BOSS Eddie Howe believes Yann Kermorgant has been the perfect foil for Lewis Grabban and believes the pair have struck fear into Championship defences.

Kermorgant and Grabban have netted eight times between them in Cherries’ past four games as Howe’s men have forced their way into the play-off picture.

Howe said: “It goes without say ing that Yann has made a difference to the team and, with him coming in, the other lads have been lifted in confidence as well. Some of the inter-play we have produced in recent weeks has been a joy to watch from my perspective.

“Yann and Grabbs have formed a really good partnership and nobody wants to play them at the moment.

“They are totally different which I think is their strength and they both bring different things to the team.”

Asked whether he had expected Kermorgant to settle so quickly, Howe replied: “I hoped he would but you never know until you work with a player.

“He is experienced and that helps. You are not bringing in an 18 or 19-year-old, you are bringing in someone who knows and has played the league.

“He has incredible ability and, although I have been pleasantly surprised, it hasn’t been a total shock because I knew he was a good player.

"He is a threat every time you put the ball in the box and his aerial ability is as good as I have seen.”