WINGER Jaidon Anthony defended former Cherries boss Scott Parker and said he was “top” with the players behind the scenes.

Parker was sacked by the Dorset club after just four games of the Premier League campaign, following losses to Arsenal, Manchester City and a humiliating 9-0 reverse against Liverpool.

Following the defeat at Anfield in August, Parker said his side were “unequipped” after making the step up from the Championship to the Premier League.

Asked what that was like to hear, Anthony told The Beautiful Game Podcast: “I always speak highly of the old manager as well. He was top with the players.

“Probably behind the scenes, it wasn’t like that. As a player he always gave you belief as well.

“I think when you are a team coming up and you’ve got Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool in your first few fixtures, it’s not going to be easy.

“Anyone looking at it at the start of the season wouldn’t have written us off anyway. When you are in it and you get three big defeats it’s hard.  

“Now it’s nice we have got some good results and are confident but it’s weird as a player in those moments. You don’t focus on it really.”

Cherries have since gone on to register 10 points from nine games under interim boss Gary O’Neil.