JASON Tindall described as “a great manager” Derby County boss Phillip Cocu and insisted: “They’ve got some great players.”

The Cherries manager was speaking ahead of his side’s home clash with the Rams in the Championship at Vitality Stadium tomorrow.

Former Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Cocu has picked up just five points from eight league games with the Rams this season, winning just once.

Asked whether he felt for his under-pressure opposite number ahead of the contest, Tindall said: “You don’t necessarily think that way. I certainly don’t wish bad on anyone, whether they are a player or manager.

“You never want to see anyone under any kind of pressure or in some senses not doing well, not just in sport but in life.

“He’s a great manager. There’s no two ways about it.

“Derby have not got off to a great start so far this season but they are a big club, they’ve got some great players.

“As we know in football, one minute you’re rock bottom, the next minute you string three or four wins consecutively and all of a sudden you are in a different place. The mood is different, the confidence is there and all things are forgotten.

“We’ve just got to make sure we focus and concentrate on us and what we’ve got to do to deliver another performance that gets us some more points.”

Cherries go into the contest sitting second in the table, having not lost in their opening eight league games.

Quizzed on whether his team’s unbeaten run provided more pressure to keep it going, Tindall replied: “Only pressure we put on ourselves. We want to remain unbeaten for as long as possible.

“We go out, we set ourselves up to win every game we play – that’s what we have done so far this season and any game we approach.

“Tomorrow will be no different."