AFC Bournemouth
Scott Parker singled out Jaidon Anthony for praise in his post-match press conference after the win over Derby County.
Speaking to the assembled media, Parker highlighted the performance of the Cherries academy graduate and stated that the winger doesn’t receive enough appreciation for what he brings to the team.
The 22-year-old was a player possessed at times on Saturday, playing a key role in the first goal. His run from the left, which included two nutmegs, created the opening for Dominic Solanke to tuck home.
He continued to wow the crowd in the second half, playing with confidence and freedom on the left, and even completed his third nutmeg of the game when he left Derby County winger Malcolm Ebiowei in his wake.
However, Parker believes its his work off-the-ball that deserves the most credit as he helped the Cherries to a 14th clean sheet of the season.
Parker enthused: “Jaidon Anthony’s a player that goes under the radar massively, what he does for this team is nothing short of incredible at times.
“In possession, we see his qualities, his calmness, his silkiness when he makes good decisions but the stuff that goes unnoticed is his defensive side, what he brings to this team.
“I thought he epitomised everything we were about today. Jaidon was superb and I was very pleased with him.”
Anthony wasn’t the only player to receive praise from Parker after an impressive team performance at Vitality Stadium, making sure to recognise Jefferson Lerma’s return to the team.
Lerma has been missing recently through suspension, having been sent off in the win over Birmingham City in February, but he took no time to get back to his best on Saturday.
Parker said: “Jeff’s missed a lot of football this year but when he’s been involved in games we’ve normally been on the right side of results and I don’t think that’s by luck by any means.
“He’s a driving force really at times and he gives us an extra bit of security as well on both sides of the game.
“Off the ball he was very good, we know that, but on the ball, in the position he played today, he was a constant threat between the full back and centre half and a lot of problems came down his side in terms of what we were causing them.’
The Cherries are back in action on Tuesday as they welcome Reading to Vitality Stadium.
