Alan Connell _(Image: Robin Jones)_
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ALAN Connell was proud of his [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) development squad for how they have performed this season despite falling just short in the Professional Development League playoff final.
Bournemouth were beaten by Brentford 3-2 which brought a 15-game unbeaten run to an end, including 14 wins on the bounce, to see them finish top of the South Group of the competition.
But, despite that defeat, Connell was pleased with the side’s ‘big effort’ from the start of the season to the finish.
“Ten months of hard work from the start of pre-season, lots of ups and downs,” he told the Daily Echo.
“In development of football, it's tough because you never quite know what team you're going to have and there's loans, there's players going up for the first team, there's all sorts.
“You have to be proactive but also reactive at times.
“I always try to keep a steady ship and try and keep make sure our core values are there no matter what team we've put out and make sure we align with the first team with regards our principles of play and how we want it to look.
“I'm extremely proud of what the players have contributed from day one of pre-season to the final tonight.”