SKIPPER Martin Miller insists Bournemouth are not feeling any pressure to live up to external expectations over their Southern Premier League Division One title prospects.

Miller acknowledged outsiders would consider the Chapel Gate outfit as one of the teams to watch in 2016 having bolstered the ranks with the likes of Dorset skipper Chris Park.

But with promotion only open to the champions, last weekend’s meek showing against Andover was a setback Bournemouth could ill afford.

And while Miller admitted his side would need to produce far better to maintain a push for honours, he called for patience while he rubber-stamps his best XI.

Miller told the Daily Echo: “It is difficult at this stage of the season to know where we sit.

“You hear about other clubs losing players but the beauty of this league is you always have three new teams that you don’t know so much about.

“There is an element of unknown. I know others are talking about us potentially being challengers but if we keep performing like we did last week, we won’t be anywhere near it.

“We still have to balance the influx of new players with those we have lost, which includes two strike bowlers and an overseas player. They are three big holes to fill and if the guys coming in manage to fill them, we will be fine. We just have to find that blend.

“I haven’t yet seen all of those vying for a place play, which is a problem. I am not 100 per cent certain we have our best team nailed down but that will come with time.

“I don’t think there is any pressure, we just have to keep the rebuilding process going and if we play to the best of our ability, the results will take care of themselves."

“On our day, we are capable of beating anybody. We proved that last year and we should prove it this year but we had a bad day against Andover and lost to a team people thought we should have beaten.”

And as critical as he was over Bournemouth’s last outing, Miller was adamant there had been no complacency.

“You could use any number of words to describe last weekend,” he added. “Dismal, miserable, horror show, the lot. It was not a good batting performance at all.

“The Andover side we played had a number of players missing due to a wedding but we simply didn’t perform. If we don’t perform, we won’t win matches.

“That said, I didn’t think we were complacent and while Totton & Eling have had a tough start, we certainly won’t be taking them lightly.”

Miller is without the unavailable Dominic Clutterbuck for the clash.

Bournemouth: Miller, Bridgen, Bartlett, Park, Matthews, Hurley, Abbas, Jones, Pack, Warner, Woodward.

In the Premier Division, Kevin Nash (calf) misses Bashley’s home clash with unbeaten Burridge, while Lymington travel to Ventnor (both 1pm).

Bashley: Gates, Thurgood, Jacques, Porter, Bailiff, Watkins, Ridley, Digby, Neal, Thomson, Lilley.

Lymington: Hand, Rogers, Scott, McManus, Ellis, Lock, Beetham, Calcott, Blake, Metcalfe, Moors.