AFC Bournemouth boss Paul Groves vows to battle on

Under-fire Bournemouth manager Paul Groves has vowed to battle on and "see the job through" despite more calls from supporters for him to be sacked.

Groves's side were beaten again at the weekend and have only won one league game this season despite significant investment in the summer.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell argued with fans after Saturday's defeat but has publicly backed his manager.

"What doesn't break you, makes you," Groves told BBC Radio Solent.

Groves admits the criticism does hurt, but says he can handle the anger from supporters and is convinced he can turn things around at the club.

"I feel I am strong enough mentally to see the job through," he said.

"It's never been a concern for me. As a player you learn to cope with difficult times. Sometimes that makes you, sometimes that breaks you.

"It's a challenge I enjoy. You don't want tough times, you want to want to be riding high at the top of the league. But when the challenges come around you have to take it on the head."

Groves, whose side travel to Crawley on Tuesday, has also dismissed suggestions of a dressing-room rift and says it is going to take time for his new players to settle into the club.

"If there was any problem with the players in the dressing room you would see that on the pitch," he said.

"Their commitment to the cause has always been there and they are desperate to get a result and are giving their absolute maximum.

"It's a results business, but there is a process towards getting those results each week and you have to build.

"We've bought three players and more have come on a free transfers. We wanted to improve the squad and I feel with the players we have brought in we have. But it takes time for the new players to settle.

"They have to settle into the area and the team. To think you are not going to go through a season and have ups and downs is wrong."

Groves added: "At the end of the season we want to be in the Championship but we don't have to be top of the league in September to do that.

"When does the league finish? I understand the need for results but there has to be a process. We have to build foundations to put those results in place. It takes time for players to settle down."