FORMER Cherries boss Kevin Bond insists Lee Bradbury’s “strong character” will help him ride the storm of one of his biggest managerial tests.

Bond, now assistant to Harry Redknapp at Spurs, brought Bradbury to Dean Court in July 2007 following his first season in the Cherries hot-seat.

Since hanging up his boots to take the reins in January 2011, Bradbury has experienced fluctuating fortunes and is currently enduring a wretched spell of results.

The 36-year-old was on Tuesday given a vote of confidence by chairman Eddie Mitchell after presiding over a dismal run of five successive League One losses.

Bond, who started his reign with five defeats on the trot, is convinced Bradbury’s personality and tough Army background will help him turn the tide.

Bond told the Daily Echo: “His strong character is definitely in his favour. He is a level-headed guy and never got too carried away when things were going well and never got too down when they weren’t.

“As a player, he experienced the good times and the hard times as well. Your first job in management is always difficult and he is just having a stutter and needs to get through it. You need to be strong in these situations.”

Bond also believes Bradbury will draw on his experience as a player when he suffered a difficult period in his career following a £3m move from Portsmouth to Manchester City in 1997.

“That pressure would have been immense,” said Bond, who also played for City. “You can imagine what it is like when you move for big money and maybe it doesn’t quite happen for you. He was at a big club and took that in his stride. He battled through and didn’t let it affect him.

“Until last year, he was still a terrific professional and playing for Bournemouth. He changed his position and adapted really well. He has also adapted really well to management.

“A collection of new players, even if you paid money for them, doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. It does, however, build up the expectation levels around the club.”

Bond also believes Bradbury will not be affected by a section of supporters calling for his head on internet forums, including the Daily Echo website.

“If you get involved in any of that, it will ruin you,” said Bond. “Unless you are seriously thick-skinned, it is hard for it not to affect you if you start reading and seeing what is being said.

“You want to steer clear of that and remain focused on the job you are doing, which can be easier said than done sometimes. But I wouldn’t see Bradders being distracted by reading what people are saying or what is going in the papers. He will be looking beyond that and concentrating on the job in hand. I am sure he will turn it around very quickly.”

Bradbury will be looking to avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat when Cherries face Carlisle United at Seward Stadium tomorrow (3pm).