CHERRIES midfielder Joe Rothwell agreed with his boss Gary O’Neil that he needed to work on the defensive side of his game, admitting it was “the one question mark.”

The Manchester United academy graduate joined Cherries this summer on a free transfer following the expiry of his deal at Blackburn Rovers.

A move had been first mooted in January 2022, with Cherries keen on bringing Rothwell to the south coast but unable to agree a fee with Rovers.

Rothwell and his current side welcome his former side Manchester United to Vitality Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

After missing the first 10 fixtures of the Premier League season due to injury, Rothwell has gone on to make 20 top-flight appearances this campaign.

Predominantly an attacking midfielder, the 28-year-old’s current run in the team has seen him take up a deeper role for the first time in his career.

Speaking with BBC Radio Solent, Rothwell began: “It was probably the one side of the game that I always needed to improve on, was my defensive side of the game.

“And I've always played in the three, never really played in the two, especially a deep lying two. And coming here, it was a new shape for myself.

“I've really enjoyed it, to be honest.

“It gives me a lot of freedom to get on the ball and I do like coming deep anyway to get on the ball, and this shape allows me to do that.

“And as I say, the one thing, the one question mark was always the defensive side of things and I feel like I'm getting better.

“Still a lot of room for improvement, but as I say, the gaffer sits down when we go through things and hopefully it can only keep getting better.”

Whilst injury has meant it has been difficult for Cherries to keep a settled midfield, their good form in April saw Rothwell and Jefferson Lerma command the centre of the midfield.

“I think especially this year, in our first season back in the in the Premiership, it was what we needed that probably that solid base, really,” explained Rothwell.

“We couldn't be all gung-ho every game. And I'm sure the gaffer will tell you it's probably not the way he wants to ultimately play.

“He wants to get the ball down and keep it.

“And I feel like towards the back end of the season, we really started to do that.

“It shows you can still do it in that shape and gives everyone freedom and lots of really enjoy playing, I think.”