GARY O’Neil insists Cherries’ disappointing end to the season “will have no impact whatsoever” on how the next campaign begins.

After effectively securing safety with a 4-1 win over Leeds United at the end of April, Cherries went on to lose their final four fixtures of the season, scoring just one goal.

That culminated in a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday, which saw Cherries end in 15th place, on 39 points, having also recently lost to Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

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Asked if there was any concern of a potential hangover when the new Premier League season begins on August 12, caused by the recent poor run of results, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The four defeats won’t cost us any points next year.

“We start on zero, as we would have if we would have won the last four. It will have no impact whatsoever. I think everyone around the country generally had us as 20th and we’re 15th.

“Yes we’ve lost the last four, but we’ve won enough to finish 15th, so a huge achievement from club and players.”