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.”
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth star Jaidon Anthony insists sacked manager Scott Parker ‘always gave you belief’ #AFCB

November 2, 2022
WINGER Jaidon Anthony defended former Cherries boss Scott Parker and said he was “top” with the players behind the scenes. Parker was sacked by the Dorset club after just four games of the Premier League campaign, following losses to Arsenal, Manchester City and a humiliating 9-0 reverse against Liverpool. Following the defeat at Anfield in August, Parker said his side were “unequipped” after making the step up from the Championship to the Premier League. Asked what that was like to hear, Anthony told The Beautiful Game Podcast: “I always speak highly of the old manager as well. He was top with the players. “Probably behind the scenes, it wasn’t like that. As a player he always gave you belief as well. “I think when you are a team coming up and you’ve got Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool in your first few fixtures, it’s not going to be easy. “Anyone looking at it at the start of the season wouldn’t have written us off anyway. When you are in it and you get three big defeats it’s hard.   “Now it’s nice we have got some good results and are confident but it’s weird as a player in those moments. You don’t focus on it really.” Cherries have since gone on to register 10 points from nine games under interim boss Gary O’Neil.
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Unlike Scott Parker, Interim head coach Gary O’Neil believes Bournemouth squad can be competitive in Premier League #AFCB

September 2, 2022
INTERIM head coach Gary O'Neil insists Cherries' squad "have enough to be competitive at this level", despite what former boss Scott Parker said over the weekend. Parker repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction at the lack of depth within Cherries' squad following promotion to the Premier League. That all came to a head after Saturday's 9-0 crushing at Liverpool on Saturday, which ultimately saw Parker lose his job on Tuesday. Cherries improved to pick up a point with a 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening, with O'Neil at the helm for the first time. Asked after the game if he agreed with Parker that this current squad was not sufficient to compete in the Premier League, O'Neil said: "As a group, they’re the most honest, hard-working, together, relentless group that I’ve ever been involved with. Even in my playing career. "You can throw everything at them and they’ll never quit. I think we have enough to be competitive at this level, yes." He added: "Holding on for the point obviously was big. But I don’t think it was even the point. I think it was the togetherness and the performance and how hard they work and how they dug in together that gives them a real feeling of satisfaction and that they have achieved something together, from a tough place at the weekend that wasn’t easy for anybody. "I’ve been there as a player, you go through moments that are tough. "The good thing with football is you always get a chance to respond in the next game. It was key that we did and we’ve started that. "My underlying feeling is really proud of what they’ve given out there. "I’ve only been with them a day and a bit and asked them to produce something like and them to manage to produce it, I’m very proud of what they produced." Discussing what his main message to the group has been this week since taking over, the former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough midfielder said: "We tried to go through some bits that we thought would help us (against Wolves), but mainly around the resilience, the togetherness, the response, the results we’ve had and what a great opportunity (Wednesday) was to show everybody that we’re still together and that we can put in performances and bounce back from tough situations." He added: "It was a tough result at the weekend, changes in the week, to be able to come out and show the fans, who were excellent as well by the way, that we’re still together and the boys were willing to give everything and fight and put their bodies on the line was a big positive for us."
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on first days as interim boss after sudden sacking of Scott Parker #AFCB

September 2, 2022
GARY O’Neil has held the ambition of being a football manager for some time – but even the former Bolton and Norwich midfielder did not think his first game in management would come at the top table of English football. No stranger to the Premier League thanks to his 215 games in the top-flight, O’Neil led Cherries to a 0-0 draw in his first 36 hours as interim boss of the south coast club, following the departure of Scott Parker. Still playing Championship football as recently as 2019, O’Neil has been a first team coach at Cherries since February 2021, when he joined as a part of then interim head coach Jonathan Woodgate’s backroom staff. Reflecting on his first days as Cherries boss, O’Neil shared: “I set off on my coaching journey when I started doing my badges with the aim of being a football manager. Did I expect my first game to be in the Premier League, off the back of a tough defeat? “No, I didn’t. “But I think I had 36 hours probably to think about it and I think I used all 36 hours thinking. “So there was a lot that went into trying to get the boys into a place to be able to go out there and give a performance this evening. “The underlying feeling is proud of what they’ve produced and hopefully we can improve certain bits.” Joined in the dugout for the Wolves clash was development squad duo, and former Cherries favourites, Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick. The pair stepped into the breach alongside O’Neil, after numerous members of Parker’s coaching team followed him out of the door at the Vitality Stadium. “They’ve given me as much help as they can,” O’Neil shared. “It’s obviously a whirlwind for everybody, such a short period of time to get ready for a game. “But everybody around the club that could help me has helped me. “It’s nice to try and pull together in a tough moment and to manage to hang on at the end when they had some big chances and we had to put bodies on the line. It would’ve been a tough blow for everybody to concede one late on. So just really pleased and the staff have been great. “If I’m analysing the game from watching it on the touchline, it didn’t look exactly how I wanted it to look. “We lost control a little bit in moments and they were the dominant force for spells. But I think we could’ve hurt them more with our moments. “Some of our moments were big moments, so I think we need to improve that. “We need to have more of those moments, we need to be more of a threat, but to put in a performance like they did with the togetherness, the organisation, the determination to keep the ball out of your goal and trouble a very good Wolves side on a few occasions was a good start.”
Jurgen Klopp Liverpool
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jurgen Klopp believes Parker did ‘outstanding job’ at Cherries and outlines his transfer strategy #LFC #AFCB

August 30, 2022
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp said Scott Parker was doing an “outstanding job” at Cherries and insisted: “In a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody.” The Merseyside manager, a winner of the Champions League and Premier League at Anfield, saw his side dish out a 9-0 hammering to Parker’s side on Saturday. The result equalled the Premier League record for biggest margin of victory, as well as the joint-highest defeat for Cherries as a club. Prior to the game, Klopp described Cherries as a “proper team” for the way they earned Championship promotion last season, as well as outlining his respect for the Dorset outfit in his programme notes. Klopp was also seen comforting Parker on the touchline during the record-equalling result – a gesture which was described as a “touch of class” by former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas on Match of The Day. Parker admitted to the Daily Echo the defeat had been the toughest day of his career in football, as either a player or coach. Asked by the Daily Echo whether he felt sympathy for Parker, and whether he had spoken to him after the game, Klopp replied: “We spoke, of course, but not about that. He didn’t moan or whatever about the situation. “But when you look at the other two teams who went up (Fulham and Nottingham Forest) and you look what they spend. “Then you look at Bournemouth and you think, okay… What will happen there? It’s not about the squad is not strong enough or whatever, not at all. It’s just the league is a really tough one. “Especially I think in a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody, because it will be difficult. “It’s clear in the moment when you have the promotion – then it’s already clear, the problems start now.” Parker joined Cherries after leaving Fulham in June 2021, signing a three-year contract at Vitality Stadium. He guided Cherries to the Premier League last season, finishing second behind Fulham in the Championship table. “I think he is doing an incredible, absolutely outstanding job arriving there and getting promoted immediately in a league where Fulham is flying away, Nottingham Forest were flying – that was a big one,” continued Klopp. “Yes, I have a lot of sympathy for him.” Cherries’ next top-flight test comes against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm).
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s owner Maxim Demin issues controversial statement on Scott Parker’s departure #AFCB

August 30, 2022
CHERRIES owner Maxim Demin shared that the decision to part ways with head coach Scott Parker stemmed from a difference in views on the "strategy to run the club sustainably." This morning Cherries announced that Parker would be departing the Vitality Stadium just over a year after his appointment, after three losses from the club's first four Premier League games. In numerous interviews, Parker repeatedly stressed that his side needed further reinforcements, citing that there were a "million different reasons" Cherries had not strengthened over the summer. Demin also seemed to suggest that Parker did not "show belief in and respect for one another". Speaking to the club's website, Demin shared: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us. “Our promotion back to the Premier League last season under his tenure will always be remembered as one of the most successful seasons in our history. “However, in order for us to keep progressing as a team and a Club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably. “We must also show belief in and respect for one another. “That is the approach that has brought this club so much success in recent history, and one that we will not veer from now. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately.” Gary O'Neil has stepped into the breach to serve as interim manager, with development squad coaches Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick assisting. Cherries are next in action tomorrow, when they host Wolves at the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker on Anfield ‘challenge’, transfers and Nat Phillips #AFCB #LFC

August 26, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker’s message to his squad ahead of Cherries’ trip to Anfield is clear – to ‘try and challenge’ Liverpool, rather than find the experience ‘daunting’. Parker will travel to Merseyside as the last manager to record a Premier League win away at Liverpool, with his Fulham side the last team to beat Jurgen Klopp’s Reds at Anfield back in March 2021, a 1-0 victory. Liverpool are yet to record a win this season, with Klopp’s charges tasting defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United on Monday. Their first home game of the campaign ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, with the away side opening scores. Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Parker shared: “These are the games that certainly when I was as a player and even now, sitting here as a coach, these are ones you thrive off, really. “You're going up in boxing terms, pound for pound. “They’re elite in everything they do. And you need to adopt an attitude, which is you want to go and try and challenge that. “You want to relish that opportunity and try and get the better of that, rather than the opposite, really. And I think that's probably the main message. “That was certainly the main message before when I’ve been to Anfield, certainly the way I thought about playing against these big players in these big teams. “It was one I embraced and one that I look forward to, really. So, yeah, I need to give that message to the team, really. "And these players, which is very new to some of them, the Premier League, Anfield, Man City away. “These are all big challenges, but ones they need to embrace and look forward to. “The other option is you find it very daunting, you find it very difficult. "And that's the polar opposite to what I want, really. So, yeah, we need to (It’s cliché), but we need to enjoy it. Of course we do. “We need to enjoy it in a real positive way. We need to establish ourselves. We need to show our qualities, for sure. “And while they may be limited and while they may be very difficult, is certainly something we need to embrace in that sense.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker shares delight after Norwich City cup win, transfer business and David Brooks contract signing #AFCB

August 22, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker is hoping players with Premier League experience can be added to his Cherries squad by the end of the transfer window, insisting: "Everyone is trying everything they can to try and strengthen us." Cherries fell to a second humbling defeat in as many weeks on Saturday, crashing to a resounding 3-0 home loss against Arsenal, having been beaten 4-0 at Manchester City seven days earlier. Parker's men currently sit 14th in the embryonic Premier League table, picking up three points from an opening-day win over Aston Villa. They are set to drop to 15th tonight, once the third round of matches have been completed. Speaking after the loss to Arsenal, Parker slammed his squad's first-half performance, in which they conceded twice in the opening 11 minutes. He said: "In terms of our general endeavour, our body language, our humility to accept certain situations, I thought we were just easily disappointed. Our general demeanour was pretty poor really and I was disappointed immensely with that." Asked if he felt any of that could be put down to his squad lacking in Premier League experience, and perhaps some players being overawed by the occasion, boss Parker told the Daily Echo: "Maybe, it could be. "I think you’re right to maybe say that. "This is a young team. There’s a lot of young players out there, players that have probably not experienced the level and the quality that they’re going to be facing. "That’s my job to obviously let them understand that that’s part and parcel of the Premier League. "Many a bigger team than us have faced what they faced (on Saturday) and Arsenal have done that to them. But we need to understand that and keep going in those situations really." Cherries have so far this summer recruited five players, but only one of those arrived having played in the Premier League before, in injured full-back Ryan Fredericks. Asked if he would like to bring in some more players with Premier League experience before the transfer window slams shut on September 1, or if it is hard for the club to get deals over the line for players within that sort of bracket, Parker added: "Hopefully that can be the case, for us to evolve as a football club. "When you get promoted, the expectation of getting promoted and the levels of what you’re going into, to evolve and to improve is certainly something that hopefully we can do with obviously getting promoted. "There’s 10 days left and everyone is trying everything they can to try and strengthen us and try and move the squad on in that sense."
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony on making his Premier League debut and leaving Arsenal #AFCB #ArsenalFC

August 21, 2022
STARLET Jaidon Anthony labelled his Premier League debut as a “special day” even if Cherries’ 3-0 defeat to Arsenal was “disappointing”. Two first half goals from Martin Odegaard effectively decided the result 10 minutes into the game, leaving Cherries head coach Scott Parker to switch tactics at half-time. The winger was introduced as a half-time substitute for Marcos Senesi, seeing Cherries move from a 3-5-1-1 to a 4-3-3, with Anthony deployed on the left-wing. READ MORE: William Saliba added a third shortly before the hour mark, but Cherries were notably improved in the second period. Reflecting on his first taste of Premier League football, Anthony told the Daily Echo: “It was disappointing, the first half, for the team. “They punished us very quickly and we didn't really get near them too much. “So, we just wanted to try and make an impact in the second half, and get around them and I thought we'd done a bit better. “Obviously disappointing result, but a special day. “We didn't really get too close to them in the first half and the manager just wanted to try and get near them, get around them and I think the new formation definitely helped. “It was a disappointing day overall. We'll learn from that, for sure.” Released by Arsenal as a youngster, Anthony was playing non-league football with Weymouth just over two years ago. Despite his meteoric rise and breakthrough into Cherries’ first team and promotion to the Premier League, the Hackney-born winger is remaining level headed. When asked how he was feeling after becoming a Premier League player, he shared “I guess the same old Jaidon! “Obviously a special day and one I dreamed of for a long time. “I just want to get my head down and hopefully have a big impact this season, and get some more game time.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker admits “Not Happy” with Bournemouth’s ‘demeanour’ in Arsenal defeat after incredible Brighton win #AFCB #ArsenalFC #BHAFC

August 21, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker expressed his disappointment with Cherries' first-half display against Arsenal, insisting: "Our general demeanour was pretty poor." Cherries found themselves 2-0 behind inside 11 minutes at Vitality Stadium, with Gunners' captain Martin Odegaard bagging a brace. William Saliba added a third early in the second half as the red-hot Gunners cruised to a 3-0 victory, to move top of the embryonic Premier League table. Asked if this was another harsh reality of the quality in the Premier League, following on from the 4-0 loss at Manchester City last weekend, Parker told the Daily Echo: "It probably is in that sense. The quality of what we faced today was probably clear for all you guys to see. "I was bitterly disappointed with the first half really. "I thought we showed a real lack of humility about us. And the game can look like that in terms of the levels of what we’re up against. "The game can look the sheer quality of what we’re up against, individually, that’s going to be the case and that’s clear. "But I just thought in terms of our general endeavour, our body language, our humility to accept certain situations, I thought we were just easily disappointed. "And while we could never get a foothold in the game, and never cause or pose Arsenal any sort of problem, our general demeanour was pretty poor really and I was disappointed immensely with that, to be honest." Asked how concerning the players' body language during the first half was, Parker added: "A little bit concerning. I’m disappointed with that really. "I’m disappointed in terms of our reactions at times and our reactions to the brilliance of what we were up against. "I stepped into this game today having a clear understanding and a clear picture in my head of what this game may look like at times and what it may look like is the sheer quality of what we were up against at times may be very dominant. That’s just plainly humility from my behalf. "That’s not me being negative and saying okay, because you’re up against huge quality and the quality they possess, can you win it? Of course we can win the game. Of course we can be competitive, I just felt at times today that wasn’t the case and we were easily disappointed. "Whether that was a spell which they have, whether that is individual bits of brilliance they had, we just slowly wilted a little bit and didn’t show a real understanding of that and that’s what disappointed me." Discussing the similarities between this and the loss to Man City last week, Parker said: "There was definitely a difference today, I felt. "I thought there was a big difference today. We’ve played Man City, arguably one of the best teams in Europe. "We’ve played Arsenal today, huge quality and will be right up there as well. So there’s no shame in losing, for sure. "Last week was exactly that, but certainly today in the first half, I felt it wasn’t a team I wanted to see in that sense really. I was disappointed. "Second half, improvement. Okay, we changed it tactically and went to a back four, but ultimately the big difference was an understanding of how a game, when you’re Bournemouth, playing against Arsenal, is going to look at times and an acceptance of the brilliance that’s on the pitch and at times the quality of that can’t disappoint you. "Like I said, the first half I felt that was the case."
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker admits ‘decision’ to be made on Marcondes closer to transfer window and reveals fans role in survival #AFCB

August 19, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker outlined his “huge respect” for “constant professional” Emi Marcondes but insisted there was a “decision” to be made regarding the midfielder closer to the transfer window shutting. A report from Danish media outlet Bold.dk this week claimed Brondby were interested in taking the former Brentford man on loan. In quotes translated from Danish, the report claimed Marcondes said: “I will not comment on which clubs have approached, but I have had good talks with my manager (Parker) about the road to playing time getting shorter and shorter. “He is very satisfied with my work effort and my professionalism, and hopefully it won't be long before I fulfil my dream of playing in the Premier League.” Asked what it was like to have that conversation, and how big a role Marcondes could play for his side this campaign, Parker told the Daily Echo: “Those conversations are those conversations, really. “Like anything, you move up in levels and the levels of where you're going to is down to the players. Ultimately their talent and their levels - opportunity of course. “Regarding Emi, big challenge for him, that's clear. Last year, probably didn't play a lot of football at the back end of the season in the Championship. Wasn't really involved in and around it. “Constant professional, he had a big part to play early on and then just found his way. Found himself out the side, really. “So, look, a decision probably will be for Emi again this year in that sense. “And we'll have to make that call when we get closer to that window or between now and then, to see exactly what Emi wants and how that picture may look for him this year. “But, yeah, ultimately that will be down to him.” Marcondes is yet to play a minute for Cherries in the Premier League this season, having been an unused substitute against Aston Villa and Manchester City. He only featured twice during Cherries' Championship run-in since the end of February last campaign. Put to him whatever happened he would have a lot of respect for the 27-year-old, the Cherries boss replied: “A million per cent, a lot of respect. Huge respect for Emi. “A constant professional, like you said, through disappointing times for him, not involved or not around the squad. “His behaviour and the way he handles himself, very consistent and he's very professional in that. “So, I have a huge amount of respect for Emi first and first and foremost as a guy and the way he handles himself.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker ‘pleased’ with second-half performance at Man City and describes Guardiola as underestimated #MCFC #AFCB

August 15, 2022
SCOTT Parker declared himself "pleased" with the way Cherries battled in the second half at the Etihad, insisting: "Man City away is not a game that will define our season." Cherries fell to a resounding 4-0 loss at the home of the champions, trailing 3-0 at half-time to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. But Parker's charges dug in after the restart, only conceding again with 11 minutes to play, when Joao Cancelo's cross flew in off the heel of Jefferson Lerma. Reflecting on the loss, Parker said: "This is not our league, Man City away is not a game that will define our season. "This is a game we need to analyse, of course, and we’ll do that, work out where we can improve and get a little bit better. But we dust ourselves down and we go again now." Discussing the side's fight and character at 3-0 down, Parker added: "I was very pleased with that. Three-nil at half-time, you guys are watching the game as well and there have been many teams here where you see the patterns of what happens in those games - 3-0, four, five, six, you’re playing against a team that can expose you at any moment and open that up. "What that normally comes down to is probably quality, but a team losing heart and losing the will a little bit and before you know it, it becomes trickier. "So I was pleased that the second half was what it was. Not pleased with the result, of course not, but at the same time, I understood what (Saturday) may look like." Cherries now have a week to prepare for the visit of Arsenal to Vitality Stadium. Mikel Arteta's Gunners have won both their opening Premier League fixtures so far, seeing off Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Pep Guardiola
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Pep Guardiola compares AFC Bournemouth to Tottenham and confident that Haaland striker problem can be solved #MCFC

August 15, 2022
PEP Guardiola compared Cherries' offensive tactics as "similar" to Champions League side Tottenham Hotspur, after dispatching of Scott Parker's men 4-0 at Etihad Stadium. Jefferson Lerma's own goal rounded off a comfortable afternoon for the Premier League champions, who led 3-0 at half-time courtesy of strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Cherries were on the back foot for the majority of the contest, with goalkeeper Ederson worked only once, saving Ben Pearson's 20-yard effort. Discussing his side's victory, City boss Guardiola said: "The team did a really good performance against a team that is incredibly well structured defensively. "But just not defensively, offensively as well, because they have good patterns for the build-up, to attract you, to drag you in the short passes, and afterwards they link perfectly with their strikers mainly, but sometimes with the wingers and after they keep the ball, make a switch of play. "Quite similar movements like Tottenham try to do. And defensively they defend so, so deep and so narrow, you have to go outside." He added: "Then in the second half when they don't want to attack, they don't want to press, it's more just being patient." Cherries boss Scott Parker spent two years as a player at Spurs, before returning for a spell coaching their under-18s, before moving to Fulham in 2018.
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Scott Parker admits the quality of Manchester City was too good for Bournemouth to handle #AFCB #MCFC

August 14, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker had no complaints after seeing his side well beaten at Etihad Stadium, admitting Manchester City were "just too good" against his side. Cherries fell to a 4-0 loss at the home of the champions, with first-half strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden added to by a late Jefferson Lerma own goal. The defeat extends Cherries' losing run against Manchester City to 12 matches. Reflecting on the defeat, Parker told the Daily Echo: "The game was the game today. I think we all understand and many managers have probably sat here after a game playing against Man City and the quality that they possess. "The levels were different today. We’ve played against a world class team that can execute in any given moment. "I said before the game, we’re probably going to need to have 11 men with 10 out of 10 performances. We’re going to have to ride our luck. We’re going to have to take the very few chances that we’re going to get, along with every other team that comes here. "They limit your chances and you’re going to have to be clinical. "We didn’t manage to do that. And then obviously their quality shone through really. "The first 20 minutes, after the goal goes in and then two quick goals that go in, at that point obviously you could be on the end of one. "But I was pleased with the team in terms of the way they stuck with it. Showed good endeavour, good personality, were still brave and had courage, so I was pleased with that." Discussing the moments of magic for the opening two goals from from Erling Haaland, to set Gundogan away, and De Bruyne's finish, Parker added: "That’s exactly it. At times today, the levels and the quality was there for everyone to see. "That’s what happens when you’re playing against a world class team and world class players really. "We had our tiny little moments and then they punish you with individual brilliance and where they are as a team." He continued: "I thought to a man my players gave everything they could give today, left everything out there, the difference was the qualities and levels were just too good."
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – AFC Bournemouth’s manager Scott Parker admits he did not fear Manchester City #MCFC #AFCB

August 13, 2022
SCOTT Parker is well aware of the challenge his Cherries side face when they visit Manchester City this afternoon – but it is a challenge he relishes, rather than fears. Both Cherries and Parker are yet to taste victory – or avoid defeat – at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with the Citizens currently enjoying an 11-game winning streak over the South Coast club. READ MORE: Since Cherries’ last played in the Premier League, City have reached a Champions League final, and this summer, they strengthened further with the addition of generational talent Erling Haaland. When asked how to stop the Norwegian, Parker replied: “It'll be difficult, of course. “He is a world class centre forward. We've seen it from afar, probably in Germany, and then we've seen it in the first game against West Ham. “And the power and the pace that he possesses and the quality that he brings in terms of giving Manchester City a little bit more of a different dynamic. “And yes, it's a big challenge ahead for us in terms of individually, defenders, in terms of the team, in terms of trying to stop that, but we'll give it our best shot at trying do that really, it's a good challenge to go and face.” Parker then went on to talk about City as a whole, stating: “I don’t fear it. I realise it's difficult. “I realise it's a big challenge. I don't fear it one bit. I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to going there, for us, trying to assert ourselves in a way we can. “I know that's going to look maybe different to how it can be in other games just through their far superiority on most games of football. “Arguably the best coached team in world football. “And the manager they have, probably a genius in that sense. “Every aspect of the game is really nailed down and then added to that is excellent execution and quality and technical ability of the players as well. “So, yeah, you're right up against it. Any team is when they go there. “I keep saying it's a big challenge, but it's one we embrace. It's one which we looking forward to taking it on and see what we can get out of it.” READ NEXT:
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Scott Parker gives updates on David Brooks return from cancer recovery #AFCB

August 13, 2022
HEAD coach Scott Parker said David Brooks was “getting closer” to a return to full training as Cherries looked to step up his workload. The Warrington-born star was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma back in October. But the 24-year-old announced in May that he had completed his treatment and was now cancer free – hours before the Dorset club sealed promotion to the Premier League. With Brooks having been working on a return since pre-season, Parker insisted the club would continue to “tread carefully” with him. The Cherries boss did however reveal Brooks could take part in modified work alongside his squad “in the next 10 days”. Asked for an update on Brooks during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Parker told the Daily Echo: “He is progressing really well. “Brooksy as well, probably in the next 10 days, maybe will start integrating a little bit with us – again modified, so not actually training but will be doing little bits with the team and start progressing and pushing forward. “Probably the last week to 10 days has been his biggest volume of work in terms of really pushing on a little bit now. “We treaded carefully before and there were a lot of factors involved in that, in terms of markers and seeing how he responds to the physical work - albeit that work was light. “We have probably come through that a little bit now and now we are at the stage where we are going a little bit more in terms of trying to get him up to speed and fit to play football matches. “He is doing really well with that. Fingers crossed that keeps moving in the right direction and he’s getting closer.” Former Sheffield United and Manchester City man Brooks has made 91 appearances for Cherries, 30 of those came during his breakthrough season with the club in the 2018-19 campaign. “David Brooks is a Premier League football player. He is top class in that sense,” said Parker. “We lost him all last year. Now, to get him back will be like a signing for us really because we have missed his quality and missed him really. “We will still tread carefully and we have one eye on that, but hopefully he gets through these coming weeks really and go from there.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Pep Guardiola declares respect for Scott Parker and his style of play #MCFC #AFCB

August 13, 2022
LEGENDARY manager Pep Guardiola detailed his respect for visiting boss Scott Parker and insisted Cherries “don’t have anything to lose” at Manchester City. Parker’s side, who picked up a victory at home against Aston Villa last week, are rated as huge 40-1 underdogs against defending champions City at Etihad Stadium tomorrow (3pm). But Guardiola described the test as “tricky” and admits he is a fan of the work of head coach Parker. “I saw their game (against Villa). I have a lot of respect for Scott Parker, the job he did at Fulham and of course last season at Bournemouth,” said the former Barcelona boss. “And this season, the way they play. The patterns are so clear, so clever. We spoke today in training and we're ready." Asked how difficult it was to face a promoted team at this stage of the season, Guardiola replied: “It's so tricky.  "New-promoted teams. The first games are so difficult, they don't feel pressure because they are in an incredible mood from the previous season. “They don't have anything to lose, they give everything after the good karma, what happened being promoted, that makes it complicated. “After a few months all the teams have problems with injuries, good moments bad moments, the mood in the locker room. “In the first games, everyone pushes to do better. That’s why it’s always tricky.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s manager Scott Parker on Jefferson Lerma’s language barrier and striker Kieffer Moore #AFCB

August 11, 2022
CHERRIES boss Scott Parker believes football is a universal language when it comes to breaching the communication barrier with Jefferson Lerma. The Colombian international made a strong start to the campaign, opening Cherries’ account for the season just two minutes into the season with his strike against Aston Villa. Despite playing in the slightly unfamiliar position of centre-half, the 27-year-old put in a battling display, helping his side to record a 2-0 win on the opening day. READ MORE: Since arriving on the south coast from Spain in 2018, Lerma has yet to master English, largely communicating in his native Spanish. And whilst Parker admitted it was sometimes “tough” to get his tactical points across, he hailed the former Levante man’s footballing brain. Speaking about the midfielder destroyer, Parker told the Daily Echo: “It's been tough, training on the grass, classroom stuff, just in terms of explaining to him certain things, his positions and showing him clips. “He's football bright, so while his English isn’t great, he understands things. “Jeff’s a player that you give him information and you deliver information, he quickly understands it and executes it.” Parker then went on to praise Lerma’s winning mentality, labelling him a “street fighter”, such is his desire to fight for three points once the whistle goes. He believes Lerma’s attributes could prove crucial if Cherries are to achieve their pre-season goals of survival. The former Fulham boss enthused: “He’s everything what you want in your team, to be fair. “Jefferson Lerma, when he crosses that line in an instant, you know what you're going to get. “And he's a street fighter, he's got quality as well. He's got real desire to want to win games and we're going to need that.” Lerma will reach the landmark of 150 games in a Cherries shirt if he makes an appearance against Manchester City at the weekend. Out of his 149 games for the Dorset outfit so far, 64 have come in England’s top flight. READ NEXT:
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Set-piece preparation in pre season and young team with potential was key to win according to Cherries manager Scott Parker #AFCB

August 7, 2022
SCOTT Parker enthused how “clever” and “diligent” Cherries earned their 2-0 win over Aston Villa via dead ball situations. Set-piece goals from Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore were more than enough to see Cherries pick up three points. Lerma smashed home after Lloyd Kelly knocked down a Tavernier corner in the first half, and Cherries’ captain again served as a middle man for the second strike. He recycled Tavernier’s cleared free-kick back into the box, allowing Moore to head home and make sure of the result. Set plays have apparently been a focal point of Cherries’ recent training sessions, according to Parker. Speaking after the game, Cherries’ head coach told the Daily Echo: “We’ve worked very hard on our set-plays in pre-season. Try to be taken up a level and be dominant in them. “It was pleasing we executed that in terms of what we did. “I thought overall, in terms of what I asked for the team in our setup defensively, I thought we were incredible really. “The players took every bit of the information we have given them over the past six weeks and more detail around this game in terms of what we were going to need to do.” Parker also heaped on praise the defensive efforts of his charges, stating: “I thought they were diligent in everything they did, showed real desire at times, crisis defending at times when we needed to be.” “Bodies on the line and a real organisation about us where we were calculated, we were clever in our times. “We showed different speeds in terms of being a low-ish block but then into we could be progressive and try to inject speed and put them under pressure. “There are certainly elements we need to improve on in possession, there were areas we need to get better at. “We’re still really early stages, so overall I was pleased.”