Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

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.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

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.”  
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

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.”  
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke’s reaction to Fulham win #AFCB

April 3, 2023
On a goal drought of 10 Premier League games without scoring, Solanke helped bundle the ball over the line in the 79th minute. Although Fulham defender Antonee Robinson seemed to get the final touch, as of the time of writing, Cherries’ talismanic striker has been credited with the goal, his fourth in the league this term. Cherries had trailed at the break thanks to Andrea Pereira’s 16th minute opener, before the hosts restored parity via a long-range Marcus Tavernier curler. Asked if he was claiming the winning goal, Solanke told the Daily Echo: “For sure - I need to take it! “So, yeah, I'm happy to get that goal, especially as it turned out to be the winner. “I think we deserved to win today. So, yes, it's a really good result for us.”In his last four starts against Fulham, Solanke has scored on each occasion, his goals effectively earning his team six points. He has only drawn a blank once against the Cottagers, in his first meeting with the London side, a 29 minute cameo appearance during the 2018/19 season. Asked if he felt more confident going into matchups with the Cottagers, Solanke replied: “I think so. “It just shows that, I've done it before so I can do it again. “But I think every game, obviously I look to try and score, but obviously my record against Fulham is decent, so I'm happy to add to that.”After a sub-par first 45 minutes, Cherries required significant changes at the break to spark the comeback, Gary O'Neil introducing Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie to the fray. “I think the second half we came out on top, started really fast,” continued Solanke. “Tavs (Marcus Tavernier) scored a screamer, got us back into the game and we built on it from there. “We're not in a position to sulk if we go 1-0 down, we need to make sure that we react. As soon as we came into the second half, we was on the front foot and we showed it.” When probed for head coach O’Neil’s approach to the half-time team talk, Solanke revealed: “Not too heated. I think it's important that we need to look at what we need to do better. “Obviously, we tell each other what we need to do better, but it's never a bad vibe in there. “But like I said, we're not in a position to be nice and take a step back right now, so, we need to carry on like that.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil says No blame on Dominic Solanke after big miss at Villa #AFCB

March 20, 2023
Cherries were beaten 3-0 at Villa Park, with Solanke squandering the side’s biggest chance, failing to convert a one-on-one with the visitors just one goal behind. Villa went on to score twice late on to condemn O’Neil’s men to defeat, which sees them slip down to 19th in the table. Striker Solanke is now on his longest goal drought for two years, having failed to find the net in each of his last six appearances. He went eight games without a goal from January to March 2021, under Jason Tindall and then Jonathan Woodgate. His last goal came in an FA Cup loss to Burnley in January, with his run without a Premier League goal now at 10 matches, since netting in defeat at Leeds in November. The 25-year-old looked like ending that drought when latching onto a Hamed Traore pass and racing through on goal on Saturday. However, he delayed his shot, allowing former Cherries defender Tyrone Mings to get back and produce a sliding block. Asked if that miss highlighted a lack of confidence in Solanke’s game at present, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I’ve not seen it back. Obviously the view from the bench is tricky on that one. “But we created a few opportunities. “We got Dom in behind a few times, got Dango (Ouattara) in behind a few times. “At this point in the season and the level we’re playing at, we need to be better in those situations. “Aston Villa were more clinical than us. They probably didn’t arrive in situations too many times more than we did.” Asked later how big of a concern Solanke’s lack of recent goals is, O’Neil added: “We need to work with Dom, of course. “There was a lot out there I thought we could’ve done better with. “There were individual performances where I would expect better from them. “But it’s always as a group. So there’s no blame on Dom. Everyone has weekends when you’re slightly below your best. “It’s the way it is. We stick together. The group understand it fully, we need to bounce back again, make sure we keep creating chances. “My job is to work with the players and make sure we are better at taking them.” One-time England international Solanke, who netted 30 goals last season, has notched just four times in 24 appearances across league and cup this term. His overall record in the Premier League, for Liverpool and Cherries, reads played 85, scored seven.
Pep Guardiola
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s praise for AFC Bournemouth duo Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing #MCFC

February 25, 2023
The Premier League champions head to Vitality Stadium tomorrow, looking to extend their run of wins against Cherries to 13. Cherries have never got the better of City in the club's history, but have showed promising signs in recent weeks with a draw against Newcastle United and victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Asked for his assessment of Gary O'Neil's men, Guardiola said: “I saw many good things I like about Bournemouth. “They got good results. The game against Wolves. They draw against Newcastle, with how tough it is. The defeat at Brighton but in the last minute. “They are so intense. If they do it away, imagine at home - so intense in high pressing. Really, really good. "After they defend compact, they want to try and play to play in different shapes. “They link really well with (Dominic) Solanke, the wingers and (Philip) Billing has huge quality. “My people help me a lot to discover what they do and I am quite impressed. “They do really good things. “I had the feeling that this season until the end, for all the clubs not just for us, that every game will be so tough. I don’t know why but that is the feeling I have this season, particularly.
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke speaks after return from injury #AFCB

February 15, 2023
Cherries’ talismanic striker had missed the previous three Premier League fixtures prior to the 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the weekend after picking up a knee issue in training. Boss Gary O’Neil described the incident, sharing how the striker had jarred his knee with no one around him. Speaking about his return from injury, Solanke told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, it was a bit of a freak accident in training, which was annoying. “Bit of a scare, but luckily didn't end up being too bad. “It was just nice to get back (out there).”It could have been a goalscoring return for the former Liverpool man, with his flicked backheel cleared off the line by Kieran Trippier late on. “Yeah, I've scored a few like that,” began the 25-year-old. “The way it fell to me, in those moments, that's probably the most comfortable way to try and put in the back of the net. But I was unlucky today. “Didn't expect him to be on the line, but it was good defending.” Aside from his attacking threat, Solanke was frequently seen dropping back and helping his side regain possession. He explained: “I think that's just part of the game, really. “Especially in the Premier League. We know that every game is going to be difficult. “We need everybody attacking and defending. So, yeah, I'm happy to play my part. That's it.” Brought to the Vitality Stadium by Eddie Howe in January 2019, Solanke has gone on to establish himself as a key player for Cherries. With his former boss in the opposing dugout managing Newcastle, the ex-Chelsea man was pleased for Howe to receive a ‘deserved’ welcome. He restarted: “I don't really need to say what he done for the club. “He's a hero here, so for him to come back, and get that welcome, it was deserved.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Dominic Solanke on AFC Bournemouth’s poor run of form #AFCB

January 10, 2023
DOMINIC Solanke insists “we’re all in it together” as Cherries look to find a way out of their recent rut, admitting: “We’re not in the best of spots right now.” Since the World Cup break, Cherries have been in wretched form, losing all five of their fixtures. That has seen them slip to 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, as well as being knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. The latest loss was perhaps the most concerning, falling 4-2 at home to Championship Burnley at Vitality Stadium to exit the FA Cup at the third round stage. The results and performances have seen some fans questioning if Gary O’Neil is the right man for the job, despite having only been installed as permanent boss in November. Prior to that, he had 12 games as interim head coach following the sacking of Scott Parker in August, presiding over four wins, four draws and four defeats. Discussing the idea of O’Neil likely taking the brunt of the spotlight for the recent results, Solanke told the Daily Echo: “As a collective we’re a team, we’re a club. “Manager or players, we’re all in it together. “There’s no blame on either side. “We just all need look what we need to do better and use that to improve.” Solanke was one of two scorers for Cherries in the loss to Burnley, heading in his fourth goal of the campaign shortly after half-time. But the hosts continually shot themselves in the foot whenever they looked like getting back into the cup tie, with individual errors leading to three of the Clarets’ four goals. Reflecting on the latest loss, Solanke said: “Another difficult one to take. “We’re not in the best of spots right now. “Obviously (on Saturday) we made a few errors which resulted in goals, which can happen in football. “We know, especially the position we’re in right now, we need to cut those out as soon as possible. “It’s another game that we’re going to have to just look back and work towards next weekend. “We know they (Burnley) are flying at the moment, so they were always going to come here with great confidence. “They capitalised on our mistakes.” Asked if a lack of confidence among the team was a factor in the individual defensive errors, Solanke added: “Maybe, but these things happen in football. Anyone can make mistakes. “We know that we need to cut the mistakes out. “It’s not where we want to be. “Especially in the Premier League, we know that we can’t be doing that. We’ll look at it back and work to cut them out.” He continued: “We know Burnley are in the Championship, but like I said, they’re flying. When you win a lot of games, you’re always confident. “We see this stuff happening in the cup all the time, lower league teams beating higher division teams. That’s just part of football. “But the cup is the cup. We need to focus on the Premier League now. “We know that in the next game we need to get some points and that’s what we’ll be looking forward to do.” Cherries head to Brentford on Saturday (5.30pm).
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil unsure on seriousness of Dom Solanke injury – with striker leaving West Ham in a protective boot #AFCB

October 25, 2022
GARY O’Neil insisted he did not know the seriousness of Dominic Solanke’s ankle injury picked up at West Ham – with the striker seen leaving London Stadium in a protective boot. Solanke picked up the injury while trying to get a shot off on the counter-attack and being challenged by Thilo Kehrer. He was replaced by Kieffer Moore shortly before West Ham found their opener, when Kurt Zouma controversially headed in after what looked a handball by Kehrer in the build-up following a corner. Cherries went on to lose 2-0 in the capital, with Said Benrahma slotting in a penalty following a handball by Jordan Zemura late on. Solanke has registered two goals and three assists in 10 top-flight games this campaign, following up from 29 Championship goals last season. Giving an injury update, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Dom Solanke had some pain in his ankle having rolled it. I don’t know the seriousness of it.” He added: “I think on leaving in a boot that is normal for an ankle injury. That doesn’t mean it’s serious or not – it’s very, very early to know what it is and what it isn’t. “Obviously, we will be desperate for it to be as short as possible.” Cherries also lost goalkeeper Neto to a leg injury in the capital, with Mark Travers coming on at half-time in his place. The Dorset outfit have also been without captain Lloyd Kelly for six games with an ankle problem. O’Neil added: “I think to come to a place like this… to go through the past six weeks, already missing Lloyd Kelly who is massive for us at this level. Huge. Played a huge part in our promotion, one of the best defenders at the club. “To be without Lloyd, to lose your goalie, which always can make a huge impact and the prep you’ve done, to lose Dom who is equally as massive as Lloyd Kelly. The goals he’s scored for us last year, the work he does for us this year. “To go in 1-0 down, with another VAR check against us, no Lloyd Kelly, no Dom Solanke, have to change the goalie. To come out and put in a performance like they did second half takes a huge, huge effort. “Of course, people will talk about the result and it’s a results business but if you have a group like that, you always have a chance and we did, we had a big chance right until the second goal.” Cherries are back in action at home against Tottenham on Saturday (3pm).
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Dominic Solanke reflects on goals against Leicester City in previous Premier League meeting #LCFC #AFCB

October 8, 2022
CHERRIES star Dominic Solanke highlighted the side’s last meeting with Leicester City as a “turning point in his career”, with his brace against the Foxes in 2020 helping to kick-start his stint on the south coast. Arriving at the Vitality Stadium in January of 2019 with one goal in 21 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, Solanke drew a blank for 38 top-flight fixtures at Cherries before breaking his duck in a 4-1 victory over Leicester City. Whilst the win did not lead to a late revival in Cherries’ survival hopes, with Eddie Howe’s men relegated at Goodison Park two weeks later, it marked a turn in fortunes for the one-time England international. Solanke notched in the 3-1 victory away at Everton, before knocking in 44 goals in 86 Championship appearances across the last two campaigns. Reflecting on his side’s previous encounter with Brendan Rodgers’s charges, Solanke commented: “Yeah, that game of course was special. “My first two goals in the Premier League for Bournemouth. It was definitely a special game. “I probably say after that game I found my feet and confidence a bit and from then I've scored a lot of goals. “It was probably a turning point in my career.” Leicester became the last side in this year’s Premier League to record a win this campaign, emphatically firing past east Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest 4-0 on Monday evening. Prior to the drubbing of Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees, the Foxes had sat bottom of the pile, with just one point from their opening seven fixtures. Speaking before Leicester’s win on Monday night, Solanke shared: “Of course there's no easy game in the Premier League and obviously they’re not in the best of spells right now, but we know they're top side. “A lot of top players in that team.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStiries- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke pleased with Brentford point #AFCB

October 2, 2022
CHERRIES striker Dominic Solanke is content to see his side picking up a steady stream of points – stressing “those points add up”. Cherries made it nine points from their opening eight Premier League fixtures with a 0-0 draw at home to Brentford. Neither side were at the best, especially when it came to creating chances, with the most notable moments of the game two VAR checks for possible Cherries penalties. No spot-kicks were awarded, with the closest chance a Jefferson Lerma header cleared off the line. Solanke told the Daily Echo: “Firstly, it’s another point on the board, which is a positive thing. “We know they're a good side and we knew that if we stuck to our game plan that we could have got something from the game. “Obviously we're disappointed we didn’t get the win, but we’ll take the draw.” Cherries sit three points and six places above the relegation zone, with Solanke pleased with his side’s early season efforts to date. “We're just taking it game by game at the moment, pick up as many points as we can. “We’re unbeaten in four now, which is always good. “Obviously quite a few draws, but in the Premier League those points add up.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Dominic Solanke being compared to Ivan Toney #AFCB

September 30, 2022
GARY O’Neil understands why some might compared Brentford’s Ivan Toney to Cherries’ Dominic Solanke, but the interim head coach stressed the pair were “very different”. Toney grabbed 30 goals as Thomas Frank’s Bees earnt promotion from the Championship in 2021, with Solanke nearing that total by firing Cherries up last year with a final league tally of 29. Whilst Solanke earnt a first England cap as a 20-year-old in 2017, Toney’s fine start to the season was recognised by Gareth Southgate in the recent international break, the former Peterborough man called up for the Nations League fixtures. When asked if Solanke could take anything from Toney’s rise from the Championship to the England squad, O’Neil responded: “I think they're very different. “I think Dom is extremely highly driven already, is a real good professional, works hard at his own game, knows his strengths, works hard on stuff that he needs to improve. “He's massive for this group, so I understand why people will talk about them together as in a comparison, but they're very different. “And Dom is a talented young English centre-forward. “So should you aspire to one day being in and around the England squad? “Yeah, of course. I think all young talented English footballers do, and Dom will probably be no different, but yeah, I'm delighted to have Dom as part of our group. “He's massive for us.” O’Neil also had specific praise for Ivan Toney, before stressing that Brentford had numerous threats and consistent performers. He continued: “Obviously he's had a fantastic start to the season, scored some really good goals, was a big part of what they did last season as well. “He’s a good player for sure. There’s not too many number nines like him around anymore either, so not something that centre-backs come up against as often as they used to. “He’ll be a test for us. But they carry a lot of threats, to be fair, Brentford. They're a good side, not just Ivan Tony, so we'll need to be ready.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Cherries interim manager Gary O’Neil praises Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing #AFCB

September 21, 2022
INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil has praised hard-working Dom Solanke for doing the dirty work for Cherries, labelling the striker’s efforts off the ball as “absolutely massive” for Cherries. One-time England international Solanke opened his account for the campaign in the away victory at Nottingham Forest two weekends ago but was restricted to just two shots at Newcastle on Saturday. With Cherries on the backfoot and looking to hit the Magpies on the counter, the 25-year-old had to toil away out of possession, harassing and closing down opponents. Only Philip Billing attempted more pressures than Solanke, with the Dane edging past with 27 pressures compared to Solanke’s 26. Reflecting on how his striker has responded to the task of leading the line, O’Neil shared: “It’s hard for Dom. “I feel for him at times, but that’s the nature of the league. “We’re not going to dominate all of games all the time. “Dom works his socks off for me and you can see he comes off and we’ve not created loads of chances for him and he’s put in a load of work. “People that maybe don’t know, could underestimate how big Dom is for this group. “Absolutely massive. I couldn’t ask for a better number nine to go and face the challenges that we’re faced with.” In the absence of goals from Solanke, midfielder Billing has stepped up, netting twice in his last two appearances. Another player prepared to give it all for the side in terms of effort exerted, Billing also received praise from O’Neil. “And it’s nice, Phil has emptied the tank in every single game,” continued O’Neil. “I remember looking at him against Wolves to start with and then Nottingham Forest the same thinking ‘you’ve given everything, we’re going to need to get you off’. “He deserves his goals because he’s been brilliant since I’ve taken over.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals what he said at half-time and Dominic Solanke praises Cherries character after stunning comeback victory #AFCB

September 4, 2022
CHERRIES interim manager Gary O’Neil urged his side to “believe and go again” ahead of their remarkable 3-2 comeback victory at Nottingham Forest. The former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham midfielder saw his side staring down the barrel of defeat, after goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Brennan Johnson saw them 2-0 down at half-time. But a wonder-strike from Philip Billing, followed by Dominic Solanke’s bicycle kick turned the game on its head before Jaidon Anthony’s last-gasp winner three minutes from time. Asked for his emotions post-match, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Just delighted for the boys really. “They did everything I asked of them, they showed belief at real tough moments. “I thought the first-half score line was really harsh on them. We wasted some moments that we need to do better with but I thought to come in 2-0 down after what they've given the first half was really harsh. “Then you ask them at half-time to believe and go again boys. This is what it is, we are where we are. “To respond at that point with the week they've gone through, the quick turnaround from Wednesday to manage to respond at half-time the way they did just says everything about what they are as a group.” O’Neil has now picked up four points from two games since Scott Parker was sacked on Tuesday. “People are probably bored of me saying it now. I've only been in it for five days and I probably said it a million times that they're an incredible group,” said the interim boss. “Honestly, they are just so committed, so relentless. “You can never ask too much of them and they'll keep going until someone tells them to stop they just never know when they're done. “When you've got a group like that, you've always got a chance and obviously the first goal after half-time was massive for us.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Scott Parker reveals Solanke and Zemura were ‘late drop-outs’ #AFCB #MCFC

August 14, 2022
SCOTT Parker revealed Dominic Solanke and Jordan Zemura were "late drop-outs" ahead of this afternoon's trip to Manchester City. The pair, a key duo since Parker's arrival, did not travel to the home of the champions, with Cherries going on to lose 4-0. Solanke, who had not missed a league game since Parker took charge last summer, was absent due to an ankle injury, while Zemura tested positive for COVID-19. Asked if the pair withdrew late on, boss Parker told the Daily Echo: "They were late drop-outs. They were drop-outs yesterday morning, so it was disappointing. "Dom has felt his ankle yesterday morning, so didn’t feel he could play today and obviously didn’t want to risk that. "And then JZ, felt ill yesterday so it was a bit of a disruption that late on when you’re trying to prepare as well. "But overall I was pleased with the way we went about it and I was pleased with the players and the group that came on." Asked how much of a disruption it was to lose the pair, Parker added: "It affects it, of course it does. "When you have late decisions to make and you’ve done a lot of work in the week to prep for that, but that wasn’t the reason (we lost). "But of course it wasn’t ideal."