Marco Rose - Bournemouth squad is 'really balanced and strong'

They host the Bees at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon, Saturday, with Rose feeling positive with how his side is shaping up heading into a busy eight days before the international break.

After Brentford visit on Saturday, the Cherries head to San Sebastian on Thursday to face Real Sociedad to raise the curtain on their Europa League campaign, before returning home to host former boss Andoni Iraola and his Liverpool side next Sunday.

Bournemouth’s big win over Lincoln highlighted the squad’s depth to boss Rose, as the Cherries cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Imps in a game that they controlled, despite making eight changes from the weekend’s draw with Newcastle.

“I see our whole squad really balanced and strong,” Rose told the Daily Echo.

“I mean, if you see our situation at full-back, Julio [Soler] did a really good game.

“We have with Adrien [Truffert] a top left defender, for me one of the best in Europe.

Adam Smith (Image: Richard Crease)

“Our captain is doing well on the right side. We have many options. I think Juanlu needs a little bit of time to adapt, slightly different than Antonio [Silva].

“He adapted quite soon and well. Juanlu needs a little bit more time.”

Rose is also impressed with his options in central midfield, with Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie impressing vs Lincoln, after Tyler Adams and Alex Scott were excellent at Newcastle.

Alex Toth has also looked good when he has featured.

“In the centre of midfield, we are top, set up with more or less two holding sixes with Tyler and Lew,” Rose said.

(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

“Lew did a great game on Tuesday. We have two box-to-box players with Alex and with Ryan, and we have with Tothy a number 10 more or less, but he can play six as well.

“So big competition, and as I said, many games.

“I need everyone in good shape, in a good spot, in a good mood, with the right mentality, the right attitude. So I'm quite happy with our squad.”

Centre back is also an area of strength for Rose, with Silva and James Hill quickly gelling together, although between them they have less than a full season in the Premier League in the position.

(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)

Silva joined in the summer, while Hill has only been a regular at centre back since the end of December.

“I'm really happy with the performance of our centre-backs out of possession,” Rose said.

“In possession, we have still things to improve, but It's not just about the centre-backs, it's team-wise.

“But even Bafo [Bafode Diakite] played a good game, very important for us as long as Veljko [Milosavljevic] is not back.

“It's good to see that even he didn't start and he played a good pre-season. It's really disappointing for him, but he showed me that he's ready to play and that's very important for me as well.”