No fear for Cherries heading into historic season as Brooks aims to enjoy campaign

THE Cherries come into the season without fear of any opposition that they might face in the Premier League or Europa League, David Brooks said, as the Welshman aims to ‘put a smile on his own face’ by playing as much as possible this term.

It is a historic season for the club as they make their Europa League bow, and the Daily Echo caught up with Brooks as he was about to head out onto the golf course at Bournemouth’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

Brooks revealed who, among his regular four-ball, was the best – although he didn’t like to admit it!

Five things we learned from Rose's first Cherries game in 4-1 win over St Pauli

Jebbison wants to fight for place at Cherries in system under Rose he 'loves'

Evanilson can be "nine and a half" for Cherries - New boss Rose

"We seemed really attacking" - Continental Cherries fans impressed with St Pauli win

Busy day as Cherries get pre-season friendlies underway - Tour diary day five

"I don't want to say it, but in our four-ball, it's Ryan Christie," he said.

"But he's playing with Tav [Marcus Tavernier], who brings his level down a little bit. So yeah, it's me and Scotty [Alex Scott] vs Tavernier and Ryan Christie.

"But even though he's the best, me and Scotty have still got the trophy in our locker back at the training ground, and we expect it to stay there after today as well!"

(Image: Richard Crease)

The round took place on the day after the club’s first pre-season friendly as they beat St Pauli 4-1.

It was a good performance, but one that Brooks missed, along with Junior Kroupi, due to some muscle fatigue.

He explained: "I've trained every day up until that point and just felt like something very, very small.

"So obviously the medical team had a conversation with the gaffer and he said it wasn't worth the risk at this point in the season.

"It was obviously his decision, but I'm happy to go down that route and, as a precaution and try not to make things worse.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"But hopefully I'll be training probably tomorrow again and hopefully have a good lead-up to playing some minutes next week."

Brooks said it has been a good camp to date as they start to get used to what new boss Marco Rose is looking for from them.

"It's obviously just getting used to what he wants and his style of play and things like that," he said.

"But yeah, the intensity of training's been the same, and, like you've seen yesterday, obviously the boys are working hard in the game as well.

"It's just fine-tuning, obviously, what this gaffer would like to happen in different situations. But like I say, we're all enjoying it."

While Rose broadly plays a similar style to predecessor Andoni Iraola, there are, of course, some tweaks.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Asked what he’s been asking for from his wingers, Brooks said: "I don't want to give his tactics away too much, but yeah, it's just obviously like what he wants from his wingers and his 10s and things like that, where we need to be in certain situations and kind of what he would like that's different to Andoni.

"And yeah, it's obviously just learning that on the training pitch. We've only had a little over a week and obviously missed the game yesterday, but I think over the next couple weeks we'll get there, and I'm sure we'll have plenty more chats on what he wants me to do."

Off the pitch, Brooks said Rose had integrated himself into the squad well and has been a positive influence – although he said they were yet to see the other side of him!

"He obviously introduced himself to the team and he seems very friendly," the 29-year-old said.

"He's had multiple chats with the majority of the lads. So yeah, he's obviously a really nice guy. Everyone's getting on with him.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"Yet to see like his nasty streak in a sense of that, so hopefully we can keep that down with some good performances!

"But yeah, he's obviously a really nice guy and obviously just, like I say, getting used to what he wants."

The Welsh winger said there had been some emphasis on him and the more senior players to help Rose settle in quickly.

"I think obviously it is natural, when you get older, you take on a little bit of a different role," he said.

"I'm not a young lad anymore, and I've been in the Premier League for a while now, so it's obviously my job to help as many people settle into the club and hit the ground running, as a lot of the squad are now, especially the leadership team.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"I think it just comes with age and a little bit of responsibility, the different types of role.

"But like I say, all the lads that have come in, have hit the ground running, and we'll be doing exactly the same to try and help the gaffer’s transition be as smooth as possible."

The wing is one area where Bournemouth have plenty of depth.

Brooks has competition from Rayan, Ben Gannon-Doak, Marcus Tavernier and Amine Adli for the two spots – but he knows that there’ll be plenty of opportunity for all of the group to get game time this season.

"There's going to be a lot of games this year, so it's not about the two that necessarily start that first game of the season," he said.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"And I think everyone knows that there's going to be periods where unfortunately people do get injured or there's going to be fatigue.

"Like I say, the schedule is going to be very gruelling this year, so everyone's got to be just ready for when the opportunity comes.

"There are quite a few wingers, but everyone's training to impress, and yeah, I think that'll be the aim for everyone."

The Cherries will be in the Europa League this season, which was a “massive” achievement for the group, and Brooks said they’ll “thoroughly enjoy” it.

They won’t be shying away from the biggest teams, either, and enter the competition with plenty of confidence.

(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

"I feel like to win a competition you do need some elements to kind of go with you, especially with lads being fit and sometimes the draw that happens at certain times and things like that," he said.

"But yeah, like I think you've seen last year, obviously we competed in the Prem and beat everyone, so it's not a case of we go into any game fearing anyone.

"We know we can win and we know what we can do if we're on it, so that's the main focus, is obviously just trying to be as best as we can and I'm sure we'll do well."

He continued: "Everyone wants to play in the big stadiums on the big occasions so it's not like any of the lads will be shying away from that if we do get any big teams in the draw and things like that.

David Brooks (Image: NQ)

"So like I say, it's obviously, it's a nice thing to be in the competition.

"We want to do well, we want to compete, and it's obviously a credit to Bournemouth that we're in that position."

Personally speaking, this season will be as much about enjoying it as anything.

"I've obviously said it a few times with my period out, I want to enjoy football until I can't anymore," he said.

"So it's just being out on that pitch enjoying it as much as possible.

"Obviously I love creating chances and getting myself in goal-scoring opportunities, which hopefully I'll get a few more goals this season as well.

"So, it's, like I say, just trying to put a smile on my own face and play as much as possible."