PROMOTION winner Andrew Surman believes a potential Cherries play-off push is missing just one ingredient – a slice of luck.

Surman, on a season-long loan at Dean Court from Premier League Norwich City, reckons Cherries’ recent performances have warranted greater rewards.

The Johannesburg-born midfielder, 27, helped his parent club into the top flight in 2011.

And after establishing himself as a regular starter during his stint at Dean Court, Surman is beginning to see parallels between Cherries’ Championship rookies and that successful Canaries side.

Discussing Cherries’ season so far, Surman told the Daily Echo: “A lot of the players had never played in the Championship and it took a little while for everyone to believe that they were good enough and that the team could compete.

“You can be as confident as you want but, without playing in it, you just never know and we were probably a bit naive at the start.

“Looking at recent performances, we have been a bit unfortunate with some of the results and probably deserved more points out of the games we have played well in.

“I know the play-offs are a few points off but I remember Reading going on an unbelievable run, winning eight in a row to make the play-offs a few seasons ago before winning the title by a mile the season after.

“The possibilities are endless. When I was at Norwich, we never expected to get promoted, it was just a case of taking each game as it came and we gained a bit of momentum.

“From then on, we went on a really good run and were never out of the top six. We had good players and a system that suited us.

“If you can get that recipe quite early with a balanced team, you have every chance to gain momentum you need in the Championship.

“Without being unrealistic, as long as we keep working hard and keep faith with what we are doing, I think everyone believes we are good enough to compete with the best this league has to offer and compete for promotion.

“You just have to take each game as it comes and, if we can get some momentum and put together a good run like we know we are capable of, you never know.

“There is no reason why we can’t put together a run like that and find ourselves on the edge of those play-off spots or, at the very least, set the club up for a push next season.”