AFTER thrashing Bournemouth 4-0 in September, Paolo Di Canio told his assistant manager Fabrizio Piccareta that he would quite happily sign the majority of the Cherries side. Four months on, the Swindon Town boss feels vindicated in his judgement.

Two goals from Matt Ritchie, plus one apiece from Andy Williams and Adam Rooney, handed Town an emphatic victory when the sides met earlier this season.

Since then, however, Bournemouth have changed their manager – replacing Paul Groves with Eddie Howe – and have gone on to become serious promotion contenders.

And looking back, Di Canio is happy to admit that he admires the individual qualities of several of the Dean Court outfit’s squad.

“When we won against Bournemouth 4-0 we finished the game and I said to Fabrizio that they had seven or eight players that individually I would have here,” he said.

“Not because my players are not good but because they were good. I said they are over this level and they proved this since they changed their manager.

“With this manager they proved their real quality. I don’t know if they can keep going but in the way they play, in the way they express their football they are one of the best sides.”