AFC Bournemouth
Cherries head coach Scott Parker faced the press ahead of Saturday’s trip to Anfield to take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Here are three things we learned from the boss’ press conference…
1. Confidence taken from Norwich victory
Tuesday night saw the side take a break from Premier League action to take on Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
In his press conference, Parker explained that confidence had been derived from the midweek trip to Norfolk.
He said: “It helps, of course it does; it was a positive result. After Arsenal, I was very critical of the side in terms of our first-half performance and how we turned out – I was unhappy with that.
“The big positive coming out of Norwich was that it was probably the polar opposite.
“It was different in terms of who we were facing but they’re still a very good side and what we did show, we showed in abundance.
“My message during the week in terms of what we need to be, we certainly showed that against Norwich.
“As well as the performance, which was good, the general messaging around where I was disappointed with us against Arsenal, we put that right.”
2. A positive mood in the camp ahead of Anfield visit
The upcoming trip to Anfield rounds off a tough trio of league fixtures which has seen the Cherries take on Manchester City, Arsenal and the Reds.
Despite the tricky run-in, the head coach revealed that the camp was maintaining its positivity.
“There’s always a positive mood,” he explained.
“While we don’t want to lose football matches, the levels of where we are and the quality we’ve played against, certainly over the last two games, have been there for everyone to see.
“We’ve just come up a little bit short for one reason or another, but this is the challenge which we face.
“There is no bigger challenge than the top boys which we face them in this division, and we’ve got one of them at the weekend; we’re looking forward to that.”
3. David Brooks progressing well in training
Some positive news earlier this week saw David Brooks pen new terms with the club lasting until 2026.
As he continues his return to match fitness, the head coach explained to the press that he is progressing well in training.
Parker said: “I’m always very wary around Brooksy in terms of giving defined dates on exactly when he may be coming back, but he’s definitely heading in the right direction.
“He’s done the most amount of work over the last ten days and he’s come through that very, very well.
“I’d like to think that in the coming weeks, we’ll be in a position where I can say to you that we’re at the point where we can start seeing him in and around matchday squads and being at a level of fitness that we think is adequate to go and operate in the Premier League.
“Certainly, he’s heading in that direction, so that’s pleasing.”
Kick-off at Anfield on Saturday is 3pm and supporters can listen to the game for free on afcb.co.uk.
