EDDIE Howe predicted Cherries would face more "difficult moments" in the Premier League next season.

The Dorset club followed up 16th and ninth-place finishes in their first two top-flight seasons with a 12th-place effort this time.

Cherries were widely tipped to survive in the campaign's closing months but only wrapped up safety with a game to spare, a home win over Swansea City completing the job.

Asked if pressure had weighed on him during the season, Howe told the Daily Echo: "I don’t think it’s weighed on me. It’s more for the players to deal with on game day.

"That’s not to say I blame anybody connected with the club on that. It’s down to us to produce performances which don’t create that atmosphere.

"But it is a difficult one. Given how difficult the games are at this level, there are always two teams in a match and you never have things your own way.

"It’s those difficult moments which probably define you and we managed to get through them just about okay. But next season I think it will be harder."

The new Premier League campaign is due to begin on Saturday, August 11, two days after the closure of the transfer window.