ANTOINE Semenyo was last week deservedly awarded the Cherries player of the month for August.

The Ghanaian forward had, ahead of the Chelsea game, scored or provided an assist in each of the three league games to that point.

He bagged a crucial late equaliser away at Nottingham Forest in the opening Premier League fixture, before assisting Marcus Tavernier against Newcastle.

Semenyo was then instrumental in Bournemouth’s thrilling turnaround against Everton at Goodison Park, scoring the first goal as Cherries fought back from 2-0 down with just three minutes to play.

The Daily Echo asked Andoni Iraola how impressed he had been with the 24-year-old’s start to the season.

“I'm pleased because he has made the numbers, but more pleased for the attitude he has had,” the Cherries boss said.

“The other day against Everton, I think he was the first one to revel in front of this difficult situation.

“He was the one to start carrying, a little bit, the team. Even before scoring the first goal, you could see he was a little bit angry and sometimes it's good to be like this.

“I think he's winning more, [taking] a little bit more responsibility.”

Iraola has also been impressed with Semenyo’s fitness improvements so far this season but did stress there is more work for him to do.

“Past season, I remember that normally he started from the bench or he played 60, 65 minutes and you could see that he was starting to decline, it’s normal a little bit,” Iraola said.

“Now he's staying there, he's finishing strong, the games.

“I think he's one of the ones also who has played a lot of minutes with the national team and I hope he can keep this level.

“Also, he has to improve a lot of things, I tell him every day. He's not a complete package yet.

“I think he needs to improve, but it's also good for him [to win the player of the month].”