MANAGER Eddie Howe described as a “warrior” Cherries star Dan Gosling and added: “I have no worries about him psychologically at all.”

Midfielder Gosling’s post-match comments about referee Jonathan Moss came under fire from a range of pundits last week, when he claimed the official showed Cherries "zero respect" after taking charge of a 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United.

Gosling alleged Moss made jibes about the side's battle to avoid the drop such as "you’re still in the relegation zone", "you’re having one" and "your team’s having one".

Cherries contacted the Premier League about the incident, but following discussions, decided against making an official complaint after it was communicated the PGMOL, the league's body in charge of officiating, were taking no action against Moss.

Since the comments to the Daily Echo surfaced, a number of ex-professionals have weighed in on the incident.

Paul Ince, Gosling’s former manager at Blackpool, called the midfielder’s words “childish”, while former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said Cherries were a “bunch of snowflakes” for “whining” about the official.

Asked how Gosling dealt with criticism in general, Howe told the Daily Echo: “He has been in the game a long, long time.

“He’s played for some huge football clubs. There’s nothing really that Dan hasn’t seen in the game.

“I admire him for speaking how he feels.

“I always back my players if they speak from the heart. I’ve got no problem with anything he said but it does us no good at this moment to look back to those comments or that game.

“We have another game that is more important.”

Gosling is in contention to start Cherries’ Premier League contest at Burnley tomorrow (3pm), his side’s first fixture since the defeat to the Blades.

Asked whether the 30-year-old would want to show any criticism had not affected him, Howe added: “I have no worries on that side. He is mentally a very positive lad.

“He wants to win everything, he’s an absolute winner, a warrior and someone you want in the trenches with you.

“I have no worries about him psychologically at all.

“Dan is Dan, he’s a great lad, very positive. I haven’t spoken to him really about the comments. It’s done, it’s history, it’s happened – let’s focus on the next one.”