CHERRIES will look to tackle their issues with defending crosses into the box in pre-season, with boss Gary O’Neil pledging to “make us much stronger in that area.”

Conor Gallagher headed home Chelsea’s opener on Saturday, and although Cherries managed a quick response via a well-worked Matias Vina goal, they were undone from another cross late on.

Benoit Badioshille escaped his marker to bundle home a free-kick, before substitute Joao Felix finished the scoring as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners.

Seven of the eight goals Cherries have conceded in their past four fixtures have resulted from crosses, either from live play or dead-ball situations.

Their struggles at set-pieces have been well documented, with the side now having let in 21 goals from corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins, as well as a further six via penalties.

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O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “We've struggled with defending balls in the box, which is why the West Ham game was so tricky for us, because they put a lot in there.

“We have struggled with that this season. We're obviously aware of it, as I'm sure all you guys are, and something we need to improve.

“But I'm hopeful that we can put some work in now, week-to-week, as we are, but then we can put things in place for next season to make us much stronger in that area.”