STEVE Cook hit back at suggestions Cherries had already started their summer holidays in the wake of a second successive chastening defeat.

Shell-shocked Cherries conceded three times in 12 catastrophic first-half minutes as they crashed 4-0 at the hands of Premier League big guns Manchester City on Saturday.

It came on the back of a 3-0 reverse at Tottenham – after which Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer had levelled the claim against Eddie Howe’s team.

But while Cook admitted some of their defending against City had been “embarrassing”, he strongly refuted Shearer’s comment and insisted there had been no let up.

Despite the setback, Cherries, who faced City fresh from a training camp in Dubai, remained 11 points clear of the drop zone with six games of the season left.

Responding to a question put by the Daily Echo about Shearer’s jibe, Cook said: “I didn’t see the programme but we heard about it.

“I wish he (Shearer) had come to Dubai to watch us train because it was intense and the standard was very high.

“I know it might not have shown against City but we worked very hard while we were out there. We didn’t perform on the day but that wasn’t because we were relaxed, it was because we were outplayed by a better team.

“We wanted to put on a performance but it didn’t go that way. We have left ourselves open to criticism but that happens when you lose games.

“We didn’t lose because we went to Dubai. We lost because we weren’t good enough on the day and gave away sloppy goals against a top-quality team.

“We were angry at the way we lost the game. Conceding three goals in the first 19 minutes is embarrassing whoever you play.

“But we didn’t give up. I know we lost 4-0 and conceded another poor goal at the end but City showed their credentials when they were up against it so credit to them for that.”

Cook, one of Cherries’ most consistent performers in their debut season in the top flight, had hinted following their victory over Swansea that 38 points may be good enough to keep them up.

Asked what the mentality among the squad was like now, Cook replied: “We had players falling out in the dressing room so it shows tempers are still high.

“We know we are not there yet. I know people said we were safe and I was probably one who said it. But when you look at the table with six games left, we need to get points quickly.

“I think we will be alright come the end of the season because we are good enough and are going to pick up points. It is in our hands and I don’t regret saying we are going to stay up because that’s the mind-set and we are very positive. I would have said the same at the start of the season.

“We know we weren’t good enough against City but people saying we have taken our foot off the gas couldn’t be further from the truth.”