FULL-BACK Adam Smith admitted Cherries’ poor run of results in the Premier League had become “the most difficult time of my career”.

The 28-year-old played 90 minutes as Raul Jimenez’s winner condemned the Dorset club to a 1-0 defeat at Wolves.

Cherries have now lost five of their past six top-flight games and sit inside the bottom three with seven fixtures remaining.

Smith told the BBC: “It’s the most difficult time of my career – and probably everyone in that changing room.

“It’s the losing streak. It’s just so difficult in each game to keep that mentality and we just needed a bit of luck, I think.”

Boss Eddie Howe was pleased by the way defender Smith stuck to the task at Wolves on the left flank.

He said: “Adam Smith and Junior Stanislas down that side of the pitch did really well for us from a defensive perspective against (Adama) Traore and (Matt) Doherty.

“I thought they defended really well.

“Adam is a versatile player. He’s always done well for us off the left-hand side. He’s done well in the two games.”