FOCUSED Lewis Cook vowed not to read too much into Cherries’ recent criticism and added: “You just try to let your football do the talking.”

A number of ex-pundits have voiced their opinion on the Dorset club’s struggles, which have seen them sink three points adrift of safety in the Premier League.

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson on Saturday said the Dorset club were “at the moment, not good enough”.

Former England international Joe Cole said: “I’m not sure he’s (Eddie Howe) got the group of players there who are ready to get him out of this.”

Speaking generally about dealing with criticism, Cook told the Daily Echo: “I think you just try to let your football do the talking.

“Make sure you come in every day on the training pitch and give it your all with that one aim to try to deliver it on the pitch. And trying to get the points.

“People can talk and stuff like that but we try to just remain focused on the job in hand. That’s all you can really do.”

Asked whether criticism bothered him or the team, the England international said: “No, I don’t think so. I think we try not to read too much into it, we just focus on ourselves and no-one else really.”

Victory over Brighton at home tomorrow (7.30pm) would end a run of four league defeats for Cherries.

“We are trying to remain positive through the hard times,” added Cook.

“Obviously a lot of players haven’t been in this situation before.

“It can be the worst thing but it can also be the best thing to try to show how much fight you want to give, trying to get out of it as a team and as a club. We are going to give it our all.”

Cook has featured in 19 of Cherries' matchday squads since making his return from a serious knee injury in September.

He has started nine games in the top flight this season – and has been left out of Howe’s past two league starting XIs.

“It’s tough, obviously, but I think whoever is playing in the positions – if we are on the bench we still want the same outcome. We want the three points,” the midfielder added.

“No matter who is playing we are all behind each other and just trying to get points.”