Asked for his thoughts on the incident, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought it was a tight one. “I thought Thiago Silva doesn't get the ball, so Dom manages to take a touch before he gets there. “But Dom does take his touch backwards. So it looks maybe different to some that we're used to seeing, where the forward takes his touch forwards. “Then there is a bit of contact between Silva and Dom. So technically maybe a foul. “Outside the penalty area, maybe a foul, but the fact that it wasn't given on field meant it was obviously never going to be overturned. “So, yeah, we'd have probably needed that one to being given and then it maybe would have been upheld. “But, yeah, no real complaints. I thought it was one that it could it or not (be a penalty).”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil rues missed chances in defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 7, 2023

The two sides were level at half-time, after Matias Vina’s impressive strike cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s early opener. Chelsea had lots of possession after the restart, without working Neto, while down the other end Vina was denied a second goal by a fine Kepa Arrizabalaga stop. Dango Ouattara then missed a big chance to put the hosts in front, heading over from close range, before Chelsea got ahead when Benoit Badiashile scored from a Hakim Ziyech free-kick. Substitute Joao Felix then wrapped up victory with four minutes to play. Reflecting on the two sides’ contrasting fortunes in front of goal, O’Neil said: “I thought that was the only difference. I thought it was an even contest. “There were lots of bits in it that I liked. “When we were on top, sort of midway through the second half, we had a flurry of corners. Mati Vina has a one-on-one with Kepa, who makes a good save. “Kepa makes a great block from Dango as well, from four or five yards out and then obviously the massive chance with Dango's free header, four yards out from goal. “I think if we get our noses in front, the game will probably finish very differently. But disappointed that we weren't clinical enough and Chelsea make a couple of mistakes to give us a chance and we don't take it. “Then we get punished at the other end as soon as we make one. “I don't think Neto had a lot to do and then we make a mistake and they managed to punish us and it goes 2-1, and then obviously it's in their favour then. “But we were well in the game. Just really disappointed that we don't take anything.” O’Neil added: “We thought there was not much more performance-wise we could have done, apart from be better in front of their goal at key moments and then maybe not make quite so many errors. “Two errors at the end there for their two goals. “I thought the fans were excellent. I thought that the lads felt the energy in the place. “If there was any concern around the players not being at the same level as they have been because we're on 39 points, I thought there was no danger of that. “They were absolutely bang on again, gave absolutely everything. “But in football matches, especially against teams of world-class players, there is a chance that no matter how well you do, if you don't take your chances, they're going to take theirs. “We got stung with that.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Jefferson Lerma #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 6, 2023

The Colombian’s current deal expires this summer, with Lerma open to a return to Spain. He first joined Cherries in 2018 from then La Liga outfit Levante for a club record £25 million, signing a five-year contract at the time. Despite being regarded as one of Cherries’ best players, he remained loyal to the club following their relegation from the Premier League in 2020, helping the side to a top-flight return after two years in the Championship. Now 28, Cherries will not be entitled to any compensation if he decides to depart for pastures new. Whilst a final decision has yet to been made by Lerma, O’Neil pointed out that at no point could it be doubted the midfielder had not given his all to Cherries this campaign. Lerma has missed just one Premier League game this season, playing a total of 2,895 minutes out of a possible 3,060. In his five seasons at Dean Court, the Colombian international has made 180 appearances for Cherries, and if he plays in the remaining four league fixtures, he will reach a century of Premier League games. Asked about Lerma’s future, O’Neil replied: “No decision made at the moment, as far as I'm aware, so hopefully he'll be here. “Jeff's a great guy, so incredible around the place, incredible around the group, especially if you're in a relegation battle when you need to get in the trenches. “And me, Jeff, the club, have been fully focused on that up until this moment. “I think you've seen in Jeff's performances that there was just no doubt that he was fully committed to the cause. “So, yeah, now that the relegation stuff is all but beyond us, then hopefully we can start to put something in place where he stays, but no confirmation either way.” With contract talks paused during Cherries’ survival bid, there is optimism the 28-year-old could sign a new deal to remain at Vitality Stadium.” “I'm hopeful,” responded Cherries’ head coach when he was asked if he was confident a deal could be agreed. “I think there's a lot of things that go on in individual decisions. “If Jeff was to leave, he'd have huge respect from absolutely everybody. “Fans absolutely love him and rightly so. “He's been an incredible, and still is an incredible player for the football team, for a very long time. “I'm hopeful that we will have him next season.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believed Chelsea as favorites to beat Bournemouth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 6, 2023

Cherries currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, level with Frank Lampard’s Blues on 39 points. That gap has been closed after a stellar month from O’Neil’s men in April, where they recorded five wins from seven matches. Meanwhile, Chelsea have collected just one point from their past six league matches over the past month, losing each of the last four. Put to him that some could be expecting Cherries to win the contest, despite the London club splashing out more than £500million across the past two transfer windows, O’Neil said: “We’re definitely not favourites for tomorrow, absolutely no chance. “Chelsea are a very good side with fantastic players. It hasn’t clicked yet. “If it clicks tomorrow, it’s a tough afternoon for the lads and we need to be at 100 per cent, as we have been for the last few to give Chelsea a real good game. “I think it would be silly of us or anyone to think that we’re a better side than Chelsea going into this football match. “They’re still very, very dangerous and have fantastic players all over the pitch, World Cup winners, Thiago Silva, an absolute superstar, fantastic centre-back. “They have a good side and when it starts to click for them, I’m sure they will be very, very dangerous.” Asked what he would have thought if he was told when he took over Cherries back in August that they would have the chance to leapfrog Chelsea this weekend, O’Neil said: “Of course, I wouldn’t have believed them. “Not because of where we are, really, but because of where Chelsea are. I think everybody in the country is surprised that is hasn’t really happened for Chelsea with the high levels that they set themselves. “It’s been a disappointing season so far for them. I still think, especially the players, will be coming here with an eye on next season and making sure they finish this season strongly. “They’re a dangerous team with fantastic players. “I’ve watched a lot of their recent games and they’ve not managed to win one recently, but, obviously, they still have some world-class players that could cause you problems.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals Lewis Cook will be back in the team at some point #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 5, 2023

Cook started every league game under O’Neil, prior to picking up a knee injury which forced him off at Brentford in January. Since, Joe Rothwell has been given more chances in that central midfield role, with he, Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing all in fine form in recent weeks. That has seen Cook’s chances restricted to cameo appearances off the bench, featuring for just 97 minutes across the past two months, since he returned to fitness. Asked how the 26-year-old has responded to the challenge of being out of the team, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s been fine. He’s fully on board with understanding what’s needed. “It’s not about any one individual these next few weeks. It’s about all of us pulling together and Lew understands that. “Of course, if you get an unfortunate injury, you are open to the fact people can come in and do well and then you have to fight hard to get your place back. “I’m sure Lew will be back in the team at some point. There’s always things that happen. “He’s working hard in training every day to prove he’s ready and I can see he’s ready for when the opportunity comes up. He’ll be ready to grasp it, I’m sure.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil ‘gutted’ for Marcus Tavernier after latest injury setback #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 4, 2023

Cherries look set for a second season in the top flight, moving nine points clear of the bottom three with a 4-1 win over Leeds United on Sunday. That followed a 1-0 triumph at Southampton three days earlier, Tavernier netting the winner. The only negative from that night at St Mary’s was seeing Tavernier forced off injured towards the end of the contest, with another hamstring issue. The 24-year-old has had an impressive first season at this level, since joining Cherries from Championship Middlesbrough for a reported £12million in the summer, contributing five goals and four assists from 23 appearances. However, his campaign has been hampered now by three separate hamstring injuries, which has seen him miss 11 Premier League matches. The severity of his current setback is yet to be confirmed, but head coach O’Neil says Cherries will now take their time to get him fully fit again, with the threat of relegation no longer looming. Discussing Tavernier after Sunday’s win over Leeds, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think it’s important to mention Tavs. “He’s played a big part this season. Even though he’s had a real tough run, I’m gutted for him that he’s hurt his hamstring again. “To bounce back every time and to come straight back in and have the impact that he does. “He’s played a huge part on the points tally that we have, even though he has suffered a frustrating season from his part.” Cherries are awaiting further medical opinions to assess the current damage to Tavernier. Asked if he feels Tavernier’s hamstring issues could be a concern going forwards, O’Neil added: “It will fall on me eventually, but I won’t be the one planning how we make sure that he stays fit. “There will be some work that goes in, definitely. “Obviously in the midst of a relegation battle, which it has been, there’s always a pressure, because you know what he can do, a pressure to get him back and to use him. “So now we’ll see how he is, he might not even be that serious yet. “But if it is similar to the others, we have a nice, good block now where we can try and help him get in some real good shape and see if we can get him back stronger.” Cherries host Chelsea on Saturday (3pm), knowing a win would see them leapfrog Frank Lampard’s Blues in the table.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals not caring about the criticism early in the season #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 4, 2023

O’Neil looks to have guided Cherries to Premier League safety with four games to spare, following back-to-back wins last week against relegation-threatened duo Southampton and Leeds United. The 4-1 win over the Whites on Sunday has moved Cherries up to 13th in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone and level on points with this weekend’s opponents Chelsea. Following O’Neil going from interim to permanent head coach during the World Cup break, Cherries embarked on a six-game losing run, failing to score in five of those fixtures. Last-gasp defeat at Arsenal in early March saw Cherries slip to the foot of the table, having won just one of 12 games, which had also seen them knocked out of both cup competitions. That led to plenty of dissent from Cherries fans on social media, questioning the decision to hire O'Neil. Since, Cherries have stormed up the table, winning six of the following nine games, including wins over the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Asked if he felt criticism during the losing run in January was unfair, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I’m not too bothered. People can criticise me as much as they want. “I’m happy to be judged every week on what we produce. “My job to make sure the players are fit. My job to make sure we have enough of them. My job to make sure we get enough points. At this moment in time, we’ve got all three. “I’m just pleased with where we’ve got to. I think it’s the nature of the job, isn’t it? “I just try to make sure it doesn’t ever affect the players, so making sure the players are always ready to go. “They’ve suffered some tough moments this season. You think away to Arsenal, I think we were bottom of the league as well at that moment when we suffered that late goal. “Not many people probably saw us going on the run we did from then. A big effort from everybody and very proud of the group.” Asked if he always believed Cherries would achieve Premier League safety, O’Neil added: “It was always achievable. “We needed a few things to start to go our way. “You think back to that winless run after the World Cup break where we had so many injuries. Obviously we couldn’t strengthen too much in the summer, it was a group that wasn’t overly big at that point. “We were suffering injuries, but we didn’t ever waver. “The messages have been consistent constantly. We kept trying to do the right things. We kept trying to play in the way that we believed and then when you start to get players back from injury and you have a good January transfer window and the messages are the same - a perfect storm that came together and we managed to put an incredible run of results together.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil wants PL Fans to remember role of entire coaching staff to help club #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 3, 2023

While O’Neil and the players have taken the plaudits in recent weeks for a run of four wins from five, Cherries’ head coach was keen to praise other members of staff for their role. Victory over Leeds United on Sunday, a resounding 4-1 success, moved Cherries up to 13th in the Premier League table, nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games to play. That win came just three days on from a 1-0 triumph away at Southampton. Asked if he feels some of the behind the scenes work can go unnoticed from people on the outside when there is such a quick turnaround between fixtures, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think it gets overlooked on purpose, or I don’t expect people not to overlook it because it’s just part and parcel of what we do. “If you’re not in it, you wouldn’t know. “There’s an awful lot of work that goes into prepping a team for a Premier League game, because the game has moved to a point where there are huge tactical changes all the time. “You need to be extremely well-prepped. The guys that I work with are dedicating their lives to trying to keep the club in the Premier League at this moment, every single one of them. “There’s an incredible amount of work that goes in from so many members of staff.” LONG READ: Bill Foley promised survival, but Gary O'Neil delivered it He added: “The amount of work that goes into prepping for an opposition - I think Southampton changed shape four times in the first 30 minutes. “We’d prepped for every single one and we managed to move people around in every single scenario to help the lads cope with that. “So the amount of prep that went into that Southampton game in such a short time to cover all the tactical aspects was huge. “To have to repeat that again, for the coaching staff and the analysts and the boys that work on it to make sure we’re as well prepared for Leeds as we were for Southampton, obviously takes a lot of effort.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admits relegation relief after Leeds win #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 1, 2023

Having lost 4-0 at home to West Ham United last Sunday, Cherries went to Southampton on Thursday night, coming away 1-0 victors. Cherries’ head coach then held a press conference a few hours later, on Friday morning, to preview the visit of Leeds United. Following a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Whites, O’Neil revealed he had also spent Saturday night in hospital, with his six-year-old daughter Mila Bleu. Asked how he would be celebrating the win over Leeds, which he feels secures Cherries’ place in the Premier League next season on 39 points from 34 matches, O’Neil said: “I was in A&E last night with my youngest daughter. “She had an accident, nothing too serious. So I’ll get home, see how she is. “I’ll probably just spend the evening in the lounge. Maybe a beer, maybe a tea and some chocolate. There’s some Easter eggs left. I’m just going to enjoy it with them. “I just want to spend some time with the people that have supported me. “They’ve seen some dark evenings in the O’Neil house! Let’s enjoy this one with them.” Asked how he feels himself about the job he has done as boss at Cherries, O’Neil said: “The main thing is relief first. “Even when you’re on 36 points and Leeds are coming and Leicester and Everton play each other tomorrow, you still think because of our goal difference, we don’t want to go to Everton three points in front on the last day. It could still have easily gone the other way. “So today is relief that we put in a big performance and we achieve what I think will be Premier League safety. “I’m just going to enjoy this evening with the family. There’s been a lot of late ones this week – a few 11 o’clockers in there. I haven’t seen much of them. “So looking forward to this evening, celebrating with them and looking forward to getting onto Chelsea.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke speaks after Leeds win #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan May 1, 2023

Cherries’ comfortable 4-1 win over Leeds United moved them to the brink of safety, with a 10-point cushion above the relegation spots with four games remaining. Solanke played a part in Cherries’ opener, teeing up Phil Billing for the initial shot that led to Jefferson Lerma curling home. The Colombian doubled the lead four minutes later, before Patrick Bamford pulled one back before the end of the first half. Talismanic striker Solanke restored the two-goal margin shortly after the hour mark, before watching on from the bench as Antoine Semenyo added further gloss with a fourth. “We knew it was going to be a huge game for us,” Solanke told the Daily Echo: “After coming off the last win, we wanted to make sure that we followed up with another win. “And to get back-to-back wins at this point in this stage of the season, just shows the position we’re in.” Promoted as Championship runners-up last term, many had expected Cherries to finish in the bottom three. Whilst not yet mathematically confirmed, it would take some effort from sides below them to overhaul their current position of 13th. “I think a lot of people, especially at the start of season, didn't really give us a chance,” Solanke continued. “But we always believed and we know the quality that we have in the squad. So for us to do what we've done, just shows our quality.” Solanke’s goal was well taken, the forward ghosting into the area before being forced out wide. Unfazed by the acute angle, he steered his effort towards the far corner, the ball bouncing off the inside of the post. “I went for that corner,” explained the 26-year-old. “Obviously not the post, but knew it was quite a tight angle. “But yeah, I wanted to slide it in and, it was a good finish.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Marcus Tavernier reveals family support for premier league clubs and goal celebration during Southampton win #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 30, 2023

Tavernier is hoping to shake off a hamstring complaint to feature at Vitality Stadium tomorrow afternoon, having netted the winning goal at Southampton on Thursday night. Born in Leeds, Tavernier spent much of his early life growing up in the north east, but most of his family remain staunch Leeds United supporters. The Whites head to the south coast today, with both sides scrapping for the points they need to ensure Premier League safety. After netting at St Mary’s, Tavernier ran towards the away fans, flapping his arms like a bird. Asked what was behind the celebration, the 24-year-old told the Daily Echo: “My uncle is down and before the game I like to have turkey sandwiches which my auntie makes. “I had one before the game. And they said ‘if you score today, you’ve got to promise me that you’ll do that celebration’. “I always keep my promises and that’s what I did! It went to the turkey sandwiches!” Asked if he will now be eating them before every game, Tavernier said: “It might have to be! “I might have to get my uncle down a bit more often so he can make me those turkey sandwiches.” Tavernier found the net for Cherries against Leeds earlier in the season, in a 4-3 defeat at Elland Road. Discussing his Yorkshire background, the winger explained: “Pretty much my whole family are Leeds fans. “So obviously it’s a big game in the household, but they’re all cheering me on. “My brother and my family are looking at the Leeds results and they’re not wanting them to win at the moment, because they’re supporting me!” He added: “I grew up in Newcastle. But all of a sudden I became an Arsenal fan, that’s Thierry Henry for you! “So I’m a bit of a loose one in the family for supporting teams. “But everyone in the family is a Leeds fan, so I’m going to keep them quiet this weekend hopefully!” Cherries moved seven points clear of the relegation zone with victory over Saints. With just five games to play, Gary O’Neil’s men are on the brink of securing a second consecutive season in the top flight. Reflecting on the win at St Mary’s, Tavernier said: “The manager said before the game we have to make sure we come here and come out with what we want. That’s exactly what we did. “We played the football we wanted and it showed in the performance again. “Everyone can be happy right now, but it’s not over yet, which we know. We have to go into Leeds fully focused and put on the same performance. “If we’re being critical, we could’ve put more chances away and made it easier. But the end result is we got what we wanted and that’s the main thing. “It’s a derby game and I’ve played in a few in my career. There’s no better feeling than to get a win over your rivals. “They played us at our patch and we got beat. I remember seeing the celebrations after from their fans and it hurts, because you know you’re leaving your fans a bit deflated. “But I’m sure they’re going to be happy with that performance.” Put to him that one more point against Leeds this weekend could well be enough to keep Cherries up, Tavernier said: “We’re not thinking like that. We’re taking it each game at a time. “We want to finish the season strong and get as many points as we possibly can. “That starts against Leeds. We have no intention of getting one point. “We go in there fully wanting three, and the following games after that, we keep the same mentality.” Asked if he will have many relatives at the game to watch him this weekend, Tavernier said: “No, unfortunately not. “I’ve got my uncle there again, so maybe some more turkey sandwiches before the game! “They’ll be supporting me to full effect and that’s all I can ask for.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham says win at Saints was for Cherries ‘fans who have stuck with us’ #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 30, 2023

Historically, Cherries have a wretched record away to their south coast rivals. This week’s win marked just a second time Cherries have won away at Saints, the first coming on their last trip their in September 2019. Since that day, Saints had racked up three successive wins over Cherries, all at Vitality Stadium, the hosts failing to find the net. Mepham has now visited St Mary’s three times since joining Cherries from Brentford four years ago. He started, only to be withdrawn early on during a 3-3 draw there in April 2019, before remaining as an unused substitute for the 3-1 win in September that year. The centre-back played a key role in the 1-0 win on Thursday night, which came four years to the day since he was hooked at the same stadium. Defeat left Saints rooted to the foot of the table, six points from safety. 🍒 Celebrations in full swing #afcb pic.twitter.com/cyuSQwsonz — Tom Crocker (@TomCrockerEcho) April 27, 2023 Discussing this week’s win and being part of some good days for Cherries at St Mary’s, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “I remember getting dragged after 30 minutes away from home, so other than that day! “For the fans, there’s always a little bit more on this game. “For us as players, we approach it the same as any other game, but in the background we know there is obviously that local rivalry, so I think it was important to get the win for the fans that obviously have stuck with us all this season.” While Marcus Tavernier’s goal was all that separated the sides, Cherries were the better side for the majority of the contest on Thursday. However, having failed to put the game to bed, they had a nervy wait at the death when substitute Che Adams slammed home, only for the strike to eventually be ruled offside. “I think that’s the thing we need to get better at,” Mepham explained. “For all our dominance in the first half and the way we controlled the first half, we probably didn’t create enough clear-cut opportunities. “We seemed to arrive in the final third a lot, but then it was a case of second half, just finding a moment out of something to go and get us a goal. “Then it was down to us to see how well we can hang on. “Obviously other than that moment where Che Adams scores, I thought we limited them to very few chances. It probably felt like it was more pressure than they probably put us under.” Cherries return to action against Leeds United at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (2pm).

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes 36 points may not be enough to avoid relegation as Bournemouth move further clear after Southampton win #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 29, 2023

Cherries moved up to that mark with a 1-0 win at Southampton on Thursday night, a fifth win in eight matches, which has seen them leap from bottom of the Premier League up to 14th. With five games to go, Cherries are seven points clear of the relegation zone. But boss O’Neil is not convinced the job is yet done, urging his side to be ready to “turn up right from the start” when they host relegation-threatened Leeds United on Sunday (2pm). Put to him that finishing higher up the table would earn the club more prize money at the end of the year, O’Neil said: “At this moment, it’s not about each place, it’s still about avoiding the bottom three for me. “I still believe 36 points could be relegated. “I think maybe the world felt when we left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (after winning 3-2 on April 15) that we were fine. “And then you get a performance against West Ham (4-0 loss) where we let ourselves down. “I think that’s a real good lesson for the boys around achieving a good result that everyone thinks means that you’re okay and you’re good and everything’s rosy and then you get a real kick up the backside a few days later. “We learnt that lesson last week and hopefully that prepares us for what will be a tough ask against Leeds, to go off the back of such a huge effort on Thursday night, two days’ less recovery (than Leeds) against a very intense team will be a big test for the boys come Sunday.” He added: “I felt everyone in the world felt more comfortable after Tottenham and you see what can happen, you lose a game 4-0 to West Ham. “Nottingham Forest beat Brighton and all of a sudden it’s lose at Southampton and we’re right back in it. Things can change very quickly. We’ve been on a good run, so other teams definitely can as well. “I still think 36 points can be relegated, so a real clear focus from me. Thursday night is done. “We enjoyed the fact that we managed to execute a gameplan against a team that could’ve been dangerous on the evening, fantastic that the fans got to enjoy another away victory, but nothing done yet. We need three points on Sunday.” Discussing the challenge posed by Leeds, O’Neil added: “For us, it’s just making sure we start the game well, because we have conceded some early goals recently. “And we were out of our last home game before it started. So making sure that we’re ready. “There needs to be a lot of work done in a short space of time to make sure that we turn up right from the start of Leeds. “We don’t have time to ease ourselves into this one. They play in an intense way. “They’ll have seen the start against West Ham I’m sure and they’ll be keen to come and impose themselves in front of our crowd, to try and make it an awkward afternoon for us. “Real focus from me on trying to get the boys ready to start off all guns blazing at two o’clock on Sunday.” Asked if his team selection will be influenced by having got some vital points on the board on Thursday, O’Neil said: “I don’t think so. I don’t feel any more comfortable at all. “I still feel like at this moment in time we could be relegated, so let’s approach the game exactly in that way, try and get the best team out there for energy, also for quality. “There will be no rotation that wouldn’t have taken place in any other scenario. It will be business as usual from team selection wise.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham thinks win over Leeds could get Bournemouth over the line #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 29, 2023

A Marcus Tavernier goal earned Cherries a 1-0 victory at Southampton on Thursday night, a result which moved Gary O’Neil’s men seven points clear of the relegation zone with just five games to play. Many pundits believe the 36 points Cherries have already amassed will be enough to avoid the drop, with O’Neil’s charges now sitting 14th in the table. But the head coach and squad and eyeing victory over another side battling to avoid the drop in Leeds at Vitality Stadium this weekend, to all but rubber-stamp a second consecutive top-flight campaign for Cherries. Discussing the win over Saints being a huge step in Cherries achieving their goal, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “That’s exactly what the manager said at the end of the game. “We are so close now. Credit to us, we’ve put ourselves in an unbelievable position. I think that’s our third away win in a row now. “We’ve done our bit. We just need to keep pressing, get us over the line on Sunday hopefully. “I think the last thing we would want now is complacency. There are still lots of points up for grabs. “We want to finish as high as possible and the relegation fight isn’t done yet. We go into Sunday wanting to win and hopefully we can get over the line then.” He added: “It’s not done yet. Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to go down, we will still be fighting for every point. “Sunday is no different. We will approach it like we do every game, which is wanting to win and hopefully we can get a result on Sunday.” Reflecting on the victory at St Mary’s, Mepham said: “Massive win. Especially the way the drama was at the end (Che Adams disallowed goal). Obviously panic stations at the end when you think you’ve lost two points. “I think we thoroughly deserved the points. First half, complete control. Second half, I think they were always going to come out and put a lot more pressure on us and play higher up the pitch. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck, like we got at the end and I felt like we deserved that with the way we applied ourselves in the first half.” Asked how impressive the win was given Cherries had just suffered a 4-0 home defeat to West Ham United a few days earlier, Mepham said: “To be honest, Sunday felt like a bit of an anomaly for us. “I think the way we’ve performed the last couple of months, that performance on Sunday was very unlike us. “We knew we had so much more to offer. Then again (on Thursday) it was a case of bounce back and I thought we did that really well. We started the game well. “I think the first 10 minutes they came out quite quick, but once we settled into the game, we had control and it’s a perfect response.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil to ‘seek clarity’ on penalty controversy at St Mary’s against Bournemouth #SaintsFC

By Kanak Chauhan April 29, 2023

With his side 1-0 up against Southampton, Ryan Christie flashed in a right-footed cross, which struck the outstretched arm of Saints defender Jan Bednarek, from close range. After a brief check from video assistant Andy Madley, the referee in the ground Darren England was not recommended to check the incident and play resumed. Cherries went on to win 1-0, but O’Neil admits he was left baffled by the decision not to award his side a spot-kick. Asked why no penalty was awarded, O’Neil said: “No idea. I don’t see any difference between that and some of the ones we’ve had given against us this year. “His arm is a long way from his body. The ball is going into a dangerous area. I can’t see why. “To have it dismissed so quickly – I remember sitting in our dugout when they go against us for ages waiting, they’re watching eight different camera angles and it’s being played in slow motion. “This one we get maybe an eight-second check and we’re told it’s clear. And then I see the replay and I cannot believe that has not been given as a penalty.” He added: “I was shown the handball quite a lot after the game and I was very surprised. “Not that I think that should be handball, just that it seems so similar to so many we’ve had go against us that I am just struggling to understand it a little bit. “I will seek some clarity on that as well, this week or next week, whenever the guys are available to catch up, try and figure out the differences and also why the check seemed so short on it. “There’s a few things that I need clearing up on that.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ruben Selles admits loss to Bournemouth was a ‘hard night’ for Saints #SAINTSFC

By Kanak Chauhan April 29, 2023

Marcus Tavernier’s second-half winner at St Mary’s left the the division’s bottom club six points from safety with five games to go. Beleaguered Saints thought they had snatched a dramatic draw but Che Adams’ 89th-minute effort was disallowed for offside following VAR intervention. A painful defeat to their south-coast rivals inflicted a club-record 11th home league loss of the season on Southampton, with lingering hopes of survival fading fast. “We are going to go and try to put a performance in every game to try to win, and we are going to do it until the very end,” said Selles. “I know it’s only five games to play. But we are professionals and we will fight until the very last point. “I know now it’s hard, I know the table is looking like it’s a difficult one but we are going to give it a try.” He added: "It was a disappointing night. "We came with the intention to put in a good performance and we obviously didn’t. “Some of the things that can go against us, they went against us. “Even the offside goal, it’s a couple of centimetres but it is offside. It was a hard night.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil reacts to win over Southampton #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 28, 2023

Cherries took the lead early on through the first-half from a deflected Marcus Tavernier strike, the effort enough to separate the two sides at the final whistle 1-0. Che Adams thought he had rescued a precious point for the division’s bottom outfit late on, only for the equaliser to be chalked off by VAR for offside. Whilst overall he was pleased with his side’s performance, O’Neil did reiterate that his side need to be more clinical to finish contests off sooner. He began: “Big win for us. Performance was pleasing as well. “Sort of had everything we asked, apart from being clinical enough to put the game to bed. “Because I thought we were by far the better side today. “We spoke a lot this afternoon about showing a calmness in what would be probably a frantic football match, where obviously the other side are in a tough situation and there may be some desperation attached. “So, firstly, can we show a calmness in what is a big pressure situation? And then beneath that, can we show a real grit and steel, and a refusal to leave here without what we came for? “And I thought the performance showed both. “Credit to the players, I thought they were excellent.” Cherries recorded 16 shots and enjoyed consistent spells with the ball, but were unable to truly test Alex McCarthy beyond Tavernier’s winner. “Away from home, I thought it was impressive with the ball,” continued O’Neil. “I thought we played through our shape, lovely. “The things that we thought would be on were on. “It's been a bit of a story recently where we haven't quite been clinical enough, so I think back to Brighton at home where we missed some big chances. “So, yeah, it was a good performance, but the good news is that there is still room for improvement. Definitely.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil recalls Francis Benali incident as teenager before game against Southampton #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 27, 2023

O’Neil came through the ranks at Pompey, featuring in three south coast derbies, winning one and losing two during the 2004-05 campaign. Now as boss of AFC Bournemouth, he takes his side to St Mary’s tomorrow for a key contest in the Premier League relegation battle. Reflecting on his memories of matches against Saints as a Pompey player, O’Neil said: “They were fierce. They still are fierce, I guess. “My first ever reserve game was against Southampton for Portsmouth at Havant & Waterlooville and there was about 3,000 fans in. “I was only 15, playing right-midfield against Francis Benali. And as soon as I tried to run in behind him from kick-off, he smashed me in the face with a cast on his arm. “I’d come straight from maths, gone to play for Portsmouth’s reserves and got a cast smashed in my face. I was like ‘this is what senior football is going to be like’. “And that was just a reserve game! “There was some fierce games between Portsmouth and Southampton. Obviously a real memorable one where we won when (Lomano) LuaLua scored two at home. “That was sort of a relegation battle as well, Portsmouth and Southampton were both involved in it. So some good fixtures. “We’ve had some good games with them as well since I’ve been at Bournemouth. “We’ve not managed to come out on top since I’ve been here yet, but we will try to change that on Thursday.” Asked if he will have a word with Benali should he see him at St Mary’s tomorrow night, O’Neil added: “I’ve spoken to him before. I think we did some TV stuff together and he doesn’t actually remember it. “But it definitely happened! If I bump into him, I’ll mention it again.” Given his allegiance to Pompey, O’Neil could be on the receiving end of a hostile reception from the home fans. Asked if he would welcome that ire to take some pressure off his players, Cherries’ boss said: “If the source of everyone’s focus could be on me and let my players go and perform then that would be a benefit, but I don’t see it like that. “We’ve had two away games at Tottenham and Leicester recently. Leicester were fired up for it, home fans knew it was a big game for them and the lads managed to put in a performance. “And a huge crowd at Tottenham, going 1-0 down and the place bouncing at that point and the lads managed to put in another real good performance. “I don’t know what sort of reception I’ll get. It doesn’t bother me too much either way.” Victory for Cherries tomorrow would push rock-bottom Saints closer towards relegation with just a month of the season remaining. But O’Neil insists that is not on his mind. “No feeling towards what it does to them at all,” he said. “Just purely us and what it means to us. I wouldn’t get any more pleasure out of beating Southampton than I would out of beating anybody else. “Hopefully we can go there and put another big result on the board for ourselves, the club, the players, the fans and if we do that, we’ll be in a really good place.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on facing Southampton which could be relegation decider #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 27, 2023

O’Neil side visit St Mary’s tomorrow (7.45pm kick-off) in a key clash in the battle for survival. Saints currently sit at the foot of the Premier League table, nine points below Cherries in 15th. Cherries are five points above the bottom three, with Saints’ gap to safety the same margin. Since Selles took charge of Saints, initially on a caretaker basis before being appointed permanent boss, Southampton have taken nine points from 10 Premier League fixtures. Asked about facing Saints, O’Neil replied: “It'll be a big challenge. They've made big improvements since the new head coach took over. “They've improved. They're not really in relegation form since he's taken the job. “I think they have nine points from nine games, so a decent return. “High energy, front-foot, aggressive, had some good results, fantastic performance at Arsenal and result. “So, yeah, it's not like we're going to a team that are losing every week and have been rooted to the bottom of the table because they're in terrible form. “They're putting in some real good performances, picking up some good results. “So, it'll be a real tough test. If anyone is in any doubt then I can assure them it'll be a really tough game for us on Thursday.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony calls on team to ‘get back to basics’ after west ham loss #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 26, 2023

Gary O’Neil’s charges were reminded they are not safe from the threat of relegation by fellow strugglers West Ham on Sunday, the Hammers easing to a 4-0 win at Vitality Stadium. Once again Cherries were undone by set-pieces, West Ham opening the scores from a corner headed home by Michail Antonio. The Cherries defence did not cover itself in any glory for the second on 12 minutes, Lucas Paqueta ghosting in at the far post to score another header. Declan Rice caught the hosts out at another corner before the break, with substitute Pablo Fornals finishing the scoring midway through the second half. Speaking after the game, Anthony shared: “We're very disappointed with ourselves, first and foremost. “The way we executed the game plan. We weren't good enough in both boxes and we were punished for that. “Frustrated, but we got another game coming very fast and we’re looking to put it right. “Hopefully we can do that. “We know we have to turn up. There's no game that's going to be given to you in this league. We were punished for mistakes and for not being in the right position and stuff like that. We’ve got to learn from it, and bounce back on Thursday. “This league, it does that to you. You can never really predict what's going to happen. Obviously we're disappointed with how we performed. We didn't really get the basics right. We were punished for that.” Not first the first time this season, Cherries struggled to create clear cut chances despite enjoying a majority of possession. “I think every team will say so it's a lot harder to break a team down when they get bodies behind the ball, but we know we have the players to break it down,” Anthony explained to the Daily Echo. “(Against West Ham) it didn't quite work out, but it's never easy when you have that many bodies in front of a goal to try and try and find gaps that they don't let you create.” Cherries face another six-pointer with a rival for survival in the form of Southampton on Thursday evening, with Anthony hoping his team can put right their wrongs from the weekend. He restarted: “You see in this league, there's always surprises in there and Thursday, I'm sure there'll be no difference. Another tough game that we're going to try and try and win and hopefully we will do that there. “We’ve had some good results recently and showed what a good side we are. We’ve just to get back to basics. Try and pick ourselves up, and getting going again Thursday. “We got another chance to try and put it right and be on the right side of a result, of a performance on Thursday.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham admits surprise after defeat to West Ham #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 25, 2023

Hammers opened scores after five minutes, Michail Antonio heading home unopposed at a corner, before the away side made it 2-0 on 12 minutes through Lucas Paqueta. Declan Rice crashed home a third from another corner minutes before the break, substitute Pablo Fornals adding a fourth in the second period. Talking to Sky Sports, Mepham shared: “Weird game really. “I felt like we probably felt in complete control, had a lot of the ball, started the game well and then just set pieces killed us. “It’s something we’ve put a lot of work into and we’ve been aware we’re not good enough dealing with them set pieces and today showed again – two balls in the box and two goals and you’ve got a mountain to climb against a very stubborn West Ham team. “We need to do more to make sure we’re not in that position but I felt like that was the difference today. I don’t think in general play there was much in it either way. Just shows the importance of set pieces at this level.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- West Ham’s David Moyes feared potential AFC Bournemouth comeback #WHUFC

By Kanak Chauhan April 25, 2023

The Hammers raced into a 2-0 lead on the south coast, Michail Antonio opening scores on five minutes before Lucas Paqueta grabbed a second seven minutes later. Declan Rice made it three shortly before the break, with Pablo Fornals confirming the result on 72 minutes with the fourth and final goal. Despite his side’s relative control of the scoreline, Moyes shared that he had not counted his chickens before they had hatched, pointing towards recent comebacks in the Premier League. Last weekend Hammers came from two behind to draw with league leaders Arsenal, whilst the Gunners themselves overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 with lowly Southampton“It was an excellent win. Asked about Fornals’ goal, Moyes replied: “I was just thrilled we got it. Because even at three, if they get a goal - more so than ever, we are seeing teams coming from comebacks and we were 2-0 down last week. “We saw Arsenal Southampton, 3-1 and a comeback, you never know at the moment how these things are going.” Cherries head coach Gary O’Neil shared after the game that Moyes had told him he felt the 4-0 margin flattered West Ham, with the Hammers boss believing his side to have been “clinical” with their opportunities. “I thought Bournemouth put us under pressure, had a few opportunities,” he continued. “We were clinical when we got our opportunities. “We got off to a great start in the game and especially after the midweek game, it gave us a real lift. “I thought the players went into the game with a lot of confidence and self-belief from reaching another semi-final and obviously we had a really good comeback against Arsenal last week. “We defended the box very well. I didn’t like that we gave up so many opportunities. We did that part when we had to as well. “I thought Bournemouth had opportunities as well.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil explains ‘real reason’ why West Ham beat Bournemouth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 24, 2023

The resounding score-line marked Cherries’ heaviest home loss since defeat by the same score to Liverpool in the Premier League in December 2018. Early headed goals from Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta set the tone, before Declan Rose slammed in a third before half-time. O’Neil tried to change momentum with his substitutions, but Cherries could not pull a goal back, eventually conceding again through an acrobatic Pablo Fornals strike. Asked how he would sum up the loss, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Not good enough in both penalty areas. “West Ham have a couple of real strengths and we weren’t able to cope with them, basically. “Whatever happened in between becomes irrelevant if you’re not able to deal with one of their key strengths. “David (Moyes) said to me afterwards obviously it was a never a 4-0 game. “We obviously dominated the ball. But West Ham have real strengths in that they attack set plays well, they’re physical, they’re good in the air and they can counter-attack. “If you don’t match their physicality in our penalty area for the first goal and even for the second goal, 12 minutes in, 2-0 down, you’ve not been able to cope with one of their key strengths and then you’ve set the game up perfectly for them to sit in as they wanted to and try and catch you on the counter. “And then on the flip side of that, we arrive in the final third, create a lot of chances and aren’t good enough to stick any away at the moment.” O’Neil added: “If you want to look at the real reason West Ham beat us today, it’s because their strengths, we couldn’t cope with.” Cherries slip to 15th with this defeat, five points clear of the relegation zone with six games to play.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie cannot hide his frustration after defeat to West Ham #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 24, 2023

Michail Antonio was left unmarked to nod home at a corner five minutes in, with the away side doubling their lead with another header seven minutes later, Lucas Paqueta the scorer. Declan Rice powered home a third after Cherries survived the initial cross at a corner, before Pablo Fornals added a fourth in the second period. Conceding from dead-balls has been a common theme from this campaign. Rice’s 43rd minute strike was the 20th goal let in from either a corner or a free-kick, with Cherries also conceding from six penalties. “It's not a good stat,” Christie replied when it was put to him by the Daily Echo. “At the same time, especially against the bigger teams, we've conceded a lot of corners as well. It probably accumulates to that. “Obviously frustrating to concede a goal anyway, but especially set-pieces, when we work on them every week and we worked them especially on Friday. “So West Ham again, probably a team that were focusing on that stuff like that coming into today's game. “And first one is really cheap. Second one, obviously, just kind of drops and it is a good strike. “Another day, somebody blocks that. “Frustrating, I think just because of the manner we concede in terms of how well we played in the first half.” Asked what the mood in the dressing room was like, Christie responded: “It's alright, obviously frustrated. “Going into the game, we wanted to get a positive result, especially on the run of form we're on and after last week as well. “Sounds maybe a bit ridiculous, but we played all right first half. It was just two set-plays and an aimless ball in the box that killed us. “Probably makes it a little bit more frustrating. Half time I was going in thinking I couldn't believe we were 3-0 down. “But that's sometimes what the Premier League is, it comes down to each box. “And today obviously not our day, but still a massive week ahead, so can't be too down. We go on to Thursday.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on squad depth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 23, 2023

A return of 15 points from the last 24 available has seen Cherries rise up the league table, opening up a six-point gap over the bottom three at the time of writing. Cherries would do their survival chances no harm with a positive result over West Ham on Sunday (kick-off 2pm), David Moyes’ Hammers visiting the Vitality. In recent weeks numerous players have come from the fringes of the squad to playing key roles in recent victories, with O’Neil listing Welsh international Chris Mepham as one such example. Ryan Christie and Jack Stephens have also endured spells out of the starting XI, whilst Joe Rothwell has returned from injury to become one of the side’s most consistent performers. Asked whether he was impressed by the professionalism shown by his team, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think that's the way the game is now. “There's a 25-man squad and you need your 25-man squad to be full of people that are all capable of stepping in. “So of course, there are going to be certain lads that spend spells without playing as much as they'd like. “It's the way the game is. So, they've managed to stay ready. “I think obviously Meps (Chris Mepham) was a good example the other day, where he had a couple of games outside of the squad. “Kept himself ready to come in and put in two big performances. “It's important that everyone understands that you're always involved regardless of whether you're selected one week or not. “Things can change very quickly and you need to keep yourself in a place that you're ready to affect the games that you're selected. “I think the group are very good at that. I think we have a lot of leaders in the group who not only lead with voice but example. “Adam Smith, of course, is one – he works his socks off every day. No matter what the result is, no matter how he's feeling, no matter what we're doing, he'll always give everything. “I spoke about it a lot already, but they're a group that they don't take too much managing. “They're very good around their approach to our work and approach to each game and how we respond to negatives and positives. "So, of course we need to make sure we keep that up because we've still got six weeks to go.” O’Neil is now able to trust on a wide array of players to come in when called upon, which the head coach believes could be key as his side face three relegation rivals in the next eight days. After hosting the Hammers, Cherries travel over the county border to face bottom side Southampton on Thursday, before returning back to Dorset to host Leeds United the following Sunday. “Back a few, maybe longer than a few weeks, when we were really short and we didn't have enough senior players to fill the bench, going into a three-game week with that sort of group would have been tricky at that time,” O’Neil commented. “So now of course, there are players you can take in, take out. “As you saw at the weekend, we've been able to take Adam Smith out and put in another really good player. “So, three-game week, having more options is definitely a benefit.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie on proving doubters wrong as relegation battle is almost over for Cherries #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 23, 2023

Heavily unfancied by most, Cherries have hit form at the right time, 15 points from their last eight games bringing them six points clear of the bottom three with seven games remaining. As a newly promoted side from the Championship, Cherries were viewed as likely candidates for the drop in pre-season by sections of the national media. Discussing proving people wrong, Christie shared: “Personally, I’ve kind of felt it since the very start of the season. On pre-season, the first media, everyone was talking about relegation for us. I was thinking ‘we’ve not even kicked a ball yet’. “So that’s nice. It gives us the feeling to keep everything in house and do it for ourselves and the travelling fans. “It kind of builds that feeling of us against the world almost. I think that plays into our hands. “A good run of form right now. Hopefully we can continue it into a big game Sunday and keep building on that.” Asked how Cherries were dealing with the congested lower portion of the table, Christie replied: “Probably just trying to do what we’re doing, which is putting a run of games together. “Three big games coming up, West Ham being huge. “If you can get another positive result in two or all three of them, I think that’s when we’ll probably notice the difference. “I don’t think many teams would have thought we were going to come (to Spurs) and pick up a result like we did. “It’s nice, hopefully other teams looking at that and cursing us a little bit. Hopefully a good win to push us on and get another few wins and get us safe.” Playing other teams in the relegation scrap not only gives Cherries the opportunity to add points to their own tally, but also to deprive positional rivals of picking up key results. “I think it plays into the fact more of how the league looks, just because there are so many teams in and around it,” continued the Scot. “When you can get a result against teams (near you), obviously we felt how big the Leicester win was, just to kind of create a gap between you and others. Obviously a big game coming up. “The West Ham game marks the start of a run of fixtures against fellow sides in the relegation battle. Cherries visit Southampton next Thursday, before welcoming the division’s most out-of-form team, Leeds United, to Vitality Stadium next Sunday.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Lloyd Kelly after a stop/start season #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 21, 2023

Named skipper by previous head coach Scott Parker last term, Bristolian Kelly led Cherries as they secured promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking. However, since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the 25-year-old has been blighted by injury in what O’Neil described as a ‘stop-start season’. With Kelly dipping in and out of the team, O’Neil took the decision to name goalkeeper Neto as club captain, with Adam Smith remaining vice-captain. Kelly has enjoyed his longest spell in the team this campaign in recent weeks, recording six consecutive starts. Asked if Kelly’s improved form was in response to the removal of the captaincy, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He's still the same. Still very vocal, still trains really well. His performances have been excellent as well, since his return this time. “So really pleased with where Lloyd is. Nothing to do with the captaincy, really. I think he's just had a stop-start season and he's managed to put some real good work in back-to-back weeks recently, and you can see the benefits of that in his performances. “Lloyd, he's always been really important to us and last few weeks has sort of just been confirmation of that. “He’s an impressive defender. I thought he was very impressive last season in a group that were chasing promotion. “He’s had a tricky season, sort of stop-start a little bit, injury-wise. But whenever he’s injured, you’re keen to get him back very quickly, which shows how important he is to the group and the team.” During Kelly’s time on the south coast, he has been used as both a left-back and centre-half. Primarily trusted as a centre-back under Parker, his recent run in the side has seen him used as a full-back, with O’Neil comfortable with Kelly in either role. “I think he can do both,” he continued. “We use him quite low in it as well. “We generally have one full-back high and one low and the low one has suited Lloyd. “But he can play both. I don’t see any issue with him playing left-side centre-back or left-back. I think he has real good physical attributes that can help him with both. “We’re always working with him on improving the attributes that he needs to play in both positions. It’s a real good quality to have that you can be an expert at both. We try to get him to that level.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil insists Bournemouth are ‘still in a relegation scrap’ #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 21, 2023

Before wins away at Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, Cherries sat in the relegation zone. However, those victories have now moved O’Neil’s men six points clear of the bottom three with seven matches remaining. They host West Ham United on Sunday (2pm). Reflecting on the last-gasp 3-2 victory at Tottenham, O’Neil said: “It was a big three points for us, of course. “They all are, throughout the season. But the closer you get to the end, they feel bigger. “And being away from home at a big club was obviously a big win for us, and a big performance as well to go with it. “I’m looking forward to getting back home. “We’ve obviously had two away games on the trot and it will be a very tough game against a West Ham side that can be stubborn and hard to break down. “We need a good atmosphere here on Sunday and will try and make sure the lads are in a good place to go and attack the game and make the Vitality what it can be when it gets bouncing.” Asked if securing three wins in a row would make him feel confident of avoiding relegation, boss O’Neil added: “I’m just trying to win the next game. “Whether it’s three on the trot or not, it doesn’t make any difference. We need more points, definitely, 33 is not going to be enough. “As we were two weeks ago before we beat Leicester and Tottenham, just desperate to add another three. “The focus hasn’t changed, it hasn’t switched. We understand that we’re still in a scrap to make sure that we’re in this division next season. “So this week is going to be a big one for us. It starts on Sunday where three points would give us another step towards us achieving what we set out to.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on West Ham and their European achievements #AFCB #WHUFC

By Kanak Chauhan April 21, 2023

Hammers face Belgian side Gent in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals this evening (kick-off 8pm), with the tie delicately poised after West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw away on the continent last week. David Moyes rested numerous players for the trip to Belgium with a view of playing a stronger team in their clash with league leaders Arsenal, the decision paying off as the Hammers came from 2-0 behind to draw 2-2 with the Gunners on Sunday. Cherries host West Ham on Sunday at the Vitality Stadium, with kick-off at 2pm. Discussing West Ham’s game with Gent, O’Neil shared: “It’s a home game for them, it's a chance for them to win a big game in front of their fans. "They had a good performance in front of their home fans on Sunday, against Arsenal. “They've got world class players that are used to playing in big games. “This will be a big game for them come Sunday, so I'll be very surprised if West Ham turn up here anything less than 100 per cent full throttle, ready to go because it's obviously a very important game for them as well as it is us. “So I don't see us having any advantage over that. "I think our real focus is on arriving on Sunday in the best shape we can possibly be and try and ask West Ham as many questions as possible.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ryan Christie believes Dango Ouattara will be a big player for Bournemouth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 19, 2023

Ouattara made an eye-catching start to his Cherries career, providing an assist in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest just days after his £20million arrival from FC Lorient. The 21-year-old also set up goals in games against Newcastle United and Liverpool, named in the starting XI for 11 games in succession. However, the Burkina Faso international had struggled to replicate that form in recent weeks, substituted at half-time against Fulham, before then being taken off during the first half at Leicester City earlier this month. A week later, Ouattara began a Cherries game on the bench for the first time, only to be introduced with 11 minutes to play to devastating effect. The winger scored the dramatic winner, deep into stoppage time as Cherries secured a 3-2 win over Spurs to massively boost their survival bid. That goal, his first for the club, came shortly after Arnaut Danjuma looked to have rescued a point for the hosts. Asked what it was like watching the final minutes unfold whilst watching on from the bench having been substituted, Christie told the Daily Echo: “A big day, a big win. Honestly, I genuinely think we deserved to win. “Obviously frustrated with the first goal and then we dominated the whole first half. The second half was a bit different, it was a bit sticky. “But I think we did well, they didn’t really create too much, although they obviously dominated possession second half. “Their second goal I think is offside, but we don’t get it. And then Dango comes up with a bit of genius, chops inside and goal. Buzzing.” Put to him most people would have thought Ouattara would take the shot on on his favoured left foot, rather than cut back inside past Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and slot in right-footed, Christie added: “So did I and I think everybody did! “He chops inside and what a finish as well, especially so late in the game. I’m buzzing for him. “What a way for you to get your first goal. I’m delighted for him, delighted for all the boys. “I thought the defenders – Chris Mepham was ridiculous, so good. Same with Jack Stephens. Because that’s their main threat obviously, (Heung-min) Son and (Harry) Kane. And we dealt with them pretty well.” Asked how big a boost that goal will give Ouattara going forwards, the Scotland international said: “Absolutely. What a time, especially with the run-in as well coming up now. “With the attributes he’s got, he’s going to be a big player for us. “Hopefully he can kick on now as well between now and the end of the season.” Jaidon Anthony, who replaced Christie during the second half, said of Ouattara: “I think it (his quality) has been clear to see from the moment he came in really. “Obviously last week (at Leicester) it probably wasn’t his best game, I think he’d be the first to say that. “But he’s been top for us and I’m very happy he managed to get the goal that he deserves, because he’s helped us so much already.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Christie think arriving late may be good for Cherries to win games #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 18, 2023

Due to a traffic incident on the A406, Cherries’ team coach got stuck as they travelled from their hotel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They finally arrived at 2.15pm, an hour later than planned. Kick-off was pushed back from 3pm to 3.15pm, with boss Gary O’Neil keen for it to be delayed even further to reduce the risk of his players picking up injuries. Cherries fell behind, but eventually emerged 3-2 victors. Discussing the pre-match delay, Christie told the Daily Echo: “I felt fine. There was a bit of traffic or an accident or something on the way. “I was happy enough with the delayed kick-off. I didn’t want to wait too much longer than that. “I actually prefer having less time going into a game. “I think it happened at QPR last season and we played well as well. So no problems. “Maybe we should be later to games more often!” Jaidon Anthony, who replaced Christie during the second half, added: “It was madness before the game. “We were sat there still for a very long time and sort of didn’t feel like we were going to get there. “It was obviously a quick warm-up and I think the boys did well to regain focus and switch on to the job we had at hand.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reflects on ‘rollercoaster’ victory against Tottenham #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 16, 2023

Cherries picked up a first ever away win against Spurs, thanks to a brilliant last-gasp winner from substitute Dango Ouattara. Having trailed early on to a Son Heung-min strike, Cherries turned the contest on its head with goals from Matias Vina and Dominic Solanke. Former Cherries star Arnaut Danjuma then popped up with an equaliser for the hosts in the 88th minute, only for Ouattara to score in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a stunning 3-2 victory. Asked how his heart is after a crazy finale in north London, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “A rollercoaster of last 10 minutes, which was obviously very up and down. “But I’m okay. I’ve settled down now. I’ll enjoy this evening, but have already switched focus to how I get the group ready for the next one. I’m fine.” The win lifts Cherries up to 14th in the Premier League table, now six points clear of the relegation zone with seven games to play. O’Neil’s men have now won four of their last seven matches, and face three other clubs battling relegation in their next three in West Ham, Southampton and Leeds United. Asked how Cherries have strung together their recent run, O’Neil added: “Fine margins on results. I think even today, real fine margins. “I thought the second goal they scored should’ve been given offside and then obviously we score a very late winner. “So fine margins, but the key from our point of view is we’ve kept performances at a real good level you give yourself a chance then, if you keep sticking to what you believe in and you keep performing, hopefully you pick up enough results to make sure that we achieve the goal that we set out to in August.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on Jordan Zemura’s decision to leave AFC Bournemouth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 15, 2023

Despite having played a key role this season, Zemura was earlier this week informed he would no longer be allowed to train with the club’s first team, instead being sent to work with the development squad. That decision came as a result of Italian club Udinese informing Cherries they were in talks with the Zimbabwean over signing him a free transfer. Then on Wednesday, the Serie A outfit confirmed Zemura would join them in the summer, when his contract at Cherries expired. The Daily Echo understands Cherries’ final contract offer to the 23-year-old was made eight weeks ago after drawn out negotiations, with the proposed deal in excess of £30,000 per week, alongside additional bonuses and achievable salary rises. This offer, one of numerous the club made over the past 15 months, was not been acknowledged by either Zemura or his representatives. It is understood Cherries had not been officially informed that a deal had been struck with Udinese, finding out when it was announced on social media. Asked if he feels let down by Zemura for the way his departure has transpired, Cherries head coach O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “All of it is out now, so you all have a real clear picture of the situation. “I don’t feel any way about it. As a footballer you have decisions to make and you make them and you do what you think is best for yourself. “My responsibility is to do what I think is best for the team and the group and the club. “It is the same with any situation that I deal with really. No real feelings about it, just what is best for the group and how do we give ourselves the best chance of staying up at the end of the season.” Asked if Zemura’s situation had been a distraction to him and the squad, O’Neil insisted: “No. Nothing will distract me and the group from the task at hand, I can guarantee you that. “There will be no shift in focus. It will be 100 per cent, from the moment that I took over until the end of the season.” O’Neil added: “I think you guys know most of it now, if not all of it. I think it’s all out. “The club have always been really aligned in how we see it. “Jordan will move on and play for another club next season. As always, my focus is on the group and making sure that everybody is ready for the weekend. “We’ve made decision that it’s best at this moment for Jordan to train with the under-21s and that will remain until it doesn’t.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil calls for more work from team as they slowly climb up #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 15, 2023

Cherries have picked up four wins in their last eight Premier League outings, taking them to 30 points from 30 top-flight games this campaign. Despite frequently being labelled as certs for relegation, Cherries sit above the dotted line, poised in 15th place with eight games to go. However, O’Neil and his charges are well aware that they are not safe just yet. O’Neil shared: “We've had a decent little run, I think, but we haven't achieved anything yet. “There's probably still a few people that think we could still go down to the Championship, so there's still an awful lot of work to be done from this moment. “We have eight very big games, starting with the one tomorrow against another very good side. “The points tally over the last eight has been decent, especially considering the teams that we had to play in there - Brighton, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, some real tough fixtures in there. “So to put the points on the board that we have has been good, but still an awful lot of work that needs to be done from this point on. Asked what has caused Cherries’ uptick in form, O’Neil responded: “We've kept working. We haven't really changed too much, as in the way we work or the way we play. “We haven't changed anything, actually. “We've just managed to improve it. “We've had a lot of players come back from injury and we've signed a few, so the group is stronger, there's a little bit more competition for places, we have more depth. “So in that spell after the World Cup, we were short. “We're not so short at the moment, so we've been very competitive in most of our last few matches and we are looking to do the same again tomorrow.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Neto on teams ‘spirit and fight’ as relegation looms for the club #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 14, 2023

Gary O’Neil’s charges leapt out of the bottom three last weekend following a 1-0 victory over their relegation rivals Leicester. They face Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Asked what he was expecting ahead of the clash, the shot stopper told the Daily Echo: “I expect to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight until the end for the points. “I think we have to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight, because if you believe in yourselves and we fight until the end then we can play with all teams. So we have to keep this mentality.”A summer signing from Barcelona, Neto was named as club captain in February, boss O’Neil hailing his keeper’s influence amongst the squad. “To become a captain,” began Neto. “I think doesn’t depend about the player, but depends about the environment, the people who have to make the choice. “Really proud about it. And not just because I'm the captain, but I will always give 100 per cent for this team, for my teammates and try to find the victories in all our games.” Cherries’ transfer business this season has seen a host of new players from a wide array of cultures and countries arrive, with multiple different languages spoken in the dressing room. Having played in Italy and Spain, Neto can speak four languages – another reason why he was named skipper. He shared: “It’s just Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and English. “I'm fighting with English, but I can survive! “I think I can help. I can transmit the message for the players.” In one of his first acts as captain, Neto organised for the players to have a barbecue after a day of clay pigeon shooting. He explained: “From South America, our culture is when we are to be close, we always use the barbecue, to bring people close. “So we try to keep the people close. We try to organise this barbecue, this moment together because I think it was the right moment. And it was very nice. “We enjoyed the guys, enjoyed the moment.” Not only popular in his own dressing room, Neto has friends all over the Premier League. After making his Premier League debut against Wolves in August, former Barcelona teammate Adama Traore searched out for the goalkeeper in order to have a proper catch-up. There will be further familiar faces and reunions on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with Neto having briefly played with countrymen Emerson Royal (Barcelona) and Lucas Moura (Brazil), as well as French centre-back Clement Lenglet. “I have some friends there,” commented the Brazilian. “Very close with Clement Lenglet. But now we have a good week, I think, to relax and prepare for this game because it's another final for us.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admires Chris Mepham for good performance against Leicester City #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 12, 2023

Having played a bit-part role for much of last season, Mepham was a key figure for Cherries during the early months of this campaign. He missed just eight minutes of the club’s first 14 Premier League matches of this campaign, also penning a new contract in September, tying him to the club until 2025. However, following the World Cup break, during which time Mepham competed with Wales in Qatar, he has found himself in and out of the side. That culminated in a four-game run across March and April where the centre-back played no minutes, not even making the bench for games against Fulham and Brighton. Jack Stephens and Marcos Senesi have been the preferred defensive pair, with January signing Illia Zabarnyi the cover on the bench. But following an injury to Senesi, Mepham was brought out of the cold and straight back into action, impressing in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City, with a couple of vital defensive interventions. Discussing the 25-year-old’s performance at King Power Stadium, after his spell watching from the stands, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “It is because of his reaction to being left out really. “We had everyone fit, pretty much, and we’re going to have to leave two big players out from squads at that moment. “It happened to be Meps for a number of reasons – tactical, what the opposition might bring, some of the other balance that we needed. “He reacted excellently from that moment. “He trained incredibly well last week and the way he approached it sort of made my decision for me (on Saturday), with who we put in to replace Marcos. “You only get a performance (on Saturday) like that if you’ve done the work. “Meps has kept himself ready and when his opportunity has come, he’s able to show what a good player he is.” Cherries climbed out of the relegation zone with victory at Leicester, the fourth time they have collected maximum points in their last eight fixtures. Asked what the mood was like in the dressing room at full-time on Saturday, O’Neil said: “They’re happy in there, they’re enjoying themselves. “A few cups a tea, a bit of music on. They’re having a good time!” “The lads have won four of the last eight games in the Premier League, so they’re in a good spot.” Cherries return to action on Saturday, with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur (3pm).

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on win over Leicester City in relegation battle #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 10, 2023

Restored to the starting XI following the injury to Marcos Senesi, Welsh international Mepham put in an assured performance at centre-half to help Cherries defeat the Foxes at the King Power on Saturday. After being omitted from the squad for the fixtures directly preceding the trip to Leicester, a win over Fulham and defeat to Brighton, the former Brentford man seamlessly slotted back into the side. Discussing the result with BBC Radio Solent, Mepham began: “It's a massive win. Although we lost last game, I think we're in a good place at the minute. “I think even against Brighton, we caused them some problems, probably not as much as what we would have wanted. “Coming here today, we know it's a massive game and it was important that we were at our 100 per cent best to get anything from the game. “And I thought from minute one, we stamped our authority. “I thought first half especially, we controlled the game, I thought it was in complete control. “And then second half, we knew they were going to come out with a reaction and it was just a case of, could we sustain that pressure and limit them to a few chances. “And I thought we'd done that very well. “I think any game’s obviously important, but when you're playing teams around you, there's a lot of people that see them as six pointers. “It is important and like I said, I think we can enjoy this week. I thought we worked really hard (against Leicester) and now we just need to make sure we keep our foot on the pedal and go again next Saturday.”A peripheral figure under Scott Parker in the Championship last term, Mepham re-established himself as a first-team regular before again losing his spot to Jack Stephens following the break for the World Cup in November. Asked about the challenges of being thrown straight back into the thick of it following a spell out of the team, Mepham replied: “It’s tough. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and mentally, it's tough to go from sat in the stands to starting a game. “But I think one thing I've learned from this when I've been here before is that it's so important just to stay ready. “ I think you drop your standards in training, it will show in the match when you do get called upon. “So I think the way I've gone about it and the way I've trained since being left out of squads, I think it's given me an opportunity to, one, be in the squad and two, do well when I'm called upon. “And I think it's important that everyone sees it like that, however frustrating it is.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Bournemouth boss expected more ‘comfortable’ win against Leicester City in a relegation 6 pointer #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 9, 2023

Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil says his team's win over Leicester City on Saturday…

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reaction to Bournemouth win over Leicester #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 9, 2023

Cherries lifted themselves back out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at King Power Stadium, thanks to Philip Billing’s first-half strike. The visitors had plenty more opportunities to kill off the contest against their struggling hosts, before having to survive some nervy moments in the closing stages. Discussing his team’s display, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I was pleased with a lot of it. I think it should’ve been more comfortable probably, score-line wise. “But the by-product of it staying at 1-0 meant that in the end, Leicester are going to throw caution to the wind and you’re going to have to show a resilience and a gritty determination to make sure you leave here with three points that you definitely deserve. The lads managed to do that. “I was pleased with the football, up until maybe the hour mark and the chances we created. We just needed to be more clinical and then it could’ve been a lot more comfortable.” Reflecting on the chances squandered to double the lead, O’Neil added: “I can’t remember them exactly now, but it felt like there were some moments where you were feeling that’s got to go in that one. “And then the rebound was there for us as well. We played well. “We played through our structure very well. The lads understood it well today. “And then when we had to, because we didn’t take our chances, we managed to show, as we know the lads will already, they gave absolutely everything to a man to ensure that we came away with three points.” He added: “There is still work to be done, because we need to make sure that we take our chances. “On another day there could be a slip, there could be a set-play goal, a deflection, something that could happen that meant we only leave with one point, which would’ve been a travesty really from how comfortable we were.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil explains Dango Ouattara’s withdrawal against Leicester #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 9, 2023

Ouattara struggled at King Power Stadium, with Marcus Tavernier warming up on the sidelines from early in the contest. O’Neil made the switch on 38 minutes, Tavernier coming on for Ouattara on the left wing. Two minutes later, Philip Billing scored what proved to be the only goal of the contest. Quizzed on why he made the early switch, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “It was just a tactical thing. I just felt it would be better for the team.” Asked if he regretted starting Ouattara, given Tavernier was seen out warming up early in the contest, O’Neil said: “I hadn’t asked Tav to warm up. I’m guessing the subs were warming up because they were just warming up. “Obviously we have to be careful with Tav at the moment. “I just decided at 33 minutes or whenever it was that wasn’t the time to be careful with Tav anymore and played him for maybe slightly longer than we should have. “But I felt there was a real opportunity for us today to grasp a big win. “So, nothing against Dango at all. He works his socks off, always. He’s an honest lad. “Obviously he’s only just arrived. He’s had an incredible impact on the group. His number of assists, his work-rate. Today I just felt like Tav would be able to give us something down that side.” O’Neil added: “I felt there was an opportunity of us in that first half. I felt we needed to show a little bit more of an urgency, even though we had control. “That was my thinking behind the substitution. Tav was generally only meant to come on at half-time, or later. “I just felt we needed some urgency and punish Leicester in that first half really, where we had so much control. “Because at half time they can fix a few things and the second half doesn’t always look the same. So it was important we managed to get a goal at that point.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes Marcus Tavernier is getting closer to starting line up #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 8, 2023

Following a second spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, Tavernier returned with a bang against Fulham last weekend. Introduced off the bench, the former Middlesbrough man smashed in a stunning equaliser as Cherries went on to win 2-1. Tavernier was again named among the substitutes on Tuesday night, coming on for the final half an hour of the 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. Asked how close the 24-year-old now is to starting a game for Cherries, O’Neil said: “He’s closer. He’s had two decent sub appearances, so we’ll see how he’s feeling in the morning. “Hopefully we can get him in the starting XI soon.” Asked if he is erring on the side of caution to avoid Tavernier suffering a setback, O’Neil added: “We have people at the club who are specialised in that area. “So of course I’ll listen to the advice and speak to Tav himself, see how he’s feeling and try and make a real good decision on it. “Everyone would love Tav to have been available for 90 minutes in the last two games, of course. “But it’s also important that Tav is available for the rest of the season. “We need to handle it correctly, but he’s come through another good week. “There’s potential that he could play a big part at Leicester tomorrow.” Cherries’ head coach continued: “There’s a lot that he can bring that could be a difference. “The group has been doing okay already, but he’s a lovely addition to add to it. “He’s a great lad. He brings enthusiasm, a buzz around the place, as well as his quality, his athleticism. “He’ll be a big player for us, of course. He’s getting fitter by the day. He’ll be back in full throttle in no time at all.” Asked how much of a setback losing to Brighton was ahead of the big trip to fellow relegation-threatened Leicester, O’Neil said: “Performance-wise, you can win Premier League matches performing like we did on Tuesday night.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Bournemouth boss makes Leicester City prediction ahead of crunch relegation battle #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 6, 2023

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil expects Leicester City to be "scrapping for everything" when…

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Lloyd Kelly reveals Bournemouth squad were angry after Brighton loss #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 6, 2023

Following back-to-back home wins over Liverpool and Fulham, Cherries could not repeat the trick against Roberto De Zerbi’s in-form Seagulls. Brighton have now lost just one of 15 games in 2023, moving to within four points of the Premier League’s top four and booking their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals along the way. Goals from teenagers Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso were enough to defeat Gary O’Neil’s men on Tuesday night, the loss plunging Cherries back into the relegation zone with nine games to play. Reflecting on the defeat at Vitality Stadium, Kelly said: “It was a tough game. We knew coming into the game it was going to be tough. “We know how they play, the philosophy that their manager wants to play. “I think it was a difficult first half, but saying that, we applied pressure second half and when you’re chasing the game like we were, you’re going to open yourself up to them maybe scoring a second. “But of course we’re angry at ourselves for the result and we’ve got to turn it around.” Asked if there was frustration over missed chances, with Hamed Traore squandering the clearest opening and Dominic Solanke also going close on multiple occasions, Kelly added: “For sure. When you look at the xG (expected goals) throughout the game, I think we were able to get in the final third and maybe it was just the last pass or picking someone out in the final area, the final third. “I think we got into those areas, but it’s just that final decision.” Of Cherries’ final nine games this season, six will come against clubs they are directly battling against to avoid the drop. That starts this Saturday, when O’Neil takes his side to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City. Asked if belief remains high among the squad of staying in the Premier League, Kelly insisted: “Yes, of course. “We’re disappointed with the result now, but it doesn’t waver our minds at all to be honest. “We know we have the quality to stay up this year and we’re going to give it our all until the very last game, if it comes to that.” After a spell out of the side due to injury, Kelly has started the last four matches at left-back. In February, boss Gary O’Neil opted to replace the 24-year-old as captain of the club, with experienced goalkeeper Neto instead taking the armband.

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Neto believes Brighton’s Evan Ferguson goal at Bournemouth was ‘really strange’ after defeat against them #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 6, 2023

Cherries fell back into the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat to Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls on Tuesday night. Brighton took the lead on 28 minutes, in-form striker Evan Ferguson improvising to turn home Kaoru Mitoma’s low cross. Julio Enciso then made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage-time, after both sides squandered earlier opportunities. Reflecting on the defeat, goalkeeper Neto told BBC Radio Solent: “Of course a little bit disappointed because we created many chances and had many opportunities. “I think until the end they (Brighton) didn’t create a lot. Of course, they always had the ball because that is their style. “But the three or four opportunities that we created, if we score, the game could be completely different. “We have to look forward, we have to keep going, we can’t stop here. We know what we are fighting for. It was difficult, they are a good team.” On Republic of Ireland international Ferguson’s opener, Neto said: “They scored a really strange goal, their first goal. “Then we start from 1-0 and create one or two and didn’t score. That feeling of the situation that we are living is not the best, but we have to keep going. “We created many chances. If we create these chances in another game, 100 per cent we will have the possibility to win. We depend just on ourselves. “The performance I think was very good. Our team ran and gave it 100 per cent, so we are frustrated about it. “Brighton are a good team. Not all teams play like them, they keep the ball. It is not good to play against them. We spent a lot physically and we had to run too much. “Saturday is a different game. It is a big final for us.” Cherries head to another side in the relegation zone in Leicester City on Saturday (3pm).