Under-pressure Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll has been told he has just six games to improve results if he is to save his job.

The Cherries are without a win this season, following a disastrous run-in of just three wins in 29 games last term which saw them relegated from Division Two.

Chairman Peter Phillips explained his decision before Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Oxford.

"At the start of the season, we agreed that a good start was imperative and our minimum target was be in the top seven after 10 games," Phillips said.

"In every other way, Sean is doing an outstanding job. He is an excellent coach, extremely dedicated and hard working, and he has revitalised the youth structure.

"However, like all managers, Sean knows that he is judged on results - and time is running out."

O'Driscoll has spent nearly 20 years at Bournemouth, where he holds the record for the most appearances as a player.

He served the club in a variety of backroom roles, including physio and youth coach, before finally taking the managerial reins in August 2000.

Speaking after the Oxford game, O'Driscoll said: "I've been under pressure from the first moment I was asked to do the job.

"I knew there were no resources, I knew there were going to be difficult times and this is one of them."

Striker Derek Holmes added that the players were firmly behind O'Driscoll as well as coach Peter Grant and that the squad must take their share of responsibility for results.

"We've got to concentrate on doing our jobs on the park - as in the end, it's down to us," Holmes insisted.

"The manager picks the team, but once we cross that white line, it's down to us to get those victories.

"If anyone's to blame, it's us. The manager and Peter have been excellent - they've worked hard, we can't fault them, and we'll be doing our best to keep them."