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Adam Smith - Disappointments despite Stoke City draw

Written by Iain Pearce

AFC Bournemouth defender Adam Smith admitted that despite achieving safety in the Premier League, the players were disappointed after the draw with Stoke City.

The point means that the Cherries mathematically achieved survival for the second season running.

Twice coming from behind against Stoke City, Smith was pleased with the character shown to take a point to ensure safety, but revealed that there were no celebrations in the dressing room after the whistle.

"Our main objective this season was to stay in the Premier League," he said.

"The second season is always harder so it's a great achievement for everybody at the club.

"But there were no celebrations today, we were disappointed that we didn't win, we were desperate to win to get into the top ten.

"It's a disappointed mood because we want to win and we're very ambitious, we want that top ten finish and it's a setback for us.

"It shows how far we've come that we're disappointed after getting to safety, but we did show good character to take a point after going behind twice."

Smith was influential on the right hand side for the Cherries, getting an assist for the opening goal and hitting the post with a fabulous first-half effort.

The 26-year-old continued: "I think we started well but we conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece which is disappointing.

"I had a lot of space today unlike in recent games, and I hit the post which is frustrating as I'm due one!

"We've been defensively better this season with clean sheets in recent weeks, but we need to win the last two games now."