HEAD coach Andoni Iraola praised the performance of Joe Rothwell against West Ham United, insisting: “He has done a lot of good things.”

With Cherries short of central midfielders, Rothwell has stepped up his return from injury in recent weeks and completed 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw against the Hammers.

The former Blackburn Rovers man slotted into a deeper midfield role, with Lewis Cook out injured, and despite being guilty of losing the ball for the visitors’ goal, produced a fine all-round display.

Rothwell had a stop-start first season with Cherries, after arriving on a free transfer last summer.

The former Manchester United youngster was restricted to 22 appearances, largely due to injury, but proved his worth towards the end of the campaign.

Discussing the 28-year-old’s performance against West Ham, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It is a little bit the same case as Antoine (Semenyo). He played in pre-season, probably ahead of schedule also in his injury, because we needed players there in the middle with Lew’s injury.

“We knew that he had to sustain the team there in the middle against a West Ham team that plays with (Pablo) Fornals, (Lucas) Paqueta, players with high level there against him.

“I think he had a very, very good game. He played really well.

“It’s true that he made a mistake for the goal, but overall I think he has sustained the team.

“He has pushed at the end and he has done a lot of good things.”