AFC BOURNEMOUTH's key figures delivered brutally frank assessments of Saints before and after their 3-1 win in front of the TV cameras.

Head coach Andoni Iraola, assistant Tommy Elphick and star forward Antoine Semenyo all offered insight into their game plan to face Russell Martin's side.

The trio revealed how obvious they felt some of Southampton's flaws are as they made it sound so simple to dispatch of their neighbours at Vitality Stadium.

Iraola watched Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Semenyo goals from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban - but his absence did not matter. 

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Iraola said: "I always say that the team controlling the game is the one having the chances.

"It doesn't matter if you are on the ball or not. You can choose to be on the ball because you normally have to run less and can dictate the game. 

"I always prefer to have chances instead of the ball. They will do what they normally do and we will try to do the same. Let's see who can dictate the game."

Iraola's assistant Elphick, who made 145 appearances for Cherries as a player and eventually captain, led the team from the dugout with the Spaniard out.

The 37 year old was asked about Southampton's team selection directly and admitted Bournemouth were encouraged by what they saw.

In his post-match press conference, Elphick said: "When you come up against such a contrasting style, it was built up quite a bit before the game.

AFC Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick spoke to the pressAFC Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick spoke to the press (Image: Richard Crease)

"They tried to prove our style was suited to the way they wanted to play. When we saw the Saints team, we knew it was a time to go real aggressive and capitalise on that."

Bournemouth got the original breakthrough via a genius quick free-kick, in which they caught the Saints defence sleeping.

Martin insisted it was something he focused on in training this week but man of the match Semenyo viewed it as a Saints weakness. 

Semenyo said: "We watched a couple of videos in the meetings during the week and we knew we could catch them with quick free-kicks.

"It's quick thinking from Marcus Tavernier and a great finish from Evanilson. I am buzzing for him, he is going to be a problem this year for sure."

Elphick did offer some credit to Saints for their second half, in which Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored and they registered 66 per cent possession.

He admitted: "They changed a lot of personnel and changes shape a lot of times. They were hard to pin down in the second half.

"We couldn't be as aggressive as we wanted to be but sometimes needs must and I thought we did really well to see that period out."