ADAM Smith believed Cherries’ end to the season summed up their fourth campaign in the Premier League and admitted: “I am just sick of, as a team, being inconsistent.”

Full-back Smith returned from injury for the final two games of the season against Spurs and Crystal Palace after a period on the sidelines due to a knee problem.

The 28-year-old played the entirety of the 1-0 victory against Mauricio Pochettino’s men and the 5-3 loss to the Eagles.

While Cherries secured another season in the top flight back in April, Smith gave a blunt assessment on the end to the campaign.

He told the Daily Echo: “It was a gutless first half (at Crystal Palace) to be honest. The second half was much better but it is easy to play football when you are already losing.

“That is what our season has been like – just so inconsistent.

“We play well one week then the next week it is a different team.

“It is something we need to look at next season because personally I am just sick of, as a team, being inconsistent like that. It frustrates the manager, the coaching staff and all the other players, so we need to look at it next season.”

The Tottenham academy graduate made 26 appearances for the Dorset club in 2018-19, having battled against a series of injury issues.

He suffered a cartilage tear in the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle in November and initially was set to be out for three months but returned earlier than expected in mid-January.

After a nine-match run in the starting XI, Smith was unavailable for the reverse fixture against the Magpies and trip to Leicester before featuring against Burnley and Brighton.

Another three weeks on the treatment table followed prior to the final two games.

Reflecting further on the season, Smith said: “We had a lot of injuries. If we had a fully-fit team for most of the season I think it is a different story.

“I don’t want to make excuses but it is a big reason why we didn’t have the consistency, maybe. It needs to be looked at maybe next season about why we had so many injuries. Even myself, I have had too many injuries and it is frustrating.

“At the peak of my career and I am picking up injuries. I know other players are frustrated with it as well.

“You are never going to pinpoint why we have had so many injuries this season but, hopefully, if we look at it and find some reasons why we have had so many.”