CHERRIES captain Neto has called upon his side to keep their “spirit and fight” as they look to stave off relegation.

Gary O’Neil’s charges leapt out of the bottom three last weekend following a 1-0 victory over their relegation rivals Leicester.

They face Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Asked what he was expecting ahead of the clash, the shot stopper told the Daily Echo: “I expect to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight until the end for the points.

“I think we have to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight, because if you believe in yourselves and we fight until the end then we can play with all teams. So we have to keep this mentality.”
A summer signing from Barcelona, Neto was named as club captain in February, boss O’Neil hailing his keeper’s influence amongst the squad.

“To become a captain,” began Neto.

“I think doesn’t depend about the player, but depends about the environment, the people who have to make the choice.

“Really proud about it. And not just because I'm the captain, but I will always give 100 per cent for this team, for my teammates and try to find the victories in all our games.”

Cherries’ transfer business this season has seen a host of new players from a wide array of cultures and countries arrive, with multiple different languages spoken in the dressing room.

Having played in Italy and Spain, Neto can speak four languages – another reason why he was named skipper.

He shared: “It’s just Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and English.

“I'm fighting with English, but I can survive!

“I think I can help. I can transmit the message for the players.”

In one of his first acts as captain, Neto organised for the players to have a barbecue after a day of clay pigeon shooting.

He explained: “From South America, our culture is when we are to be close, we always use the barbecue, to bring people close.

“So we try to keep the people close. We try to organise this barbecue, this moment together because I think it was the right moment. And it was very nice.

“We enjoyed the guys, enjoyed the moment.”

Not only popular in his own dressing room, Neto has friends all over the Premier League. After making his Premier League debut against Wolves in August, former Barcelona teammate Adama Traore searched out for the goalkeeper in order to have a proper catch-up.

There will be further familiar faces and reunions on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with Neto having briefly played with countrymen Emerson Royal (Barcelona) and Lucas Moura (Brazil), as well as French centre-back Clement Lenglet.

“I have some friends there,” commented the Brazilian.

“Very close with Clement Lenglet. But now we have a good week, I think, to relax and prepare for this game because it's another final for us.”