GARY O’Neil “can’t wait for Monday” after suffering a first defeat of his Cherries reign to Southampton, with the interim boss already looking to bounce back against West Ham.

Che Adams’ ninth-minute header was all that separated the two sides, with Cherries bombarding the Saints’ box in search of an equaliser in the second-half.

Defeat marks a first loss in seven for Cherries, with O’Neil’s unbeaten start to life as a head coach coming to an end.

O’Neil does not believe a first loss will impact Cherries, sharing: “I've been asked already whether I think I'll learn more about the boys now after this.

“And my resounding answer to that is no.

“(I know) exactly what they're going to give.

“Can't wait for Monday.

“Boys will be the same. We go again.

“They've given everything, stayed on the front foot, 1-0 down at home.

“Tricky team that was well organized.

“They gave absolutely everything.

“Fans stayed with them to the end because of that.

“The way the performance went, they couldn't have been any more front foot. And that sums up the whole seven games for us, really.

“I judge them on that. They gave it all again and if we go and do the same, we'll continue to be competitive.”

Analysing the game as whole, O’Neil remained pleased with his side on the whole.

He continued: “Frustrated with the result, frustrated with the goal. Pleased with large parts of the performance.

“Just fine margins. They score their header, we miss a couple, we arrive in their box a lot.

“Obviously, the way the game went, it was never going to be clear chances because Southampton were deep.

“Generally at that point, trying to work our way in, a few things fell to us. They blocked a few, we missed a few. (One) hit a hand.

“So, yeah, I stick to my word with the lads. I judge them on what they gave, and the performance and we were competitive again.”