SMITH: I WANT TO BEE BOSS NEXT TERM
BEFORE the end of the raucous post-match celebrations from Bournemouth, Swansea had already turned their attention to tomorrow night.
RYAN FRASER claimed the Cherries must now target European football after suffering third-season syndrome in the Premier League.
The Scot, who scored the firsthalf winner, said: “We have not played well this season at all.
“Today was up there with our best performances but it’s not been a great season.
“We sometimes forget where we have come from. People automatically think we are going to stay up and I think we might have done too.
“But just staying up is massive for the club and town. If we keep doing it for a couple more seasons then we can maybe think of getting into Europe. I think this can be a top-10 team.”
Victory in their final game at Burnley could still see Bournemouth, who lost their opening four games, finish in the top 10. Manager Eddie Howe (right) said: “This has been our hardest season so far.” BRENTFORD manager Dean Smith has given his biggest hint yet he will stay at Griffin Park.
The former Walsall boss has attracted interest from West Brom – who could be relegated from the Premier League – but insists a return to the Midlands is not a top priority for him.
Following the Bees’ final-day draw with Hull, Smith (above) said: “There’s always going to be speculation about managers or players when a side does well, particularly when it’s a club of our size.
“But there is a long-term plan at this club and I’m acutely aware of what I have got here and that is always a big factor.
“It is a proper family club – in fact, I was shocked to see my daughter walk out for the lap of honour with me.
“It is a good football club and I’m enjoying my time here. On the playing side, I have no idea if we will lose players in the summer.
“But they have developed as young men individually, and as a group. It’s a privilege to be their head coach.
“If you leave it’s not always rosy and the grass isn’t always greener. There has to be a good reason to leave rather than moving on all the time.”
Sergi Canos’ 12th-minute header gave the Bees the lead, but Hull equalised against the run of play in first-half stoppage time, thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s 15th goal of the season.
Tigers boss Nigel Adkins warned that he is ready to axe players before the start of the new campaign.
He said: “Now we have to look to take it on from here. We have a large squad of players and have to build.
“I’d like to think that everyone is positive about how things are at the training ground.
“We will reduce numbers purposefully because everyone wants to play, but we have a young, hungry nucleus of players and that’s important.”
MOTM
SERGI CANOS (BRENTFORD)