WINGER Jaidon Anthony sung the praises of interim Cherries boss Gary O’Neil and insisted: “He knows how we are as a group.”

The 22-year-old was speaking after netting the winner during the Dorset club’s remarkable 3-2 comeback victory at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last time out.

O’Neil has been in charge of Cherries for two top-flight fixtures, since the sacking of Scott Parker last month.

He has since guided the club to four points from two games, with a goalless draw against Wolves coming before the triumph at Forest.

O’Neil was first appointed on to the coaching staff at Cherries under Jonathan Woodgate in February 2021.

Asked what it was like to work under the former Portsmouth, West Ham and Middlesbrough midfielder, Anthony said: “He has been fantastic for us. He has been with us for a while, so he knows how we are as a group.

“It was obviously a tough time losing the manager – he (O’Neil) has been excellent. I am buzzing with the two results.”

At the time of writing, O’Neil was currently a 2/1 second favourite with SkyBet to get the job on a full-time basis, behind former Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

Asked whether he was trying to impress whoever came in, with a potential new boss watching, Anthony replied: “Football is a game where a lot changes and obviously, when a new manager comes in, he has a squad he has to look at.

“We all want to be playing and pushing for places. It’s good that I could get a goal and help the team.”

He added: “I think we have a good togetherness as a team and we knew it was a tough result the previous week (against Liverpool).

“We wanted to bounce back from that and we just wanted to put it right.

“Luckily (against Forest) we had a good second half and I think we fully deserved the three points.”

Cherries’ home clash with Brighton was postponed on Saturday, as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

At present, they are set to head to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle on Saturday.

Quizzed on his experience of the Premier League thus far, having stepped up to the level for the first time this season, former Arsenal youngster Anthony said: “You see the quality goes up a level and there is no place to hide.

“I think it will be a good season for us, hopefully we can keep racking up points and have a good year.”