Brooks hails Cherries’ confident win over Swansea City in FA Cup

CHERRIES attacker David Brooks hailed his side’s confident display as they cruised past Swansea City 5-0 in the FA Cup fourth round.

First half goals from Lloyd Kelly, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, Brooks, and Dominic Solanke secured safe passage to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Brooks, who has found gametime limited at Vitality Stadium this season, captained the side until his 70th minute replacement for Marcus Tavernier.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Brooks shared: “The first half was massive for us.

“I think even the cup game against Swansea the first time, we didn’t really start great and then you can quite easily become on the back foot.

“We found out against QPR.

“So we knew we had to kind of start quick. And that’s what we did.”

In previous encounters with lower league opposition this term, Cherries have struggled out of the blocks in cup competitions.

Head coach Andoni Iraola had commented before the game that there would be a focus on a strong start against Swansea, and that proved to be the case as Cherries rushed into a 3-0 lead 14 minutes into the game.

“I think it’s not a direct message, but we all kind of knew that,” Brooks continued.

“It is a chance for us boys that that don’t really play.

“And sometimes it is a little bit difficult to try and get up to speed for a minute.

“Obviously we are trying to but I think it kind of all clicked today. We did well.”
Brooks had a hand in the first two goals, setting up Kelly and Scott, before getting on the scoresheet himself with Cherries’ fourth.

Asked what it was like when a team is firing on all cylinders, Brooks added: “You get extremely confident.

“I think, with the more minutes you play, you’re usually doing nice things.

“So it builds your confidence to try even more.

“(Swansea) was a prime example of that.

“I think we started on the front foot, kept winning it back high and the chances were there.

“So everyone’s confidence was high, to keep going and doing the right things.

“I think everyone on the pitch wanted to score a goal.

“But the main message was keep a clean sheet and keep it tight.

“There’s no disrespect to Swansea, they are a very good team.

“They’ll keep the ball and if you give them time on the ball, they’ll hurt you.

“So the message was just keep pressing the same, don’t let them have time and don’t even let them have a sniff in the game.

“That’s what we did. Kept the clean sheet and job done.”