Every outfield player from the development squad has been utilised in the friendlies, gaining valuable experience against different levels of opposition.
Hargreaves, who has been part of AFC Bournemouth’s backroom staff for a month, has settled into the club well and is thrilled with his players’ involvement in pre-season.
“I’ve settled in really well and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “It’s a club going in the right direction on and off the pitch and I’m excited by the future.
“It’s been a steep learning curve in the last couple of games but the young players enjoyed it and they see that there’s an opportunity there if they work hard. They have no fear and just want to get on the ball and play football.
“They’ve had more time than they probably had expected – and that’s great for them. There have been some great performances, especially at Basingstoke where there was some great link-up play.”
The former Torquay midfielder also praised the efforts of the first-team players, who have been very excellent at accommodating the younger players into the squad.
“The first-team lads have been very complimentary towards them which is good, and I think they need to be in and around that picture. The type of lads that the club have got here really helps the younger lads to settle in.
“The results in pre-season aren’t too important - it’s more about the relationships between the players and taking the work from the training ground onto the pitch.”