CHERRIES PICKED.. CHERRIES STICKED

Scott's so happy to see Iraola stay after summer exodus

- BY GRAHAM THOMAS

ALEX SCOTT watched £200million of talent leave Bournemouth this summer, but admitted he was more worried he might lose his manager.

Andoni Iraola was linked with Tottenham and other clubs, but the Cherries manager still resides at the homeliest club in the Premier League. England Under-21s midfielder Scott - who Iraola signed for £25m two years ago from Bristol City - played a big role in his team's first win of the season and then revealed why he was so relieved to see his boss stay on the south coast.

"It was brilliant for us to keep him and particularly for me as well," said Scott (right), who played five out of six games as England Under-21s retained their European crown this summer.

"He brought me in here and he gave me my Premier League debut.

"He is a top manager and a top coach. He's been here for a couple of years and really embedded his style of play.

"The lads have bought into it really well and we've just gone up a lot each year he's been here.