Skipper Smith enjoying intensity working with "top" new boss Rose

CHERRIES club captain Adam Smith is into his 13th pre-season with the club and it's been an intense one under new boss Marco Rose - but that was fully expected.

The Bournemouth legend has played under eight different managers or head coaches while at the club, with Rose brought in to lead the team into their first campaign of European football.

The German plays a similar brand of football to predecessor Andoni Iraola, and that means intensity, which there has been plenty of so far in the Rose reign.

That was expected, though, as Smith told the Daily Echo.

"The gaffer wants us to play a similar way to last season with some modifications in it that he wants to change," he said.

Marco Rose (Image: NQ)

"So it's learning them and we've played one game so far, but it's still getting to grips with what he wants.

"But the main thing is that we still want to press high and still want to play with high intensity."

While it is a new coach, Smith said it was a familiar approach tactically for him as a right-back.

"I can't really go too much into it, but it's not a massive change as a fullback and maybe other positions it's a bit more of a change," he said.

"But yeah, as a fullback it's quite similar."

(Image: Ben Whitley/PA Wire)

Smith played the full first half of the club's first pre-season friendly, against St Pauli, last week.

Asked if he was feeling good, the right-back candidly admitted: "No, not really!

"The first game is quite difficult, to be honest.

"It's a long summer off, a lot of hard training days. You're playing under fatigue. So yeah, it's not like you don't feel amazing going into the game.

"But it's getting the work in, conditioning in, and getting your match sharpness in. And yeah, the first game is always about just getting your fitness in, really."

The 35-year-old has been enjoying working with Rose, and, as club captain, he has been working with the new boss to ensure the transition is smooth.

"I think he's been top, to be honest with you," Smith said of Rose.

Marco Rose (Image: NQ)

"He had some meetings with myself and the leadership group just to get to know what we like and what we don't like.

"He's obviously told us what he expects from us, and I think overall it's been a very good camp.

"We've still got a few more days here, so yeah, so far so good."

While it is set to be a historic season for the club as they play in the Europa League for the first time, Smith knows that will bring its challenges that the squad must rise to.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"It's exciting times to be at this club and we know we have to put the work in this preseason because we're going to have a lot more games, we're going to have a bigger squad, and it's going to be tough, to adapt to playing Thursday and Sunday," he said.

"We've seen that with past teams, that it takes some time to get to grips with it.

"So hopefully we can get to grips as quick as possible and start off the Premier League season with a few wins, it'd be nice."

But there is plenty of European experience in both the coaching group, including Rose, and squad, so there'll be expertise to draw upon throughout the season, although they haven't discussed it yet, Smith said.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"It's early days, but I'm sure the gaffer is going to speak to us about it," he said.

"Like you said, he's been there, done that.

"So it's good that he's here and he's got the experience of playing in European competition.

"So, he can definitely help us on that.

"And yeah, overall, the lads are very excited and just working hard."

(Image: Richard Crease)

The past two pre-season tours have been in the USA, but has Smith preferred the quieter setting in Austria?

He admitted: "It's different to the US. It's much quieter.

"You finish training and, I don't know, you go on a bike ride or chill by the pool or something like this.

"For me personally, I like the US a little bit more, but yeah, for some people that like to chill in their rooms and sit there all afternoon, it's just different!

"But it's good that the main focus is that we can work hard, good training facilities, and yeah, four more days left."

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