MIDFIELD maestro Lewis Cook says the "different perspective" brought to Cherries by Scott Parker has been a big help to his development this season, adding: "It's really good for me to have a manager like that."

Parker took over as Cherries head coach last summer, and guided the club to promotion into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Cook, who missed the start of the campaign as he battled back from a second serious knee injury, eventually fought his way into Parker's XI and played a pivotal role in Cherries finishing second in the Championship.

The 25-year-old joined Cherries from Leeds United in 2016 and penned a fresh three-year deal with the Dorset club in September 2021.

Cook has made 149 appearances for Cherries, scoring two goals.

Having admitted he initially found it tough to hit top form after returning to fitness earlier this season, the midfielder has produced some of his best football since moving to the south coast since the turn of 2022.

Discussing Cook's form during the season run-in, Parker said: “I still see loads and loads of improvement. I still see facets of his game which need improving, definitely.

“But certainly I see someone who is taking all information on board and executing that. He’s becoming that all-rounder of a midfielder, which I’d like him to be really.”

And for Cook, a one-time England international, there were not many better managers around in the Championship this season to look to learn from than a former Premier League and international regular in his position.

Asked how much he has learnt from working under Parker, Cook said: "He’s been great. Seeing football in a little bit of a different perspective with his career and the coaching staff, they’re top and relentless in what they want.

"It’s really easy to get a grasp on the style of football that they want us to play. It’s benefitting me and the team as well.

"Everyone is out there enjoying themselves, enjoying working hard and enjoying putting the practice on the pitch into a game.

"You respect him (Parker) and you respect his career and what he’s done for football.

"I just try and feed off whatever he can tell me and you look up to someone like that. It’s really good for me especially, to have a manager like that."