Cook delighted as Cherries rediscover defensive steel

Bournemouth finally have a clean sheet in 2017 to celebrate and defender Steve Cook hopes it is the first of many.

Saturday’s 2-0 win over Swansea moved the Cherries nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

And their defensive solidity has been steadily improving of late – according to Cook.

“A clean sheet’s been a long time coming,” he said. “It’s been since Swansea away on New Year’s Eve, which is far too long; we’ve conceded a lot of goals.

“As a back four we’ve been working really hard in the last couple of weeks and ever since Manchester United we’ve looked very solid.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I’m delighted, it’s like scoring goals when you’re a defender so a clean sheet is huge for us.”

“We’ve been persistent. Over the last three games we’ve looked more solid as a team and we’re working very hard out on the pitch and on the training ground.”