DAVID Brooks says Cherries’ main focus so far under Andoni Iraola has on "in-play" work, rather than addressing set-piece issues.

Iraola has had around a month working with his new squad, since replacing Gary O’Neil as head coach over the summer.

He has overseen four friendly matches so far, Cherries winning two and losing two.

Of the six goals Cherries have conceded in pre-season, three have come from set-pieces. The problem stems back to last season, when Cherries conceded by far the most goals from dead-ball situations across the entire Premier League.

Cherries have one more pre-season fixture remaining, against French side Lorient on Saturday, before the competitive action gets underway when West Ham United visit Vitality Stadium on August 12.

Discussing the issue, Brooks told the Daily Echo: “I think before the season starts we will do more on set-pieces, for and against.

“Obviously it’s a completely new style of play, so we’ve been mainly doing in-play positional work and stuff like that and getting used to how we want to play throughout the game.

“At some point we will be going through that.”

Asked how he has found pre-season under Iraola, Brooks said: “It is different. Every gaffer I’ve had over my career has been English-based and it is a different training regime and different style of getting fit over the pre-season.

“But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s mostly been ball work and that kind of side of it.

“I’m delighted that we’re not just stood on poles running up and down a pitch.

“I’ve enjoyed it and I think the lads will be better for it on the ball come West Ham.

“There is triple sessions, but they’re not just going out there running around poles in a field!

“So it’s enjoyable. I think all the lads are enjoying it. I definitely am, I’m just looking forward to the first game.”

He added: “I think last year was a different style of play, so all the lads are trying to buy into it now and get used to what the gaffer wants.

“There’s still a bit to do and we’re obviously not the finished article. (Against Southampton) was a glimpse of what we could be doing in the Premier League, so it was nice.

“We’re all buying into it and all think it’s going to work. But it’s building blocks.

“We’ve had two or three weeks of it now and we’re only going to get better at it.

“We’re all pushing in the same direction and all trying to get in that starting XI for the first game of the season against West Ham.”