SCOTT Parker confessed he was not too pleased with Cherries’ performance against Bristol City, stating that his side “need to improve drastically”.

An early second-half penalty converted by Chris Martin proved decisive in the friendly, with the away side running out 1-0 winners at the Vitality Stadium.

Cherries lined-up in a different shape to the system that earnt them promotion from the second tier last term, and were unable to consistently break down their Championship opponents, leading to a frustrated Parker.

Whilst conceding that his squad still requires reinforcements, Parker started: “I didn't like us today.

“I get where we are, where we currently are, in terms of it’s a tough preseason.

“But, there was a lot of things that we need to improve drastically, really, in terms of all aspects.

"In terms of tactically, in terms of technically, in terms of the personality at times and the mentality about us, really, we need to improve it in certain moments.”

Despite clearly not being enamoured by the performance, Cherries’ head coach was already looking forward to getting back on the training ground ahead of their final pre-season test against Europa League outfit Real Sociedad.

Parker billed the clash with the Spanish side as Cherries' "toughest" test of pre-season.

“We have a full week now to hopefully do that (improve certain moments), a full week with the team to explain exactly what we're going to need to be starting next Saturday," restarted Parker.

“So it gives us that option to do it now.

“We've got a tough test, the toughest of pre-season really, against (Real) Sociedad in a week's time.

“So it’s a tough test for us, and we need to improve from where we were today, for sure.”