Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

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.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

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.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil comments on recent Premier League sackings #AFCB

April 4, 2023
Potter became the 12th managerial casualty of the Premier League this season when he was let go from his role at Stamford Bridge, news of his sacking coming out hours after Cherries’ relegation rivals Leicester announced they had parted ways with Brendan Rodgers. Asked for his thoughts on seeing the pair leave their roles, O’Neil responded: “My thoughts, firstly on Graham and Brendan is two incredible managers. “The work that Graham had done at Brighton and clubs before that, he did some incredible work there. “So disappointed for him that at a very big club like Chelsea, he didn't get as long as he would have liked. “But also 100 per sure that he'll bounce back whenever he's ready and show everyone what a good manager and football coach he is. “Again, Brendan's time at Leicester, obviously some real highs in there. “Has been there quite a long time and won the FA Cup, knocking on the Champions League door a few times. So, he has had a successful spell at Leicester. “I'm sure we'll see him back whenever he's ready.” Hired permanently in November after initially being appointed on an interim basis at the end of August, O’Neil has served as Cherries head coach for 216 days – long enough to make him the 10th longest-serving manager in the division. “I understand the nature of the job,” he continued. “Just because other people are losing theirs doesn't make me feel any differently around what it is. “I accept that if things don't go well, you lose your job. That's the nature of being a football manager. So, I’ve always understood that and accept that and then concentrate on doing the job the best I can.” Questioned if that highlighted the reality of management, O’Neil responded: “It seems to be. “I mean, I haven't checked the numbers, but it seems to be more so now than it ever has been. “I guess it's the nature of it. Obviously, it's my first go, so I haven't got much experience in it, but from my point of view, it isn't any more or less pressurised than I expected. “It's exactly where I thought it would be. I'll just take it as part of it. “Losing your job is a real possibility at any given moment if things don't go how you want them to. “So, yeah, let's try our best, see if we can achieve what the club set out to and enjoy the spell that we have.” Despite being thrust into his first head coach role somewhat unexpectedly, as admitted by O’Neil, the former Portsmouth midfielder stated the pressures involved had not come as a surprise. He continued: “I think I wouldn't have expected to start in the Premier League. “Of course, not many do, so the spotlight is obviously huge. The pressure is bigger. The level of coach you're up against, the level of team you're up against. “Any small mistakes you don't get away with too much when you're sat in this seat. “But, yeah, I'm enjoying it. I'm giving it my best go. “Lads are giving me absolutely everything. Fans are on board, as you saw at the weekend. “Everyone is pushing in the same direction and all desperate to achieve what we set out to in August.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil felt win over Fulham was ‘deserved’ #AFCB

April 2, 2023
A poor first-half performance was compounded by Andreas Pereira’s 16th minute opener, but changes at the break sparked Cherries to life, substitute Marcus Tavernier levelling five minutes before the restart. Dominic Solanke bundled home the winner 11 minutes from the final whistle, allowing Cherries to claim their seventh win of the campaign. Speaking after the game, O’Neil began: “There was a lot of work that went in today and it didn’t look like it for the first 25-30 minutes. “I spoke to the group before the game around the belief that I have in them. “And that I feel that energy now in the dressing room that even if went 1-0 down today, there would be a refusal to lose the football match. “We’re so determined to get to where we need to get to that I felt we would find a way to do it. And that was tested today.” O’Neil then went on to detail how he thought his side deserved to win the fixture, explaining: “It just felt, especially the way the goal came off the training ground, the second one, the way the boys played through the structure, I just felt it was what they deserved. “I didn’t want us to not get what we deserved today, because I would’ve been answering a very different set of questions I’m sure. “The lads believe already, but for me to have spoken to them today about it being a real test and that we will definitely find a way to get over the line today, I can feel it in the room, the quality we have and the belief we have. “Even if you suffer and you go 1-0 down, I know full well that this group finds a way to come back today. “For the lads to show the quality and the endeavour and to get what they deserved I thought was big.” Asked about his celebrations following Solanke’s winner, O’Neil replied: “Because we kept missing chances and it was bouncing around the goal. “I don’t celebrate goals very often, but that one felt like a ‘celebratable’ moment. “I don’t know if ‘celebratable’ is a word, but if it is, it was a ‘celebratable’ moment!”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes he deserves criticism for poor start against Fulham #AFCB

April 2, 2023
Andreas Pereira gave the visitors the lead on 18 minutes at Vitality Stadium, with the hosts facing a smattering of boos when they headed in at half time behind. But, sparked by the arrival of Marcus Tavernier off the bench, Cherries rallied after the restart. The former Middlesbrough man’s brilliant goal quickly levelled the contest, before Dominic Solanke’s bundled finish secured a 2-1 victory, which lifts Cherries out of the relegation zone. It is the second game in succession Cherries have started slowly, also falling behind early at Aston Villa last time out, before going on to lose 3-0. “Any credit I get for the turnaround, I equally deserve criticism for the way the game started,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “It was very different. I was disappointed with the lads for the start at Aston Villa, for a lack of intensity and losing duels. “There wasn’t anything tactical at Aston Villa, it was just we didn’t quite look like we were ready to go. “Whereas today I could tell they were ready to go and we made some errors tactically. “Very different, but of course you don’t want to start like that, giving a good side like Fulham a one-goal lead will cost you more often than not. “We managed to wrestle it back and win the game today, but we need to perform well for the whole 90 obviously if we can.” He added: “I didn’t expect us to start how we did. “But to come back the way they did in a stadium that started to get a little bit flat and grumbly, 1-0 down at home in a winnable football match, to show the bravery, the determination, the togetherness and the quality to produce that from that moment was impressive from them.” Asked what was said at half time to turn the game around, O’Neil explained: “The lads knew. Out of possession first half we were really poor. “We prepped really hard on it and the lads were managing to make some errors in it. When you play against a good side who know their patterns and their rotations with the ball, if you’re slightly off out of possession they cause you problems, and they did. “I was desperate to get to half-time, either obviously taking one of our chances or only being 1-0, because there was a bit of detail that needed to be given out of possession to help us. “Managing to fix that at half time and then introducing two fresh faces to change the energy a little bit gave us some momentum.” He added: “It looked like they weren’t getting up to things, it looked like they were a yard off the pace (in the first half). “It was more tactical really. It was more them making mistakes. “They were definitely trying and we managed to fix it. We gave Fulham a tough 45 minutes.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil ‘extremely confident’ Bournemouth will avoid relegation #AFCB

April 1, 2023
Cherries currently sit second-from-bottom of the Premier League table with 11 matches to play. They are one point from safety, ahead of hosting mid-table Fulham tomorrow (3pm). Cherries’ squad has been bolstered in recent weeks by players returning from injury. O’Neil is set to have 25 senior players to choose from to face the Cottagers, with only Ryan Fredericks and Junior Stanislas unavailable. With the final international break of the season now gone, two action-packed months await Cherries, notably April which features seven matches. Discussing the challenge ahead, O’Neil said: “There needs to be a real extreme diligence and focus into how important the next period is. That should drive how you perform, how focused you are, because you know the importance of it. “Hopefully we manage to do that as a team and then over the period, with games coming so quickly, how well we reset, as in physically and mentally from each result. “Whether it’s a good one that gives you a little high or whether it’s a bad one that gives you a low, how quickly we can move on from that and get ready for the next one, because the next one is always going to be the biggest one, regardless of what has happened before. “That will be really important for us.” Asked how confident he is Cherries will stay up, O’Neil added: “Extremely confident, really confident. “I have a huge belief in the group, as I always have, from the moment I took over as interim. “I never lost the belief in the group. They’re an incredible group and they will give absolutely everything. “I believe, with what we have in the room now, giving everything will be enough.” Cherries currently sit on 24 points from their 27 matches, with just four points currently separating the bottom nine clubs. Asked how many points he feels will be required for survival, O’Neil said: “I haven’t set a points target. “It’s impossible to know, because you could go off the current rate that teams are performing at and then you’d need 35 or 36. “But teams down the bottom generally start to pick up some wins as it gets closer to the end and things get a little more desperate. “It’s impossible to know how many you need. There are 33 still to play for, six of the games are at home for us, a lot against teams in and around us. Games that we need to be really positive in and have a real good go. “I’m really confident in the group what we have available in the room now, where they are mentally and physically that we can give this a real good go for the next 11 games and I’m sure if we do that and we do what we know we can, we’ll be absolutely fine.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

March 31, 2023
The 25-year-old arrived with a good reputation from former club Feyenoord, where he had just helped them reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The centre-back also made his international debut shortly before joining Cherries, featuring for Argentina in the summer of 2022. Senesi was quickly thrust into action by then-boss Scott Parker. He lasted just 45 minutes of his first Premier League start, subbed at the break against Arsenal, before then playing the full contest of the embarrassing 9-0 loss at Liverpool. After two games out of the side in O’Neil’s first games as boss, Senesi was brought back in following an injury to Lloyd Kelly and embarked on a long run in the XI. Fans have begun acknowledging the defender’s performances, voting him as the club’s February player of the month, during which time he also scored his first Cherries goal, in a draw with Newcastle United. Senesi netted again a few weeks after, in the narrow loss at Arsenal, before impressing and keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Asked how he would assess the progress made by Senesi at Cherries this season, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s come on loads. And I don’t want that to sound like he was in a terrible place to start with, he was obviously already a very good footballer that had played for Argentina and had success at Feyenoord. “Just the adaptation to the Premier League was a big one for him. “It was very, very different to where he was. “There was an awful lot of work that went in, him as well being fully committed to it and being happy to engage and try and improve things that he did and tweak certain things. “Obviously he has incredible quality as well. He is willing to put his body on the line, he’s good with the ball. “I expected him to do as well as he has, but there was a lot of work that needed to go in early, just to help him adapt and I agree, I think he’s had a real good time recently. He’s in a good place.” Discussing the recent centre-back partnership between Senesi and Jack Stephens, prior to the 3-0 loss at Aston Villa, O’Neil said: “There are always tough decisions to make. I know there are always a few eyebrows raised, I’m asked questions about it when we’ve changed centre-backs a few times. “I think the first time when we put Marcos and Jack together, there were a few questions around it. “Obviously Meps (Chris Mepham) has done well as well in games when he’s played, Lloydy is back, Illia (Zabarnyi) will be back soon. “There will be big decisions to make. But Jack and Marcos have done really well in the last few games, so, pleased with where they are.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil’s early assessment of Antoine Semenyo after move from Bristol City in January window #AFCB

March 30, 2023
Semenyo has been eased into life at Cherries, following his £9million move from Bristol City in January. The Ghana international, who netted for his country last week, is yet to score for his new club, having made six appearances. Semenyo, 23, joined Bristol City’s academy in 2017 and, after three loan spells away, became a regular for the Robins. He departed the second-tier club having scored 21 goals and provided 22 assists in 125 appearances. Of Semenyo’s six outings for Cherries so far, two have come as a starter, while he has been utilised both as a central striker and wide player. Discussing his early impressions of Semenyo, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think you can underestimate how big the step is, even tactically. “So his two starts have been against Brighton, who are an extremely tactical team with a very good head coach. There will be a lot of tactical info in there that he needs to take on at this level. “And again Arsenal, a lot was asked of him. It’s a big step up from where he’s come from. “But he’s willing, works his socks off, takes on every bit of info you give him and has real good attributes that can hurt teams.” Asked in which position he sees versatile Semenyo playing most of his football at Cherries, O’Neil added: “I think probably his best position is a nine. “But he can play anywhere across the top line. He’s both footed, equally off both sides. “He has attributes that are a real threat when he’s on the top line. “So sometimes playing wide and getting in behind attacking full-backs could be a use for him, which was sort of the hope for him at Arsenal, that they would attack and there would be spaces left and we could try and catch them. “But as a nine as well, he’s very good across the top line. He is flexible.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O Neil excited as Neto signs new three-year deal to extend Cherries stay #AFCB

March 28, 2023
The 33-year-old arrived on the south coast last summer on a free transfer from Catalan giants Barcelona, initially signing a one-year contract. His new deal will last until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, taking him just shy of his 37th birthday. After being installed as number one following Gary O’Neil’s original appointment as caretaker at the end of August, the Brazilian international has made 18 appearances for Cherries, recording four clean sheets. Speaking after signing the new deal, Neto told Cherries’ club media: “I am very happy and very proud. From the first time (I arrived here), I loved to be here. Me and my family are really enjoying the moment of our life. “It is the perfect place, because we have kids, a young baby, and we are really easy people. We are enjoying the place, it is very quiet, very nice. “My daughter is enjoying the school, my wife is enjoying the place. This is the most important in your career, when you have this connection. Everything is perfect.” Aside from his spell at the Camp Nou, the keeper lists Juventus, Valencia, and Fiorentina as previous employers. Capped once at senior-level by Brazil, Neto also represented his country twice at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he won a silver medal. Neto has shared dressing rooms with a full host of stars, including Leo Messi, Neymar, Mo Salah, Luis Suarez, and Gianluigi Buffon. The goalkeeper also boasts significant experience in continental competition, playing 10 times in the Champions League for Barcelona, Valencia, and Juventus, as well as 24 games in Europe’s secondary tournament, the Europa League. Such has been the Brazilian’s impact since arriving at Cherries, O’Neil decided to appoint Neto as club captain in February, the goalie donning the armband for the first time in the defeat away at Brighton. An established figure in the dressing room despite only being at the club for eight months, the fact that Neto can speak English, Spanish, and Italian was also a deciding factor in his receiving of the captaincy, with Cherries’ dressing room now speaking numerous different languages. At the time of the appointment, O’Neil shared: "I just feel that Nets is an impressive individual, on and off the pitch. He has real leadership qualities. Since he’s come in, I’ve just been very impressed with how good he is around the group. “Neto has some real, good qualities that we would be silly not to tap in to. I think especially in the transfer window with the players we’ve recruited, Neto has a real good standing in the group. I think it will benefit us."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil disappointed with impact of subs at Villa #AFCB

March 20, 2023
With injury woes easing, Cherries’ squad has been bolstered in recent weeks, with O’Neil blessed with a bench of nine full internationals at the weekend. After a poor first-half display, in which the hosts led 1-0 through Douglas Luiz, O’Neil opted against turning to his bench at the break. He made a double switch just before the hour mark, introducing Hamed Traore and Antoine Semenyo in place of Joe Rothwell and Jaidon Anthony. David Brooks was the next man to come on, with 11 minutes to play. But none of the trio could haul Cherries back into contention, with Villa going on to score twice more to go 3-0 up. Kieffer Moore and Matias Vina were then brought on in stoppage time, as the hosts closed out the win. Asked if he was tempted to make any substitutions at half-time, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “We threw a couple on early, 55 minutes or something. “Obviously they didn’t have the impact that we’d have hoped. It didn’t make us any better at that point. “At 1-0, I felt that we were right in the game. But we needed to take one of our situations and we didn’t. “I felt there was a game there that if we’d have grabbed it more by the scruff of the neck and we’d have shown some quality in the final third, we could’ve hurt Aston Villa.” With Adam Smith withdrawn as the game approached its final 10 minutes, Cherries fell apart defensively. Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia both scored, while Tyrone Mings also went close and Villa had a goal ruled out. Discussing the final 10 minutes of the fixture, O’Neil said: “I’m really disappointed. “There is a risk of that, of course, when you try and get as many attacking players on as we did. “But I was disappointed it changed the way the game is now seen. “Because it wasn’t like that for a very long spell. “We need to make sure that in that situation it doesn’t turn that way.”
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.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on Bournemouth’s slow start against Aston Villa #AFCB

March 19, 2023
The hosts dominated possession in the early stages, breaking the deadlock when Leon Bailey's low cross was turned in by Douglas Luiz in the seventh minute. Late goals from Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia saw Villa run out 3-0 victors, leaving Cherries in the relegation zone. Asked if the sluggish start at Villa Park was down to a problem with the gameplan or individuals not successfully carrying out their tasks, O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "If you watch back the goal, we’re pressing and the midfielder manages to wriggle away from one of ours. "If you lose a one v one duel like that, it obviously creates a situation and we don’t manage it well enough from that point." He added: "But then the game looked exactly how we expected it to from that moment. "We expected to be able to have the ball at times, expected to be able to hurt them in behind, tried to press when we could. "So from their goal up until when we change and try and open it up and put a load of attacking players on the pitch. "We were more than in the game, just really disappointed that it was a game that we were in and we don’t show enough to take anything from."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals not being involved in Jordan Zemura contract situation #AFCB

March 18, 2023
With Lloyd Kelly and Matias Vina returning to fitness, Zemura was a surprise omission from the squad to face Liverpool last weekend, having impressed in recent weeks. The Daily Echo understands the 23-year-old was left out due to his ongoing contraction situation. Zemura's current deal expires this summer, after the club triggered a one-year extension clause in his contract in March 2022. It is understood the club have offered Zemura a significant pay-rise from his current terms, but the London-born ace or his representatives are yet to respond or engage in discussions. Speaking after the win over Liverpool, O'Neil said the Zimbabwe international's absence was an "internal decision". Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa, O'Neil was asked if Zemura had a future at Cherries. He said: "I think Jordan has had a good time here, of course. "My job at the moment, I don’t get involved at all in contract situations, just purely on team selection. "As we saw, Lloyd Kelly is back fit now and can play left-back. "We’ve got a Uruguay international back available, Matias Vina, who has trained well. "So we have three very capable left-backs at the moment. So some tough decisions for me, but also positives that we have more options." Asked if Zemura remains in his thoughts when picking his team, O'Neil added: "All of them are, always. "I’ll always make an honest and what I believe to be a sensible decision around who is best to play." Zemura, who arrived from Charlton Athletic in 2019 after a successful spell on trial, made his first-team debut in September 2020. His breakthrough campaign was last season, under Scott Parker, featuring in 33 Championship matches, helping the club clinch promotion. Cherries have long been trying to tie Zemura down to a longer-term contract, but no agreement has been reached, with other Premier League clubs credited with an interest.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Dango Ouattara #AFCB

March 17, 2023
The Burkinabe international has provided three assists in seven Premier League appearances since arriving at the Vitality Stadium in January from FC Lorient for a reported £20million. Ouattara teed up Phil Billing for what proved to be the winning goal on Saturday, Cherries defeating last year’s Champions League finalists Liverpool 1-0. Prior to the opener on 28 minutes, Ouattara had two decent chances to open his scoring account for his new club. In the more notable of the two opportunities, the former Lorient man found himself one-on-one with keeper Alisson, the winger’s touch to try and take the ball around the goalie too strong, forcing the resultant shot from a tight angle into the side netting. However, despite the misses, O’Neil believed Cherries would have struggled to get into the same areas without Ouattara in the team. He told the Daily Echo: “I think we wouldn't have had that chance before he arrived, unless Tav (Marcus Tavernier) was fit. “We might have managed to get Tav in those situations. “So he's brought an awful lot. “And obviously we knew this before and we've done some work on (it), Alisson's incredible in one-v-one situations, so even when you're going through, they're tough to finish, those. “He just has a slightly too big a touch. “He's 20 years old and adapting to the Premier League, so, yeah, still plenty of work to do with him.” There was also praise for Ouattara’s defensive contributions throughout the game, with O’Neil detailing how Cherries had asked the winger to track back and form a five-man backline when Liverpool had the ball. O’Neil explained: “I don't want to speak too much about it, but we felt there was certain people that we could get after, certain people that we were happy to leave with a bit more time on the ball. “It was sort of a back four, but we knew Dango would have to track down with Andy Robertson, so it would look like a back five at times, which it did. “Dango did it well in the majority. I think Andy Robertson got behind him once or twice early on. “I thought we'd be able to hurt them on the counter, because their fullbacks are obviously attacking. “Andy Robertson plays higher, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) rolls around, he ends up in midfield sometimes and there are spaces then down the side to try and counter. “And we didn't quite make the most of it, but we did enough to win the game.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admits Ryan Christie ‘unfortunate’ with injuries #AFCB

March 16, 2023
The Scot came off the bench at the weekend as he helped Cherries over the line against Liverpool, playing the final 20 minutes of the 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. A regular starter for much of the campaign, the 28-year-old has had his playing time limited since the closure of the January transfer window. The arrivals of Antoine Semenyo, Hamed Traore, and Dango Ouattara, all players who can operate in a similar position to the Scottish international, have seen Christie restricted to the bench in Cherries’ last six games. In that time Christie has made three appearances, playing just under an hour of football (57 minutes). When goalscorer Philip Billing tired at the weekend, Christie was introduced to great effect, the Scot able to calm play down and add much-needed composure to Cherries’ midfield. Speaking about the former Celtic man, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Phil was struggling a little bit (on Friday) with something, so Ryan Christie knew the role as well, knew tactically what was going to be expected of him. “Ryan's been unfortunate really in the last few, and he knows this as well, to play as little as he has. “Because his training effort and his performances when he does come on have been of a very good level, the same as (against Liverpool). “So we're getting stronger. There's people coming back. Jeff back today. Lloyd back today. Makes a big difference to us.” With new arrivals in January combining with the return of players from injury, Cherries’ bench looks far stronger than it has in recent months. O’Neil concurred, continuing: “If we'd have been short numbers wise, and Liverpool had made four subs to freshen things up, and we'd have been sat there with three of the young lads on the bench, it makes it very, very difficult. “You're relying on people that look like they're tired. “So Philip Billing, Jefferson, Jaidon Anthony had put a lot in, and the ability to freshen them up without weakening the team is huge. “I felt that really helped us (against Liverpool).”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Liverpool’s 7-0 win against Manchester United #AFCB

March 11, 2023
Liverpool arrive at the Vitality Stadium tomorrow afternoon (12.30pm) riding high after putting seven past the Red Devils last Sunday. Cherries have already been on the end of a hammering from Jurgen Klopp’s Reds this season, losing 9-0 in the return fixture under Scott Parker – a Premier League joint record. Asked for his thoughts on seeing Liverpool’s big win last time out, O’Neil replied: “A couple of things - for us, not a great time for them to hit top form. “And then, secondly, hopefully they've used up all their goals was the last thing I was thinking! O’Neil also noted some differences in Liverpool’s approach, stating: “They've changed a little bit recently. “They're using a slightly different structure. “Last three or four weeks, they've mixed things up, changed how they play. “They probably haven't done that in quite a while, while Jurgen has been there. “So slightly new look, but, yeah, same threat on the top line. “Nunez, obviously a huge threat, lots of pace up front. “So, yeah, it will be a tough ask, but the boys are looking forward to it. “Again, an incredible opportunity for us to give ourselves a chance of putting another big result on the board.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals Bournemouth are in a different place from early season 9-0 thrashing #AFCB

March 10, 2023
Cherries face Liverpool tomorrow (12.30pm) for the first time since the Premier League record-equalling loss on Merseyside. That humiliation, under then-boss Scott Parker, came on the back of a 4-0 loss at Manchester City and 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal. Cherries are facing the same sequence of fixtures now, with O’Neil’s charges beaten 4-1 by City and 3-2 at the Gunners prior to hosting Jurgen Klopp’s Reds. Parker was sacked in the wake of that 9-0 loss against Liverpool and boss O’Neil, who was a coach on the day before soon stepping into the interim head coach role a few days later, believes he has pushed the team forwards. Asked if that fateful day in August was the first thing he thought of ahead of facing Liverpool again, O’Neil said: “The 9-0 doesn’t come into my mind at all. “Obviously we were in a very different place then. “The lads will just prepare for this like it’s another game against a very, very good side. “They’re in good form at the moment. Obviously have fantastic attacking threat. “So it will be a tough ask, of course, but we approach the game like it’s a game we need to take three points from and that’s all.” Having faced the top two sides in the division in the past two weeks, Cherries now host a resurgent Liverpool, who thrashed bitter rivals Manchester United 7-0 last weekend. They have climbed up to fifth in the table, unbeaten in five in the Premier League, without conceding. Asked if there are positives of pushing Arsenal so close last time out, leading 2-0 before losing to a 97th-minute Reiss Nelson strike, into playing another top side this weekend, O’Neil said: “I think looking at the three-game run of fixtures when we faced it last time – we went to the Etihad and I don’t even know if we had a shot, maybe had a shot or two and didn’t really lay a glove on them. Arsenal came here and we didn’t lay a glove on them. “Obviously Anfield everyone knows about. “And in my opinion we’ve just gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City and created a lot of chances, had the most shots against them (of anyone) all year. “And we went to Arsenal and forced them to go past the allotted six minutes (of added time) to get their winner. “So a big shift in how well we’re doing against these sides, but it’s still very difficult to put points on the table against them. “But the lads understand that we’ve come on a long way, we just need to push on a bit further and make sure come May 28 (final game of the season), we’re the ones celebrating.”
Jordan Zemura
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jordan Zemura on squad’s faith in Gary O’Neil #AFCB

March 10, 2023
Cherries academy graduate Zemura enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the Vitality Stadium last term, featuring 33 times and making the left-back spot his own as he helped his side win promotion back to the Premier League. The Zimbabwean international has further cemented his position as first-choice left-back whilst making the step-up to the top-flight, featuring in 19 of Cherries’ 26 league games so far this season. After a heart-breaking defeat in the dying embers of their last game against league leaders Arsenal, Cherries currently prop up the division, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League. However, just six points separate Cherries from 15th placed Leicester City, meaning there are six teams threatened by relegation in the final 12 games of the campaign. Speaking in February, Zemura shared: “I think he's a great guy, a great manager, and I think obviously it's not easy. “Like he says to us, we've got to deal with the result. “And then we’ve just got to move on. Every time it's a bad result, if it's a good performance and a bad result, he doesn’t say dwell on it too much, that we deal with it afterwards. “So for him, I know things will start working out and I'm sure of it. “I think we're working hard on the training ground, following his philosophy and his ethics. “As players, we are very with him and he's very with us. “He backs us when it comes to the media. He's always there putting himself on the line, even if it's us that haven't played that well. “So, you know, as players, we've got to keep on working hard with him and repay him, eventually.” Aside from the uncertainty of Cherries’ Premier League status, there is speculation surrounding Zemura’s own future on the south coast. The defender is currently into the last three months of his contract at Cherries. Zemura’s housemate and fellow starlet Jaidon Anthony recently signed a new deal, putting further pressure on both Cherries and Zemura to finalise terms. Zemura told the Daily Echo: “Firstly, congratulations to Jaidon, buzzing for him. Hopefully something can get sorted.” Asked if he was focusing on his football, Zemura replied: “Yeah, definitely.   “For me, I think the infatuation I have for the club is obviously seen. “Every game I come out and give my all and it's something that, contracts, it's not an easy thing. “It takes time to work out. “So I just got to leave it to my agents and leave it to the club to resolve.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Matias Vina #AFCB

March 9, 2023
Uruguayan defender Vina was one of six new faces brought to the Vitality Stadium in the January transfer window, arriving on an initial loan basis from Serie A side AS Roma. Cherries have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer if they so choose. Prior to the arrival of Vina, Cherries only had one recognised left-back in their senior side, Jordan Zemura’s most natural back-up development squad captain Ben Greenwood. When Zemura had missed games, he was either covered by right-back Adam Smith, or centre-back Lloyd Kelly, highlighting the need to strengthen the position in the last transfer window. Asked if Cherries had been tracking Vina for some time before bringing him to England, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Generally, January was very well planned. “Of course things move, but the signings that we made were generally ones we’d been looking at for a while. “It was a window that we’d planned and looked to fill certain positions, looked to sign some players we thought could help now and in the future.  “We’re pleased to get Mati in. “Obviously left-back we were a little bit short, especially when Lloyd gets injured. “Smudge obviously plays there as well, but you can’t have Smudge in two places at once! “So left-back we were a little bit short and Matias has played some top-level football around different countries, so he’s more than capable of coming in and helping us.” The left-back has missed Cherries’ last two games with a knee injury sustained in training, although it is not thought to be too serious. Uruguay have named Vina in a 34-man preliminary squad for friendlies with Japan and South Korea during the international break at the end of March. Vina is yet to start a game since arriving from Italy, the 25-year-old restricted to appearances off the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Explaining how the defender required time to get up to speed with the demands of the English game, O’Neil shared: “Fitness-wise he needed a little bit of work. “He obviously hadn’t played a lot of football recently. “And he was surprised at the level of training and the intensity. “We did some work with him in the first spell to try and give him a chance so that when he was used, he was ready. “I thought he did well when he came on against Wolves. Still lots of work to do with him, but he will be an important addition.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil wants no credit for Bournemouth’s opener against Arsenal #AFCB

March 6, 2023
Philip Billing scored the second fastest goal in Premier League history in Cherries’ 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, the game just 9.11 seconds young when the Dane poked home following just three passes. Marcos Senesi doubled Cherries’ lead early in the second half at a corner from a routine also worked on during training according to O’Neil. However, Arsenal rallied back through Thomas Partey and Ben White, before Reiss Nelson broke Cherries’ hearts deep into stoppage time to complete the comeback. “The kick-off was prepared, yeah. Just something I thought of (Thursday), maybe. “But you don't expect to score from it. Just thought maybe you could catch them cold, get up the pitch quickly. Gave us a lovely start. “And then a nice routine for the corner goal.”O’Neil went on to lament Cherries’ spurned chances, with Dango Ouattara denied by former Cherry Aaron Ramsdale after a dangerous counter attack. He continued: “Real big chance - Aaron Ramsdale makes an incredible save on the counter-attack, but of course, they arrive in our final third an awful lot. “The lads put in an awful lot of work and you suffer to an incredible strike from the edge of the box, with maybe two or three kicks of the game left. Asked if he was taking credit for the pre-planned move, O’Neil responded: “I don't want any credit. The team scored a goal from it, so there's about 35 of us involved in it. The club (gets credit).” Southampton’s win over Leicester City in the evening kick-off saw Cherries drop to the foot of the Premier League table, with the Dorset outfit in 20th with 21 points from 26 games. Only three points separate Leicester in 15th and Cherries at the bottom of the division, highlighting how tight the relegation battle is as it enters its final throes.    
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil admits Emirates Stadium is toughest stadium in England #AFCB

March 4, 2023
However, despite the task ahead of his charges, O’Neil was adamant that “tomorrow could be our day”. Stephens believes Cherries can take learnings from City clash into Arsenal trip Mikel Arteta’s Gunners currently top the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City, who handily dispatched Cherries at the Vitality Stadium 4-1 last time out. The trip to north London is sandwiched between the aforementioned City loss and the visit of Liverpool. Cherries will be unfancied in all three fixtures, but despite there being little expectation of a result at the Emirates, O’Neil reiterated that the side would always be competitive no matter the opposition.  “I think that the lads are very good at putting things into context, of course,” O’Neil explained to the Daily Echo. “But that doesn't make losing on a Saturday feel any better. “Like the fact that we lost to Manchester City, no one felt any better about it, sat in the dressing room after. “We want to be competitive, of course, and the league and where we are at this moment, we need to make sure that it's always, it can't just be: “okay, we've got a team that's near us in the league, let's make sure we're up for this one.’ “It's like, ‘yeah, we need to be up for tomorrow’. “You never know when it's going to be your day. Tomorrow could be our day, so let's make sure we're ready.” Only Manchester City have bested Arsenal at the Emirates home in the Premier League this campaign, with the Gunners taking 29 points of a possible 36 from home fixtures. Explaining the task ahead of his side, O’Neil continued: “The (Emirates is the) toughest place to go, no doubt, at the moment. “They're a fantastic side, top of the league, going to their place as well. “So, yes, it's the toughest test you can face at this moment, but we go there with ways that we feel we can cause them a problem. “Obviously, the intensity they show and how aggressive they are without the ball and how good they are with the ball. “They're a very good side. And having watched them a lot this week, no surprise that they are where they are and that they're clear at the top. So they'll be difficult to catch, I'm sure. “But from our point of view, we go there, we try to be well organized, we stick to our plan, and we use ways that we feel we can hurt them.” After taking charge of his first Arsenal game in a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Boxing Day in 2019, Arteta went on to lift the FA Cup in August 2020. A lean year followed the initial success, with many sections of the Gunners’ fanbase calling for the Spaniard to be sacked as the London club finished eight in his first full season in charge. However, the former Arsenal midfielder was given time, with the club now reaping the rewards with the Gunners top of the division. Asked if Arteta’s success showed that managers should be given more time, O’Neil replied: “I think if you're good, you will show you're good. That is basically how I see it. “I think if you're not very good and you're given time, you'll still be not very good. “So, yeah, I think you just need to be good at your job. Mikel was always going to be. “I had no doubts about it - working at Manchester City, he had a big reputation already from the work he'd done there with Pep. So, yeah, no surprise to me that he's doing very, very well. “I think it depends what people are judging you on, I guess. Was he doing terribly at the start? I don't know enough about the situation, where Arsenal in a bad place at the time? “Was what he was doing normal? “So, yeah, I don't know too much about it, but generally, if you're good and you get long enough, you'll be able to show you're good.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil’s praise for Ryan Christie during spell out of side #AFCB

March 3, 2023
The Scotland international featured in 19 of the club’s first 21 Premier League games of this season, starting 12 of those. But Christie has been left as an unused substitute for each of Cherries’ past three matches, with January recruits Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traore selected instead in the advanced attacking midfield areas. Asked if there was a danger of Christie being left behind given the profile of player Cherries have recruited in his area of the pitch, or if he still had plenty to offer, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s still very, very important. “He’s an incredible lad as well. “His training levels have not dropped by one per cent since, as you say, his minutes have got slightly less over the last couple of weeks. “Most of that is just situation based, what you feel you need at the time. “Some changes you can make here or there and just for the last couple it hasn’t been Ryan Christie, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be moving forward. “He’s a really important player for us and I’m still delighted he’s part of the group.” Christie, who turned 28 last month, joined Cherries from Celtic for £2.5million in August 2021. He played a key role in Scott Parker’s side clinching promotion from the Championship last term, providing three goals and eight assists in 38 league outings. Having previously played all his career north of the border, with Celtic, Aberdeen and hometown Inverness Caledonian Thistle, this is Christie’s first season in England’s top flight. He has been unable to replicate the type of offensive numbers he managed both in the Championship and Scottish Premiership. Christie is yet to register an assist this term, while his only league goal was the winner in a 2-1 victory over Leicester City in October. He did also score in defeat to Burnley in the FA Cup in January. Asked if he would like to see Christie contributing more goals and assists, or if he focusses more on the defensive work the midfielder brings to the side, O’Neil said: “I think he can do both. “Obviously one of his real strengths is how diligent he is and how hard he works for the team, of course. “But he has good quality on his left foot and he can provide key passes and crosses and has quality. “He can improve those numbers. Of course, being in the Premier League in a team that has been at the bottom of the league makes it difficult in attacking numbers. “But he’s very, very important. “He can do lots of things that are important to a club like us in the position we are in. “I have no issues with Ryan Christie whatsoever.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reflects on two-year anniversary of his joining date at Cherries #AFCB

March 2, 2023
Last Thursday marked two years to the day since O’Neil arrived on the south coast, leaving a job in Liverpool’s academy to take up a role as senior first team coach under newly-appointed boss Jonathan Woodgate. Despite Woodgate leaving the club a few months later, O’Neil remained in his post, working underneath Scott Parker. Following promotion to the Premier League, Parker was sacked four games into the new campaign, with assistant boss Matt Wells also departing. O’Neil thrust into the interim head coach role, taking charge of 12 matches, before being given the reins on a permanent basis in November 2022. Asked to sum up the past two years, O’Neil said: “Enjoyable, firstly. Obviously stopping playing is never easy, especially when it’s an injury that causes it. “So to go from stopping playing, doing a little while at Liverpool, who helped me of course, and then come down here to help Jonathan. “We fell just short of promotion the first time, but one of the remits when I came to the club was to help the club get back to the Premier League. “So, pleased that I managed to play a part in that, at the second time of asking. “Now obviously roles have changed a little bit and I’m responsible for trying to keep the club in the Premier League, which is what I spend most of my time now working on. “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a fantastic club, good people, good staff, a fantastic group of players willing to work and a fanbase that are always behind the players and supporting as best they can. “So an enjoyable couple of years for me.” Asked if he is further along in his coaching journey than he thought he would be at this point, the 39-year-old added: “Things have happened maybe quicker than you would think. “It’s hard to plot these sort of journeys. I always thought I would keep playing for a long time, because I was fit, and I would probably fall into management from playing at a lower level, would’ve been how I predicted it going. “But we had to take a different route. I was grateful for the time at Liverpool and then in the hotseat in the Premier League maybe slightly quicker than expected, but I’m enjoying it. “I love the work. I appreciate the belief and the trust that the club have shown in me and am working every hour I have to repay that.” When O’Neil arrived at Cherries in February 2021, the club sat sixth in the Championship. Asked what his first impressions were of the place, the former Portsmouth and West Ham United midfielder said: “That we had a very good squad for the level at that point, still some fantastic players. “Obviously the club had done well to bring in some funds as well and managed to sell a few to sort of balance the books, but still kept a very competitive squad. “And just the feel of the place. It was COVID I think when I came in, so the supporters just started to come back in in small numbers at the time, so when I first arrived, you never really got the full feel of the place. “But then once the fans were back in, you get a real feel for what the club is and how important it is to everybody in the area. “I feel fully embedded in that now really. I feel like I’m part of Bournemouth. “I’ve loved my time, love the way everything works, love how close and together everything is, love the fact that the whole place has been through some tough times together and came out the other side. “It’s a really special feel. I’m privileged to be working here.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes there were lots of positives after Man City loss #AFCB #MCFC

February 26, 2023
Sloppy Cherries defending saw City race into a 3-0 half-time lead, adding another after the break before Jefferson Lerma's late consolation strike. The defeat saw Cherries slip back into the Premier League relegation zone, one point from safety with 14 games to go. Asked what his side could have done better to make the contest closer, O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "Not pass to them twice in our half would’ve been a good one. "But I thought it was a decent performance. I thought we got punished for a couple of mistakes. I thought we were front foot. "Apart from the score-line, I thought it was uncomfortable for Manchester City. I thought they turned the ball over more than usual for them. "I thought we pressed well. I thought we gave it a real, good go. "We got heavily punished for a couple of mistakes, didn’t make the most of our opportunities. We arrived in decent situations a lot, and it took us a very long time to score a goal from that. "I thought there was lots to be positive about." He added: "I can sum it up fairly simply for you. We had a real good go, I thought. "We made mistakes that are uncharacteristic for us. We don’t turn the ball over a lot in those situations. I don’t think we overplay very often. "I think we generally mix it up fairly well. I don’t think we’re a team that takes huge risk playing out from the back. "But the boys obviously understand that every time the ball arrives at you as a footballer, you have a decision to make, whether you can secure it and make passes or whether you need to play forward. "We maybe got a couple wrong today, against a top, top side. They punished us heavily for that. "We kept going, we showed that we won’t stop and I thought that we caused them some problems."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil admits Manchester City “Ask a lot of questions” during premier league games #AFCB #MCFC

February 25, 2023
Defending Premier League Champions City visit the south coast chasing a third successive top-flight title whilst also fighting for further glory in the FA Cup and Champions League.   Pep Guardiola’s men trail Arsenal by two points in the battle for the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners also boasting a game in hand. Cherries have never beaten Manchester City, losing their last 11 Premier League games to the Cityzens. Discussing the test, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “They ask you a lot of questions, tactically, Man City. “So they'll test how far you want to come in on things, test if you're brave enough to come out. If you do, they'll try and exploit the space you leave. “They ask you an awful lot of questions. Physically, they ask you questions. Generally, all their players are quick and strong as well. So, yeah, they are the biggest threat you can face in this country in my opinion.” With a trip to league leaders Arsenal on the horizon, O’Neil quipped: “Obviously, Arsenal going very well as well. We get to try that one next week! “But, yeah, (City) ask a lot of questions.” Wary of the threat Cherries’ upcoming opponents pose, O’Neil believes his side are ready to face the challenge of City. “The boys are well prepped, they're in a good place,” he continued. “I have full belief in them with the game coming tomorrow that they're going to go out and give it a real good go, and hopefully we can take a positive result.”  Despite grabbing 32 goals in 32 games across all competitions, Erling Haaland has scored just once in his last six City appearances. This has led to speculation that the Norwegian international is not a natural fit to City’s possession-based style, an assertion O’Neil does not agree with. Asked about this theory, Cherries’ boss replied: “No, I think his goals record is fantastic. “I think they're still a threat from so many different areas of the pitch that they can hurt you with the ball, they can hurt you by being direct and behind. “Good set plays, they can play round you or they can play over you. “So, yeah, it's still a very good side and most of the metrics, they're the best side in the league. “So, yeah, now I feel like they'll feel like come to the end of the season, everyone will see them pretty much where you expect them to be.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil talks about Marcus Tavernier #AFCB

February 23, 2023
The 23-year-old marked his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury with the game’s only goal on Saturday, helping Cherries to their first win since November. Former Middlesbrough man Tavernier had missed eight games prior to returning to first-team action off the bench in Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Newcastle. Injury came at arguably the worst possible time for the winger, Tavernier ruled out right before domestic football restarted following the World Cup. Before the Premier League break, the Leeds-born attacker had scored two goals and provided four assists in his last four appearances. Discussing Tavernier, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought Tavs did well to get his goal, but I felt you could see that he'd been out for a while. “I thought some of his decision making, understandably so, he’s been out for a very long time and the Premier League moves fast. “So, yeah, some of his decision making, some of his ball handling, maybe wasn't quite at the level that it was before the break. “But delighted to get him back.” Despite admitting his star was yet to reach full match fitness, O’Neil did credit Tavernier for making the required run to get on the end of Dominic Solanke’s cross. He explained: “We worked hard this week on trying to arrive (in attacking areas). “That sort of half space run that Dom produced for the goal and making sure we arrive in the goal frame. “And maybe some of our other wide players wouldn't have arrived, or some of our midfield players would have been on the penalty spot looking for cutbacks, and Tavs fully commits, arrives in the penalty area. “Tavs is a big player for us and big players sometimes come up with moments even when they've not been at their best.” Tavernier was replaced after 57 minutes at the weekend with a complaint with his other hamstring, with O’Neil stating precautionary checks would be carried out ahead of Cherries game with Manchester City this weekend.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil working to ‘blend’ short and long-term goals at Cherries #AFCB

February 23, 2023
O’Neil’s performance as interim head coach saw him handed the reins on a full-time basis in November. But the 39-year-old had a long wait to record his first win in permanent charge. A run of nine games without a win saw Cherries knocked out of both the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and slip to 19th in the Premier League table. They arrested the slump with a vital 1-0 triumph at Wolves on Saturday, a result which lifted Cherries out of the bottom three. During the poor run of form, some fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the direction the team was heading in with O’Neil in charge. Asked if he had been given any assurances by those above him that they were happy with the job he was carrying out during the recent struggles, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I speak to Richard Hughes (technical director) more regularly, but Neill (Blake, chief executive) as well. “I haven’t had any discussions or I haven’t asked for any assurances. “I’m doing the job as asked, as I was before the transfer window and as I was before the break. “It’s just head down and try and win the next football match.” When Jonathan Woodgate was drafted in as interim boss at Cherries in 2021, a move which eventually became permanent, he revealed he leaned on the vast experience of Harry Redknapp for advice to help him during the early stages. Asked if there was anybody he had turned to during Cherries’ tough spell, O’Neil replied: “There are people that I trust and whose opinion I value. “I do think it’s difficult sometimes, you hear opinions sometimes of people that aren’t close enough to it to know what is actually going on. “You need to make sure you take the right opinions of people that have a knowledge of what’s going on in the football club. But I’m happy to take advice from people I value.” Quizzed on if his remit when taking the job on a permanent basis was just based around avoiding relegation this season, O’Neil explained: “There’s a few things attached to it. “I won’t go into too much detail, but there’s a few things that needed progressing at the football club. “We’re working hard, everybody, not just me as the head coach, as you saw in January with the type of players we tried to recruit, the age of them, the profile. “It wasn’t just a short-term transfer window where we were trying to fix things for the here and now. There was a lot of planning that went in. “Obviously new ownership as well with long-term plans. As always with football there are short-term needs and there are long-term plans. “You need to blend the two. You need to do well enough in the short-term to make sure you see the long-term. “But my work is always around both, making sure the club is in a good place, long term. And in the short term, trying to make sure we win every Saturday.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil speaks after beating Wolves #AFCB

February 20, 2023
Marcus Tavernier marked his first start since November with the game’s only goal to give Cherries a precious 1-0 win at Molineux. Victory was Cherries’ first in 10 games, adding a vital three points to their tally by finally converting improved performances into a result. O’Neil credited the win to Cherries’ ability to edge the game in their favour. Reflecting on the game, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think (Wolves) was a big game for us -  as they always are. “I think since Nottingham Forest probably where we were really short players and we put in a good performance, unlucky not to win. “Good performance at Brighton, unlucky not to beat Newcastle. To go four on the trot where their performances have given us a real chance of taking something from the games. “Spoke a lot this week, I think I mentioned it in the pre-match (press conference) as well, that some things that we need to do to try and swing the fine margins our way, because it's not always luck. “I think you saw that (against Wolves). “I think the boys had a real focus around managing the game, certain situations that the boys did well, that doesn't look like a lot, but if you can just try and grab a centimetre here and there, it can make a big difference at the end. “And (against Wolves) felt like that. “I felt we weren’t too different to some of the other games we’ve just played in, but we managed to make sure that the fine margins fell in our favour.” Wins for Everton and Southampton, as well as an impressive draw for Nottingham Forest against Manchester City poured cold water on Cherries’ result. Asked for his thoughts on other side’s results, O’Neil replied: “I haven't seen any other results. “I'm not really too interested in those.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil issues injury update on playing squad after Wolves win #AFCB

February 19, 2023
Summer signing Tavernier was the match-winner at Molineux, the winger converting from Dominic Solanke’s cross. It was the 23-year-old’s first start since November, with Tavernier missing eight fixtures following a hamstring injury. Lerma came off at the break, with O’Neil revealing that the Colombian had fallen ill prior to the game. Unable to continue for the remaining 45 minutes, Lerma was replaced with Joe Rothwell. O’Neil explained to the Daily Echo: “Jeff was ill very close to kick off, so it was a bit late to change him from the starting XI. “But he wasn't feeling very well so we knew we might have to change him. At half time he was struggling, so we have to change.” There were fears that when Tavernier went down injured that he had suffered a reoccurrence of his aforementioned hamstring injury. However, O’Neil said that the winger’s issue is not with the same hamstring, also sharing his belief that it was not a serious problem. Cherries had been preparing to take Tavernier off before he went down requiring treatment, with Jaidon Anthony brought on in his stead. Asked about Tavernier, O’Neil insisted: “No, it's not a reoccurrence. “We were about to take Tavs (Marcus Tavernier) off anyway. I think we were doing Dango (Ouattara) and Tavs together, I think, for Antoine (Semenyo) and Jaidon (Anthony). Then Tavs went down. We're not sure. “It's the other hamstring, for starters, he thinks there was a contact on it as well from the tackle. So the best news would be that it was just a contact. “And even if it wasn't, he seems to think it just tightened up a little bit. “So we're hopeful that it won't be anything too serious, but there'll obviously be checks that need to go in place.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on tactical changes at half-time against Wolves #AFCB

February 18, 2023
Marcus Tavernier’s goal shortly after the restart proved to be the difference at Molineux, the 1-0 win Cherries’ first since November, and only their second league victory on the road this campaign. Jefferson Lerma was an enforced change at the break, the midfielder coming off with illness and replaced by Joe Rothwell. Cherries spent most of the opening 45 minutes camped in their own half, with O’Neil’s side unable to make the most of their opportunities on the break. Discussing the game, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I felt the first half, we were slightly more passive than I wanted us to be. “A couple of reasons – we sat a little bit too deep, too early, and we turned the ball over too easily. So we just had to suffer constant phases without the ball. “Under massive threat, the boys dug in. “First half, I felt we could have been better. “We had some real good counter-attacking situations that we wasted, but, yes, second half, couple of tweaks to try and help the boys be more aggressive at half time. “I thought the second half was very good. “Should have probably took more from some of the situations that we had. “Overall pleased, but as always, still things that I would have liked to have been better.” When pressed for the tweaks he made at the break to change Cherries’ fortunes’ O’Neil explained: “We tried to get Dango (Ouattara) slightly higher, press slightly higher up, try and win the ball back slightly higher than we were. “Because although we were well organised first half, and they weren't ripping us apart, it's just a long time to be without the ball. “So tried to help the boys. We had to be aggressive, but the shape first half maybe didn't allow us to be as aggressive as we wanted to. “Second half, just tried to change a couple of things and I thought Joe Rothwell did well when he came on.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil shares players’ cheeky request for time off after win against Wolves #AFCB

February 18, 2023
Marcus Tavernier’s second-half goal was enough for Cherries to record their first win in 10 games, taking all three points via the 1-0 scoreline at Molineux. After a tricky run of results that saw Cherries drop into the drop zone, the win saw the Dorset outfit rise to 17th ahead of West Ham’s fixture with Tottenham on Sunday. Asked what the mood was like in the dressing room following the result, O’Neil quipped: “They enjoyed it. Of course they enjoyed it. “They asked for Monday off, I said no! “You have to win more than one game to get a day off, lads!” Whilst Cherries’ performances have improved in recent weeks, results had not, with O’Neil maintaining that belief was high in camp. “They enjoyed the win, of course, because they've been working so hard the last few weeks and I've been telling them that it's coming. “They have a real belief in the group that that we can cause team's problems. “See, I'm delighted for them because, as I've said before, sometimes I have to come in here and explain how well they've done and how hard they've worked, but today the result makes that easier. “You can see yourself.” O’Neil’s attention has already turned to next weekend, with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in town. “Big game next week,” he restarted. “Let's get ourselves dusted down. “Make sure the boys that had to come off today, or Jeff (Lerma), that was ill, make sure we get them ready to go again because we have another big game.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Dominic Solanke’s defensive work rate #AFCB

February 18, 2023
Cherries talisman Solanke returned to action during the side’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle last weekend, the striker coming back from a knee injury sustained in innocuous circumstances during training. With three goals and three assists in the Premier League this campaign, the 25-year-old is one of the biggest sources of goals in the Cherries squad. However, the striker also works hard off the ball, often dropping deep to help his side either win the ball back, or provide a passing option to help drive the side forward. This has not gone unnoticed by Solanke’s head coach, with O’Neil sharing how the Cherries coaching staff were looking for the former Chelsea and Liverpool forward to stay higher up the pitch in order to act as a focal point of the attack. Asked about the one-time England international’s work off the ball, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think Dom is extremely honest and hard working, as you picked up, and if anything, his tendency would be to come down too much and want to help. “So we do a lot of work with him on the right times to come down. “Obviously always working hard, which is a given with Dom, he always works hard. “We're trying to help him with still making sure that we have a threat at the top of the pitch while we're working hard. “Some of the other lads behind him, pushing him forward sometimes and saying: ‘we don't need you at this moment, Dom. ‘We're fine, you can stay on the top line.’ “So the main thing you have to work with Dom is trying to make him a little bit less for the team, and a little bit more for himself. “But he's been fantastic for us and I like to have him back.” O’Neil also explained how he was also looking for his side to be “more aggressive” during games, especially when defending. He explained: “Disappointed with the goal against Newcastle, but there's been a lot of work going, not only to the back four, of course, but the boys in front of them. “Tendency sometimes in the group is similar to what I spoke about with Dom, really. “There's a real honesty and wanting to help within the group and sometimes that can lead to having a lot of bodies trying to help out behind the ball when sometimes we can still be more aggressive. “So a bit of work on that maybe showed up a little bit in the Newcastle game. We tried to stay aggressive in that. “We need to keep improving that, really, because when you get yourself in good situations, you need to try and have a good shape and a good structure, but try and stay aggressive from that and still carry a threat.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hoping to welcome back more key players from injury ‘ahead of schedule’ #AFCB

February 13, 2023
Cherries welcomed back both Dominic Solanke and Jack Stephens to the starting XI for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Fredericks were also introduced from the bench for their first appearances since November. In recent weeks, Cherries’ list of substitutes have included a handful of inexperienced players from the under-18s side. But at the weekend, O’Neil had nine first-team players to choose from, with a number of players still yet to return from injury. “We still have key players to come back, of course,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “Still Brooksy (David Brooks), Lew (Cook), Lloyd (Kelly) and Illia (Zabarnyi). “So still four massive players for us that are missing. But the group is in a good place. “And when they start to tire on 78 minutes and you have the full backing of the fans and even from the first minute to be honest, the fans were excellent. “So I’m pleased for the lads because I’ve spoken about it since I took over.” He added: “It’s important for the players. You can see we have a group that are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they’re performing at their maximum. “It’s been tough for them at times, because we’ve been a bit short with injuries, so they’ve had to suffer some tough results. We have a group that is a lot, lot stronger now.” Asked if the four players he mentioned are close to returning, O’Neil added: “They’re slightly different and a couple we’re hoping to get back ahead of schedule. “A couple are doing really well. Obviously I’m hopeful to get them back as soon as possible.” Cherries go to Wolves on Saturday.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on draw with Newcastle United #AFCB

February 12, 2023
Marcos Senesi’s first goal for the club was ruled out by Miguel Almiron’s strike on the stroke of half-time, and in the second half, returnee Dominic Solanke must have thought he had sealed the points late on when Kieran Trippier cleared his backheel off the line. O’Neil shared how he thought the performance was a further improvement despite not earning his side all three points. He began: “There were some improvements. “I thought we built on a decent performance against Brighton last week with another one. “I thought the longer the game went on, we looked more likely to win it. “Slightly disappointed that we didn’t take all three. “The boys’ performance and the chances we created deserved three, but against a very good side that have not lost a game in a long time, it was probably as close as they’ve come to losing one.” Cherries’ head coach went on to expound on his belief that his side deserved all three points, pointing to chances spurned by Solanke and Marcus Tavernier in the second period. “Obviously the Solanke chance, the Tavernier chance, two big chances,” he restarted. “I thought we were very threatening. It will be interesting to see the sort of numbers and stuff on it, but I would suggest we were unlucky not to go on and win it.” O’Neil also commented how he had been “desperate” to get into the break unscathed, with Almiron’s equaliser Newcastle’s only clear-cut chance of the first half. He explained: “I was worried about the last ten minutes because they were forced into a change of shape when Gordon came on. It took our lads a bit of a while to (adapt) to the tactical change. “I was desperate to get to half time so we could fix a couple of things. “We didn't quite get there. Disappointing with the goal, obviously some errors in it, as there always are. “I think if you look at the performance, at the atmosphere, the connection between the lads and the fans today. “It was a good afternoon, but disappointed for the lads that they didn't get all three.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on debutants performance in defeat against Brighton #AFCB

February 6, 2023
CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil was “pleased” with his new signings’ performances during the defeat to Brighton at the weekend. O’Neil handed starts to January addition Antoine Semenyo and Hamed Traore at the Amex as Cherries were downed 1-0 by Kaoru Mitoma’s late header. Semenyo played the full 90 minutes, the Ghanaian international coming close to opening his account around the 69th minute mark whilst one-on-one with Brighton keeper Roberto Sanchez. Traore caught the eye before being replaced by Ryan Christie on 60 minutes, the Ivorian clearly tiring. There was another debut handed out late on into the game, Matias Vina brought off the bench for his first taste of English football. Asked for his thoughts on his new charges’ performances, O’Neil responded: “Yeah, I was (impressed with the new signings.) “Thought Dango was excellent as well, and obviously there are other good performances in there from the boys that have been here longer. “But yeah, I was pleased with the new lads, pleased with how they settled. There were some positives.”O’Neil then went on to point how there were key players still sidelined with injury, believing that performances and results would improve when Cherries return to full strength. Players currently out injured include talisman Dom Solanke, star attacker Marcus Tavernier, and captain Lloyd Kelly. Despite six new signings in January, O’Neil was forced to name three members of Cherries’ development squad, with Ben Greenwood and Euan Pollock joined by Max Kinsey-Wellings,  young centre-back. He continued: “We have still got three young lads on the bench at the minute. “We have some injury issues, so I expect it to improve further from where it is. “The only centre-backs that we have, are on the pitch. The only two we have. “Dom (Solanke), Tav (Marcus Tavernier), Lloyd (Kelly) Jack Stephens, Lewis Cook. “Lots of people that can still come in and add to what we already managed to produce a good performance with today.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil says Bournemouth should have got something against Brighton #AFCB

February 5, 2023
GARY O’Neil insists he is “fully comfortable” with his position, adding: “I’m not interested in answering questions on my future.” Cherries fell to a late Kaoru Mitoma goal at the Amex Stadium, losing 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion. It marked an eighth game in succession without victory for Cherries since O’Neil became permanent head coach, losing seven. Asked how he assesses the situation, with Cherries now slipping to 19th in the Premier League table, O’Neil told BBC Radio Solent: “There’s a long way to go. Same again next week, let’s try and win a football match.” Asked if he is confident he will get the time to turn the club’s form around, O’Neil added: “I’m not interested in answering questions on my future, I'm fully comfortable with the situation as it is.” Speaking later in his press conference, assessing the contest against the Seagulls, O’Neil said: “We should have got something out of the game. “I thought the performance was good and I’m disappointed for the lads that they don't take any points. “I think we kept Brighton at bay. Of course, they dominate the ball, that’s the way they play. “They create some chances, of course. They're a good side, but I thought we were a real threat. “I thought we arrived in attacking areas a lot of times during the match. “My only criticism from there would be we have to score at least one goal from the situations that we create. “And today was one of those days where we didn't quite manage it.” He continued: “Then we get caught with a late goal, which there was a foul in the build up to as well. “Lewis Dunk throws (Matias) Vina to the floor by his arm. So I was surprised it was given, but disappointed for the lads because they gave a lot and they deserve some points.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on penalty shouts against Brighton #AFCB

February 5, 2023
CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil believed his side should have had two penalties during their defeat to Brighton at the Amex. The Seagulls edged past their south coast neighbours 1-0, courtesy of Kaoru Mitoma’s 86th minute header. O’Neil and Cherries were left frustrated by the match officials for two incidents that they perceived as spot-kicks. In the first-half January recruit Dango Ouattara appeared to be shoved from behind inside the box, the Burkinabe winger nipping ahead of Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan. Estupinan was at the centre of the controversy for the second incident, Ryan Christie’s cross clearly striking the Ecuadorian’s hand, which was tucked into his side. Asked for his thoughts on the penalty shouts, O’Neil responded: “I think they're both penalties. “Let's go second one first. “I'll point you in the direction of Jefferson Lerma at Newcastle. “I've seen both images back, they're exactly the same. “Ryan Christie's cross, it's going directly to Dango in the middle of the goal and hits (Estupinan) on the arm, which is in the exact same place, maybe slightly further away from his body than Jefferson Lerma’s was at Newcastle. “I don't want to complain, I'm just going to give you my thoughts on it. “The one in the first half I think is a foul. “I think I've heard coming together as a term to describe it, but Dango gets in front of the defender and then there is contact. “I thought it was a foul. It is what it is.” O’Neil also believed there to be a foul in the build up to Brighton’s winner, with debutant Matias Vina seemingly hauled down inside the box off the ball. He explained: “On Vina, Lewis Dunk throws Vina to the floor by his arm.”Cherries’ head coach then went onto insist that it was down to his side to improve, despite his thoughts on the decisions made by match official Craig Pawson. “We need to make sure we improve, make sure we score goals ourselves. But that's what I thought of the three incidents.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil comments on working with latest recruits #AFCB

February 4, 2023
CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil commented how he was “excited to get to work” with the younger new recruits at the Vitality Stadium. There seemed to be a clear profile for the majority of Cherries’ business in January, with four signings boasting serious potential whilst being able to help Cherries immediately, according to O’Neil. The Dorset club made a total of six signings during the transfer window, with all but one under the age of 25. Depth issues were addressed as veteran Darren Randolph was added to the goalkeeping department, whilst the left-back spot received much needed competition with the addition of Matías Viña from Roma. Fellow defender Illia Vabarnyi has previously been described as a wonderkid, with the 20-year-old already playing in the Champions League and at the last Euros with Ukraine. Cherries’ lack of goals was also addressed, with three new attackers added to O’Neil’s arsenal. Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traore are all capable of playing in a myriad of positions, with O’Neil sharing where they will fit into the team. He told the Daily Echo: “There's a lot of work that goes into signing players, so you have a clear idea as to where you think they fit and what they can do. “But then there's always when they arrive, you improve that understanding. “Watching somebody play for somebody else is never the same as seeing them in your own sessions or tactical set up. “So once they arrive, you get a closer look and as you can say, a few of them can do sort of multiple positions, which is which is helpful. “Based on that, I see them in quite a variety of positions.” Despite their tender years, the outfield additions will be expected to contribute from the off, although O’Neil pointed out there was plenty of room for them to improve as players. He restarted: “The age of them as well, Illia (Zabarnyi), 20, (Hamed) Traore, 22. I think Dango (Ouattara) is still only 20. “Antoine (Semenyo), still young and has played in the Championship, so working with him to get him understanding the Premier League and what he can do to make the step up, of course. “So, yeah, it's exciting. I think when you look at the month we had, they can help us here and now. “As I've said, they're exciting here and now, but still all have fantastic years ahead of them because of their age and the potential development that we have with them. So we’re excited to get to work with them.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hopes for big impact from Joe Rothwell #AFCB

February 3, 2023
GARY O’Neil hopes Joe Rothwell can show “what a good player he can be” in the second half of the season, after a frustrating start to life on the south coast. Cherries pursued Rothwell for some time before finally snapping him up as a free agent last summer, after his contract at Blackburn Rovers expired. The midfielder impressed during pre-season, only to be struck down by a quad injury on the eve of the Premier League campaign. Rothwell had to wait until October to finally make his Cherries bow, with further substitute appearances following either side of the World Cup break. With Lewis Cook and Philip Billing both ruled out through injury, O’Neil turned to Rothwell, handing the 28-year-old his first Premier League start last time out. He played 75 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and will hope to keep his place when Cherries head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (3pm). Discussing Rothwell’s time at Cherries so far and what he has made of his behind the scenes since his arrival, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Joe’s got quality, of course. “He’s been unfortunate, because he suffered a fairly significant injury early when he arrived and Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma have done well as a pairing in midfield. “So it’s been hard for Joe to get minutes. “It’s sometimes the way it goes. You suffer an injury at the wrong time, the two that end up playing do well and you have to wait your time. “But he’s trained well, he still shows his quality, he’s a good lad, I get on really well with him. “Hopefully Joe starts to get more minutes and shows everyone what a good player he can be.” Reflecting on Rothwell’s performance against Forest, O’Neil added: “I thought he brought us some quality with the ball, at times. “I thought he made some nice passes, tried to get on it, worked his socks off. “So I’m pleased for Joe, because obviously he’s had to be patient. “I thought he did well, against a good Nottingham Forest side. “A lot of the boys put in a real, good performance that they should be proud of.” Rothwell, who began his career at Manchester United, dropped down the leagues to get game-time, featuring in League One with Oxford United before four seasons in the second tier at Blackburn. His dribbling and the ability to carry the ball up the pitch were a big reason in Cherries bringing him to the club, something Marcus Tavernier excelled at, albeit in a different position, prior to his recent injury. The former Middlesbrough man is unlikely to return in time for face Brighton, as he continues with individual training work following his hamstring problem. Asked if Rothwell can provide some of what Cherries miss in Tavernier’s absence, O’Neil said: “He’s very different to Tav. But Joe Rothwell has strengths, he can carry the ball. “He plays in a very different position, but we will obviously use Joe Rothwell and his strengths the best we can. “Of the boys that are fit, they’re all very, very important. They all know they have a huge part to play moving forward. Joe Rothwell will be important to us.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Dango Ouattara debut #AFCB

January 22, 2023
CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil believed debutant Dango Ouattara “coped exceptionally well” during the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. The Burkinabè provided an assist for Jaidon Anthony to open scores, before Cherries academy graduate Sam Surridge struck late on to ensure spoils were shared. Ouattara arrived at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday following his transfer from FC Lorient, the Burkina Faso international instantly thrust into Cherries’ starting line-up due to injuries. Despite the addition of Ouattra, Cherries had to pad out their matchday squad with three youngsters, highlighting the injuries issues O’Neil’s charges currently face. Philip Billing was a late drop out in the week leading up to the game, with the Dane joining Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook, and Marcus Tavernier in the treatment room. O'Neil explains Billing absence from Forest clash Asked about the 20-year-old’s performance, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought it was a tough week for him, to be honest. “I think he obviously hadn’t trained much, he's done a lot of traveling. If we hadn’t had the injuries that we have at the moment, we have a depleted squad at this moment in time, Tavs (Marcus Tavernier),  Dom (Solanke), Lewis Cook, Phil Billing all key players for us. “So we were forced, maybe, into starting Dango. I thought he would be able to cope, I think he coped exceptionally well. “He’s done one day training with the lads, doesn’t know anybody. He worked his socks off, looked a threat. I was pretty pleased with him.” A livewire in a rejuvenated Cherries attack, Ouattara seemed to combine well with Anthony. Asked how the system worked, O’Neil shared: “It’s a similar style which we've used, just Dango gives us a different outlet. “Similar, there weren’t many changes to the structure. JZ came in and we tried to do some work done that side. “Knew that Dango would be a threat down the right side with his pace. So some combination play on the left, pace on the right. “So nothing that we haven't done before, but since we've been missing Tavs, we haven't had that pace down the side.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil remembers good times previously working with Arnaut Danjuma #AFCB

January 21, 2023
GARY O’Neil would not confirm nor deny whether Cherries could bring Arnaut Danjuma back in this transfer window, but insisted: “Wherever he goes to next will be pleased to have him.” The Daily Echo understands Cherries are among a handful of clubs interested in signing the winger, on loan, this month. He is understood to be available with parent club Villarreal reportedly allowing him to travel around Europe in the past week to speak to potentially interested parties. Premier League duo Everton and Nottingham Forest have been heavily linked, as well as Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Danjuma’s first professional club. Discussing Cherries’ interest in the 25-year-old, head coach O’Neil said: “I don’t like speaking about other team’s players, but obviously I know Arnie. “I’ve worked with him. Arnie knows what I think of him. “He’s a fantastic talent. “He was excellent for us while he was here, especially towards the end of his spell. “I’m sure wherever he goes to next will be pleased to have him. “He’s an attacking talent. I like Arnie. I enjoyed working with him and he knows that.” Asked if there is still a chance Danjuma returns to Cherries this month, a club he spent two years at before leaving in 2021, O’Neil added: “I don’t know. I haven’t been updated in the last 24 hours on the situation really. “We’ve managed to get Dango in and then full focus is on the game tomorrow (against Nottingham Forest). “The boys that are here are important to me, so I need to make sure they’re all ready.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil pleased with Cherries’ squad effort during ‘tough moment’ of the season #AFCB

January 17, 2023
GARY O’Neil admits Cherries are in a “tough moment”, but feels they were “unfortunate” to suffer defeat at Brentford. Since moving from interim to permanent head coach, O’Neil has presided over six defeats from six, the latest a 2-0 reverse at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Cherries went to Brentford already without Dominic Solanke, Ryan Fredericks, Junior Stanislas and David Brooks due to injury, as well as the suspended Adam Smith. That meant teenage trio Dominic Sadi, Michael Dacosta Gonzalez and Daniel Adu-Adjei were drafted in to make up the numbers on the bench, named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time. Cherries were then dealt a further blow when Lewis Cook was forced off with a knee injury, with the scores level at 0-0. Brentford soon went in front, the hosts controversially awarded a penalty when Ivan Toney went over under Marcos Senesi’s challenge. Mathias Jensen then put the game to bed in the second half, leaving Cherries just one point outside of the relegation zone at the halfway mark of the Premier League season. “I thought the players were fully committed, gave everything, worked their socks off, right to the end,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “When we arrived in their final third, maybe lacked a little bit of quality and cutting edge, but created some decent opportunities. “I didn’t think there was much in the game, against a good side. “Obviously we’re in a bit of a tricky spot, with injuries and as you can see with the bench, we’re a bit short, some kids on there. “For a squad that is in a tough moment, I thought they gave everything, which is all you can ask.” Asked if it is tough to keep the heads of the players up when such efforts have gone unrewarded for six games on the spin, O’Neil added: “I think what I saw (on Saturday) is they’re fine. “They’re still fully committed. Obviously when you suffer a defeat, there’s a day or two where you feel a bit sorry for yourself. “But every time, by the next game, they look ready to go. “I thought they were ready to go on Saturday evening. Competed with Brentford, a physical side, direct, chuck the ball in your box a lot. “I didn’t think they looked like a side that were struggling to commit to what they were looking to achieve. “I thought they were unfortunate to come away with nothing. “Two-nil probably slightly flatters Brentford, obviously a goal on a counter-attack when we were in the ascendancy, probably against the run of play, and a scandalous penalty decision.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on AFC Bournemouth’s David Brooks #AFCB

January 13, 2023
GARY O’Neil insisted Cherries will not rush back David Brooks – with the head coach stressing: “My only thought on that is what’s best for David Brooks.” Highly-rated Brooks has been sidelined for over a year since a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s’ Lymphoma in October 2021. After being given the all clear in May 2022, Brooks has been on the long road to full match fitness, with a hamstring injury setting back the Welsh international earlier this season. Pictured training with the first team this week, there is hopes that a return to action is not far away for the 25-year-old. Asked for the latest on Brooks, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, he's done some stuff with us. “Trained really well, looks good. “Obviously still a lot of progression still to do to get him match ready, but yeah, he's trained really well. “Looks bright, looks sharp, still see the real quality that he has. “So it would be a lovely bonus to get Brooksy back in and around it.” With Cherries out of form and looking threadbare due to outgoings and injuries, there might be the temptation to rush Brooks back. However, O’Neil reiterated that Cherries will look after Brooks, ensuring that he returns when he is “ready to go.” “My only thought on that is what's best for David Brooks,” restarted O’Neil. “I think that the journey he’s been on, there'll be no rushing David Brooks for what we need. “It will be around what he needs and what's best for him, until we can get him back to fully 100 per cent and ready to go.” Trio Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fredericks, and Marcus Tavernier were all pictured training together as they step up their returns from injury. Speaking on veterans Fredericks and Stanislas, O’Neil shared: “They're both working hard to get themselves up to speed. “I'm not sure on the exact time frames on either of them, but they're both at a similar point in their recovery. “They’ve been doing a little bit of work on the grass together. “It'd be good to get them back because obviously we've had a couple go out on loan, we've had a few injuries, a few illnesses, so numbers aren't as big as they were before the break.” Discussing star Tarvernier, O’Neil added: “Tavs, the time frame now - they're probably at a similar level (Tavernier, Fredericks, and Stanislas.) “It changes. Obviously some progress faster than others. There's no set date for a return on any of them, but obviously we're pushing them. “We have some big games coming up, so to get as many involved as possible will be big for us.” O’Neil also confirmed goalkeeper Neto was back in training following a hamstring injury.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil speaks after losing to Burnley in FA Cup #AFCB

January 8, 2023
GARY O’Neil understood fans’ frustration following Cherries’ FA Cup 4-2 defeat to Burnley – sharing: “I feel the same." An error-strewn performance saw Cherries gift goals to their guests for three of the four strikes they scored at the Vitality Stadium. Braces from Manuel Benson and Anass Zaroury more than than cancelled out Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke efforts in each half. Cherries conspired to repeatedly give the ball away in their own half three times, leaving O’Neil perplexed – and according to the head coach, also ensuring that it was “impossible” for Cherries to win the tie. A smattering of boos followed the half-time and full-time whistles, with captain Lloyd Kelly also receiving jeers from the crowd throughout the encounter. Asked if he understood the frustration from fans, O’Neil responded: “Yeah. I feel the same. “The three huge errors for the goals make it impossible to win the football match. That is the story of the game, really. “You give away three ridiculous goals and you have no chance.” Whilst Cherries stopped the rot of conceding from set-pieces, systematic errors became individual, with Marcos Senesi, Lewis Cook, and Ryan Christie losing the ball for three of the goals. Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have received praise for their passing prowess, but Burnley only had to turn on the style for their third, Zaroury showing nice footwork and a curling finish. The nature of the other three goals came out of nowhere according to O’Neil, who restarted: “They’re basic errors. I haven't seen loads of them in our time working with the team. “So to see three in one afternoon was surprising.” Despite the numerous errors, O’Neil believes his side would not repeat them in similar situations moving forward. “I probably wouldn't group them,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “I think every error has its reasons and it's difficult to explain them. “I think if you put those boys in that situation again, there's almost a zero per cent chance that they'd make the same error. “It doesn't help us, like I say, because the Crystal Palace and Burnley game are winnable games for us and we manage to beat ourselves in them both.  “So Crystal Palace and Burnley didn't really do a lot to beat us.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil explains his role in Bournemouth transfer policy #AFCB

January 7, 2023
GARY O’Neil says he will have an input on who Cherries sign this month, but stressed transfer policy was not his main role as head coach. O’Neil is in charge of a club in a transfer window for the first time as a head coach, having been promoted up from his previous role as interim in November. Cherries are keen to add players to their squad this month, with new owner Bill Foley recently quoted as saying the club would like to make four or five new additions. Asked how much say he has on who Cherries sign this month, O’Neil said: “January can be tricky, but what is also important is I am the head coach. "My main job is to improve the players that we have. "I know the club are keen to have new arrivals, we’re keen to help the group that are still here. "But my main job as head coach is to make sure the ones we’ve got performing, perform to the best of their ability, so full focus on that at the moment. "We have a way it works at the football club. I’m the head coach and there will be a transfer policy in place. “I will have a say on how it goes and who comes through the door. “But as the role says, my main job is to make sure whoever does come in and the players who are already playing are performing at the top of their ability. “Of course the head coach of the club will have conversations around who comes in. “But obviously my main focus is making sure the lads who are here are ready to go because we’ve had a game every three days for the last couple of weeks.” He added: “There’s conversations around what I think we need, what positions, what type. “Of course there’s conversations so I will have a say on who comes in.” Quizzed on if he feels Cherries need to add a striker this month, given the club have failed to find the net in six hours of football since the resumption after the World Cup break, O’Neil said: “There are a few positions in the squad that I would like to strengthen. “I think attacking threat is definitely one of them.” Chairman Foley attended last weekend’s disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, one of four games in succession Cherries have failed to find the net in. They also lost without scoring against Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks. Asked if those results have made Foley stress the need for signings even more, O’Neil said: “The results won’t have changed it, no. “There’s been a policy in place and there’s been discussions since that moment that Bill took over. “Between Bill and the board and the board and myself, so constant dialogue. “We are hopeful we can start to add people to the group. But we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals Confidence is fine, we knew there’d be tough spells #AFCB

January 5, 2023
BOSS Gary O’Neil praised the response of his players since Saturday’s abject home display against Crystal Palace, insisting confidence levels among the squad remain high. Following the World Cup break, Cherries have lost all four of their matches, without scoring. The latest defeat came on Tuesday night, going down 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The poor run of form stretches back to October, with four defeats on the spin prior to back-to-back victories over Everton. Asked how the players had reacted to what O’Neil had described as the worst performance of his tenure on Saturday, ahead of the quick turnaround to face Man Utd, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The boys were excellent straightaway. “Training (on Monday) I had to actually get them to back off a little bit, the intensity was really good. “The boys, you never have to question them. As I said after the Palace game, I knew I would get that response. “My only disappointment comes in that when you arrive in those situations that many times as you do, we have to score a goal (against Man Utd). At this level, you have to score. “When you play through the shape the way we did, arrive in front of their goal, a header from Philip Billing seven yards out unchallenged, Jaidon Anthony arrives a few times, even the ones we don’t get a shot off from Jack Stacey flashing things across the goal. “We needed to score a goal. At 2-1 it could have been different.” Asked if he was concerned by the recent lack of goals, O’Neil added: “Not on Tuesday’s performance, no.” Cherries’ head coach was later asked about confidence levels within the squad, after another convincing defeat. “Confidence is fine, that won’t be a problem," said O'Neil. “We need to win football matches. I use the phrase a lot ‘newly-promoted team’ in a big boy league and it’s ruthless. “So if anyone came into this thinking there wouldn’t be tough spells, then they’re not thinking clearly. “There’s been tough spells and the boys have responded to every single one and we will again.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes 3-0 defeat against Manchester United was harsh on Bournemouth #AFCB

January 4, 2023
BOSS Gary O’Neil believes tonight’s 3-0 score-line against Manchester United was “harsh” on Cherries, insisting: “I thought we were very good.” Cherries trailed 1-0 at half-time to a Casemiro volley, with Luke Shaw doubling the tally early in the second half. Marcus Rashford wrapped up the victory in the closing stages, as Cherries saw Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony efforts stopped by goalkeeper David De Gea. Assessing his side’s performance against United, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought we were very good. “I thought 3-0 was harsh on us. I thought we had some real good chances. “The first goal was disappointing of course, because we had kept them at bay really and hadn’t been under too much threat. “At 0-0 I thought the boys had nailed the out-of-possession shape, broke out a few times. So to concede from a wide free-kick when you’re 0-0 and well in the game was tough for them, because they didn’t deserve it. “Then you go in at half-time, try and be slightly more aggressive, press slightly more often. Same shape, just try and press slightly more often. “Get caught getting one slightly wrong when they score, 2-0 and then it’s a tough ask. But the response again from that moment, I thought the boys were excellent. “We had six big chances, David De Gea making good saves. And I thought the majority of Man Utd’s chances came once we had opened the pitch up. There was lots to be pleased with.” Cherries have now lost all four matches since returning from the World Cup break, failing to find the net in any. O’Neil added: “The important thing for me is that it looked like us today. “As it has done apart from the Palace game I think, since I took the job. “Every game has looked like us, for large spells at least. Obviously we lost a couple of leads in the games before the break, but if you perform like that, I thought we were well-organised, I thought we picked our times well to press. “We had a large per cent of possession for a newly-promoted team away at Man United. We had over 40 per cent of the ball and created big chances. “No-one wants to lose 3-0, but we didn’t deserve to lose 3-0. But if you are going to lose 3-0, that’s the way you do it. “I’m pleased with large parts of the performance. If we produce that every week, we’ll climb the table, no problem. It needs to look like that all the time.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hopeful of additions as January transfer window opens #AFCB

January 2, 2023
GARY O’Neil is hopeful Cherries can “improve” their “fantastic” squad, with the transfer window now open again. Clubs in England have until Tuesday, January 31 to conclude deals to strengthen for the second half of the season. Cherries slipped to 15th in the Premier League table, following Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 home reverse against Crystal Palace. This month marks the first time new owner Bill Foley can provide funds for transfers, after completing his takeover of the club last month. He has previously stated his hope to add “four or five” new players to the squad in this window. Asked if the performance against Crystal Palace has heightened the need for additions, boss O’Neil said: “No, I don’t like to react to things quickly. “I think we’ve achieved a decent points tally in the last few games with the group we’ve got. “They’re a fantastic group. “The transfer window opens and, as with the other 19 teams in the league, we’ll be looking to improve. “It’s not always easy in January. Sometimes it’s a tricky month to get good players out of where they are. “But we will be looking to improve. Hopefully help the boys we’ve got here, who are a great group, work their socks off - honest, have quality. “But if we can add to that, of course it helps our chances.”