SCOTT Parker admitted “it was madness” the way Cherries conceded in the second half as they fell to a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Norwich.

Goals from Christos Tzolis, Kenny McLean and Lukas Rupp had already sent the Dorset club in at the interval 3-0 down at Carrow Road.

But individual mistakes from the likes of keeper Orjan Nyland and defenders Steve Cook and Zeno Ibsen Rossi ensured Tzolis netted again, as well as Josh Sargent bagging a second-half brace.

Parker said: “I’m disappointed with the three goals we conceded second half. You can lose football matches – when you are in the situation we are in, we understand that.

“But the way you lose is important and I thought it was very naïve in the second half. The goals were gifted to them - it was madness really.

“This is a very young squad, players making their debuts in front of a big crowd in an away game.

“They are learning – at times when that happens, you see the innocence and the mistakes being made.

“I thought at times it was clear.”

Defeat to the Canaries meant Cherries bowed out of the competition at the second-round stage, having fielded a much-rotated squad in Norfolk.

“We are where we are at the moment,” said Parker.

“A lot of players playing their first games after injuries, some debuts – a young squad as well. It was a little bit too much at times.

“The first half they were very clinical and then second half we gifted them some silly goals and it was really poor from our behalf.

“We are where we are. I tried to mix it up because of where we are in terms of injuries and where we are with the squad, the weekend and Hull.

“We were on the end of one.”

Cherries make the trip to Hull City in the Championship on Saturday.