FORMER boss Jonathan Woodgate believes that Cherries’ flurry of action in the January transfer window was a sign that the club are going all out for promotion.

Appointed interim manager in February 2021, Woodgate won 13 of his 23 games in charge to steer Cherries into the playoffs, where they ultimately lost out to Brentford in the semi-finals.

Cherries added seven players to their squad in January, including five on deadline day.

Whilst four of the incomings were on loan deals, Cherries did part with some cash to bring in Kieffer Moore, Siriki Dembele and James Hill.

Marquee signings in the form of Todd Cantwell, Kieffer Moore and Nat Phillips has appeared to increase the pressure on Scott Parker in terms of achieving promotion to the Premier League.

That’s according to former Leeds and Real Madrid defender Woodgate, who told Genting Casino: “I think the investment came in, because they started to slip a little bit.

“Fair play to Scott, when he got the job, he put a lot of the youngsters in because he didn’t have a massive squad, and they’ve done really well for him.

“Now that January’s gone, he brought some really talented players in, who are probably on the cusp of being Premier League players.

“Players Like Cantwell, Nat Phillips, good players.

“They must think they’ve got a real chance.

“I think at the start of the season, the plan wouldn’t have been 100 per cent promotion, but now it is with the talent they’ve brought in.”

The former Middlesbrough boss then went on to discuss his own future, with the 42-year-old keen to return to management, but on his own terms.

“Without a doubt - I want to get back into management, has to be the right opportunity,” continued Woodgate.

“You can’t take any job that comes along, it has to be right.

“Hopefully something comes along. I’m watching a lot of football and staying busy by doing a lot of work on radio and the telly.”