Gary O’Neil expecting a tough test for Bournemouth against rejuvenated Leeds
Leeds sit just one point and place below the Cherries in the Premier League table
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gary O’Neil expects a tough test when AFC Bournemouth travel to recently rejuvenated Leeds United on Saturday.
Leeds sit 15th in the Premier League table, just one point and place below O’Neil’s Cherries, and enter the clash bolstered by a 2-1 win at Liverpool in their last outing.
It snapped an eight-game Premier League winless streak for Jesse Marsch’s side, who O’Neil admitted he expected more from so far this campaign.
“Yeah, I’m really surprised they are where they are in the league,” said O’Neil.
“I’ve looked at, they come up really well on all their sort of numbers and stats, chances created, they have big energy, press really aggressively, probably the highest pressing team in the league, so they have a real clear identity.
“It [was] a massive result at Anfield for them, so it will be a big test going to Elland Road. It’s always a tough place to go, especially the way they play at the moment, so front foot and so aggressive, so it will be a good test for us.”
The Cherries, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from three consecutive losses, the worst string of results since O’Neil took the reins following Scott Parker’s August departure.
The Cherries looked set to draw with Spurs last Saturday before Rodrigo Bentancur scored a second-half stoppage-time winner.
“I wouldn’t call [the run] unlucky,” he said, “it’s just the nature of the Premier League. I think we can go out in every game, give 100 per cent, and there’s still a chance we can lose it. That’s just the nature of it.
“So long as it looks like us, as long as it is fully committed, as long as we give a good account of ourselves, we accept the chips will land where they land, and hopefully enough of them come out on our side.”
Whether O’Neil comes out the other side of the Leeds clash still with the title of Bournemouth caretaker manager is also to be determined, with just three more games to play before the World Cup break.
He added: “I’m just preparing to take the next one at the moment and then we’ll see where we go after that. I’ve been tasked as I was from the start with taking the next game, and that’s as far ahead as we look at the moment.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments