INFLUENTIAL skipper Darren Anderton has hinted he would consider extending his stay at Dean Court despite Cherries' relegation to the bottom flight.
The 36-year-old former England international is one of a host of players whose contract is due to expire at the end of June.
Anderton, who was sidelined for four months during mid-season, returned to help breathe new life into Cherries' unlikely bid to avoid the drop last month.
He told the Daily Echo: "It's been a real pleasure to play with the lads for the past few weeks. I'm just hopeful we can keep this group together and, if we do, then I think I'd like to be part of it. At the moment, I would have to say I would like to play again next season.
"The past few weeks have been amazing. For me, it's been a privilege to play with the lads. The team I left in November and the team I've been playing with recently is totally different.
"I think they have all grown as players and been outstanding. A lot of that has been down the fact that we haven't been able to bring in loan players so they have had to play and have improved as players.
"The improvement in some has been unbelievable and I'm sure a few of them will go on to have good careers so you can take positives from this season.
"It's all doom and gloom at the moment but you've got to be realistic. The 10-point deduction did for us in the end. I think everyone knew at the time that it made it a mission impossible and it has proved that way. But we gave it a good go."
Anderton again pulled the strings in midfield as Cherries enjoyed the lion's share of the first half at Brunton Park.
He added: "We're very disappointed and it was a really tough way for it to happen. Their goal seemed a little bit suspect to me in terms of offside.
"I think it was just one of those days. I thought we were the better team, we played well again, had chances but it just wasn't to be.
"We were the better team, especially in the first half. They came at us for a 10-minute spell in the second half and scored their goal. But the guys reacted well and came back into the game.
"I think they had one good chance and scored. We had a couple, which, on another day, may have ended up in the back of the net."
