GARY’S ALL EARS FOR GUIDANCE
BOURNEMOUTH boss Gary O’Neil says he has leaned upon former managers Harry Redknapp and Tony Pulis to help guide him through his first season in the dugout.
O’Neil has done a remarkable job in steering the Cherries to Premier League safety after inheriting a team from Scott Parker that had lost 9-0 at Liverpool.
Former Portsmouth midfielder O’Neil said: “I am very open in taking on information I think can help.
“I like to open up the floor to a lot of people and get opinions. Knowledge and information is always helpful.
“I played for a lot of managers, somebody told me it was 19 in total, so it is not a surprise that a few of them were in charge of Bournemouth.
“Harry Redknapp (left) and Tony Pulis (below) were two really good ones.
“Harry comes to a lot of the games and Tony is doing his media stuff at the minute. I speak to both of them every now and again.
“All of us have been in football a long time so the conversation usually comes around to football and how I am coping with the stresses.
“Anyone who can help me with stuff like that I am always open to.” Bournemouth can still finish as high as 13th if they win at Everton today and other results go their way.
O’Neil (below), who was made permanent manager in December after a successful stint as caretaker following Parker’s sacking, is proud the Cherries have not simply grinded their way to survival.
He said: “It has been a successful season for the club.
“That was my aim before I became manager and when I was part of the backroom staff.
“We all knew it would be a tough task to stay in the league this year.
“We’ve managed to achieve that, which is fantastic.
“In the summer I will reflect for a short time and then start preparing for the next big question mark which
I’m sure will arrive pretty quickly.
“Throughout the season we have played some good football that I am very proud of.
“We have not stayed up just using a low block, chucking balls forward and trying to get set-plays.
“We have played some really good football at times and scored some great goals.
“I am very proud of how the lads have gone about it as well as what we have achieved.
“Progress is never a straight line and sometimes you have to expect blips and maybe take a step backwards when you are trying to implement change.
“Hopefully the supporters can all go away on holiday this summer and be proud of the performances the team have produced for them.”