GROUNDED defender Steve Cook is adamant there is no reason for Cherries to panic and is confident the Dorset side will soon rack up vital Premier League points.

Cherries sit second-bottom of the embryonic standings having lost two and drawn one of their opening three games.

Eddie Howe's troops were well beaten by Manchester United in the opening game of the top-flight campaign and appeared to have earned a point at West Ham United in the first Premier League fixture at London Stadium before Michail Antonio struck late on.

It was a similar situation at Crystal Palace on Saturday when Cherries were again undone by a late goal.

Norway international Joshua King's early effort seemed to have given the visitors all three points but following a sustained second-half onslaught, Scott Dann nodded the equaliser in the third minute of added time.

Cherries might only have one point on the board but Cook is remaining upbeat and says his team will thrive on any criticism they receive.

He told the Daily Echo: "We've got a strong group who know how to handle setbacks. We've got a lot of games to play and there are certainly positives to come out of Crystal Palace game. More than negatives.

"There's no need to panic. We're big enough and wise enough to know we can pick up points and I'm sure they will come and the goals and the clean sheets will come as well.

"It's all about positive mental attitude and we've certainly got that. We're going to get our critics along the way, everyone is going to write us off like they always do. It's down to us to prove ourselves on the pitch.

"Every one of these players has been written off, the club has been written off but it's what we thrive on and we're stronger for it. We're a unit, we're all together and we will pick up wins."

Meanwhile, a matter of hours remain before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Eddie Howe has stated in recent weeks that there could be one more arrival at Vitality Stadium, although the potential signing would be made with an eye on the future rather than the present.

Speculation yesterday surfaced linking Max Gradel with Hull City and Lyon.

The Ivory Coast winger, contracted until 2020, has just nine minutes under his belt in the Premier League this season.

According to the Daily Mail, Hull and Lyon are "leading the chase" for Gradel and "a loan is a possibility".

A £7million signing from St Etienne, Gradel was sidelined for six months last season after sustaining a serious knee injury just four games into the campaign.

The wide man made an explosive return at the end of February and played a key role as Cherries preserved their Premier League status, starring in their hat-trick of wins against Southampton, Newcastle and Swansea in March.