PAUL Groves insists he is better equipped to succeed in his second attempt at Football League management.

Groves was named as Cherries’ new boss on Friday following an eight-game stint in caretaker charge. The 46-year-old previously held a permanent managerial job when he was player-boss at Grimsby Town between 2001 and 2004.

A Wembley-winning captain with Grimsby, Groves endured a difficult period at the helm following the ITV Digital collapse.

His team avoided the drop from the second flight in his first season but then suffered relegation and he was eventually relieved of his duties.

Groves went on to coach at Portsmouth and West Ham before joining Cherries as youth team manager.

A section of the Cherries fan-base were highly critical of the club’s decision to appoint Groves as Lee Bradbury’s successor on a two-year contract after a number of supporters had called for more experience.

But Groves says he is a “lot wiser” than when he took charge at Grimsby.

Reflecting on his reign at Blundell Park, Groves told the Daily Echo: “Initially, in the first six months, with the size of the squad we had because of the TV money, we did well under the circumstances. We managed to stay up from being in a very difficult position with regards to a points deficit.

“When I look back now, the TV money had a major impact, not just on us, but it certainly had a major impact on the staff, players and club at the time and made it very difficult.

“For somebody with very little experience at that time, it was possibly too much for me.

“Sometimes going through those difficult times, as I did with Portsmouth going into administration, makes you stronger, more determined and you gain more knowledge.

“It was a long time ago and I have gained a lot of experience along the way. Hopefully, I can put that experience to good use.”