GARY O’Neil said there were “a couple of reasons” why he opted to drop both Chris Mepham and Marcos Senesi to the bench and bring in Jack Stephens to face Nottingham Forest.

Mepham has been one of Cherries’ more consistent performers this term, while Senesi impressed in the absence of Lloyd Kelly before the World Cup break.

However, O’Neil opted to make big changes to the side which lost at Brentford, five in all, boldly dropping both centre-backs.

Southampton loanee Stephens was drafted in for just his second Premier League start of the campaign, while Lloyd Kelly shifted back across to centre-back, with Jordan Zemura restored on the left.

Cherries ended their run of six straight defeats, Jaidon Anthony’s goal earning a 1-1 draw with Forest on Saturday, with Sam Surridge striking late to equalise.

Discussing the decision to change both centre-backs, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “It felt like the right thing to do.

“A couple of reasons, Nottingham Forest and what they were going to bring, I thought it would suit.

“And I wanted to have a look at a different partnership, see if we looked more solid.

“I was pleased with Jack and Lloydy. I thought Lloydy showed his quality at moments when he was up against Brennan Johnson, with real pace, he made some real, good interceptions, covered well.

“It deserved a clean sheet, probably, the defensive display.

“I’m disappointed that a small lapse has cost them a goal.”