UNDER the gaze of a man who knows all about pleasing the AFC Bournemouth faithful, some new talents began their bid to win over the Dean Court public.

While Cherries managerial legend Harry Redknapp made a welcome return to his old stomping ground, some far less familiar faces attempted to gain a similar standing in fans’ affections.

It is far too early to dream of being as big a hit as Sandbanks’ most famous resident, but Cherries’ new boys will be hoping to make a name for themselves on the south coast.

Redknapp was back in town with his current club Tottenham Hotspur and a bumper crowd got to see some of Spurs’ household names.

But of more interest to Cherries fans were the men in red. For the home support, it was an opportunity to run the rule over the team Eddie Howe has assembled to compete in League One. And despite this one-sided scoreline, the likes of Marc Pugh and Harry Arter made a decent first impression.

Pugh, the attacking midfielder signed from Hereford United, looked lively on the left flank and gave Scotland international Alan Hutton a couple of uncomfortable moments during the opening exchanges.

But it was perhaps the lesser known Arter, the playmaker plucked from non-league Woking, who enhanced his reputation most with some eye-catching moments.

Given more game-time than most after coming on as a 23rd-minute substitute for injured trialist Lyle Taylor, the Londoner showed some neat touches and a willingness to get on the ball, while a crunching first-half tackle on Dean Parrett showed he can also mix it.

Despite the bright spots, though, Cherries ultimately found an impressive Tottenham side too strong.

After containing their illustrious opponents – and enjoying some good moments of their own – in the early stages, Cherries gifted the visitors a goal nine minutes before the interval.

A mix-up between Shaun Cooper and Shwan Jalal saw the Cherries centre-half send his back-header past the onrushing keeper, leaving Jonathan Obika the simple task of tapping into the unguarded net. And with that, the tone of the match changed.

Both managers made wholesale changes at the interval, with Mitchell Nelson and Michael Symes among Cherries’ substitutes, while Spurs called on top pair Luka Modric and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

And it was the Russian who profited from another defensive slip-up, this time involving Liam Feeney and Nelson, to double the advantage on 61 minutes.

Within seconds, Spurs, who hit the woodwork through Andros Townsend and Adel Taarabt, struck again when Townsend and Pavlyuchenko teed up Danny Rose.

And Pavlyuchenko completed his fine afternoon’s work when he raced clear to lob Dan Thomas for Tottenham’s fourth on 74 minutes.

There was still time for Arter to complete a promising display by almost setting up a late consolation.

The midfielder won possession on halfway and drove at the Spurs defence before sending a well-weighted pass to Feeney, only for the winger to fire high and wide from a tight angle.

As opening pre-season friendlies go, there were enough reasons for fans to leave Dean Court in positive mood. Cherries and their supporters can also seek solace in the fact that, come August, they won’t meet this calibre of opposition.

Cherries first half: (4-4-2) Jalal; Bradbury, Cooper, Pearce, Cummings (Purches, 37); McQuoid, Partington, Hollands, Pugh; Pitman, Taylor (Arter, 23).

Cherries second half: (4-4-2) Thomas; Nelson, Bartley, Pearce (Partington, 72), Purches; Feeney, Robinson, Arter, McQuoid (Stockley, 79); Symes, Fletcher.

Tottenham Hotspur first half: (4-4-2) Cudicini; Hutton, Butcher, Caulker, Bale; Bentley (Townsend, 25), Bostock, Parrett, Mason; Keane, Obika.

Tottenham Hotspur second half: (4-4-2) Alnwick; Naughton, Kaboul, Livermore, Rose; Smith, Modric, Jenas, Townsend; Pavlyuchenko, Taarabt.

Referee: James Linington (Newport, Isle of Wight)