BOSS Scott Parker described as "solid" Gary Cahill's Cherries debut.

The 35-year-old, who arrived on a free transfer over the summer, helped his new side to a clean sheet as they defeated Barnsley 3-0 at Vitality Stadium.

It was Cahill's first competitive match since featuring for his former club Crystal Palace, on the final day of the Premier League season at Liverpool in May.

Former England international Cahill has spent the majority of his career in the Premier League, with Saturday's contest the first time he had featured in the second tier since turning out for Sheffield United against Barnsley in December 2007, coincidentally also against Barnsley.

Asked for his assessment of Cahill's first outing for Cherries, Parker told the Daily Echo: "Really solid. Clean sheet, I think he showed his experience.

"You’re bringing a squad together, a group of men that you want to be successful and you look at every facet of that.

"What Gaz brings is vast experience which we need. I think we’ve got a good, dynamic young squad.

"Inexperienced in some positions and what experience brings you is an endeavour and a real excitement, but with that you also want experience to nurture those players through and Gaz is one of those players that definitely does that for us. He was solid (on Saturday)."