SIMON Francis has backed Cherries to produce a backlash “sooner rather than later” and emphatically end their dip in form by thrashing a Championship rival.

Cherries have suffered a frustrating start to the campaign, particularly at Dean Court where they have already dropped eight points from winning positions having dominated the early exchanges.

Eddie Howe’s men did not lose a league match in which they scored first last season but have seen Nottingham Forest and Leeds United overturn deficits to take maximum points from trips to Dorset.

Cherries recorded thumping 4-1 victories over both Leeds and Forest 4-1 with some dazzling displays towards the back end of last season and Francis has no doubt that the club’s passing principles will bear fruit again.

Assessing Cherries’ recent form, Francis told the Daily Echo: “It’s almost becoming a recurring theme for us at the moment. Performance-wise we’re right at it but things aren’t quite going for us.

“It’s like déjà vu. We go a goal up and dominate possession but then don’t quite go for it as much as we should to make it two or three. I’m not sure why, it is so hard to put your finger on but we are finding that, especially at home, teams understand us that little bit more and tend to sit back.

“It’s something to look at but we’re not going to change the way we play and nor should we because we are still dominating games. Against Leeds in the first half we were as good as we have been all season.

“I’m sure our luck will turn and sooner rather than later we’ll win a game by three or four goals. I remember saying something similar last season and in the end everything clicked into place. We got our rewards for keeping the ball and creating chances and hopefully it will turn for us this time.”

But while Francis admits Cherries are feeling the strain, he believes tomorrow’s trip to Watford (12.15pm) can provide the perfect pick-me-up.

He added: “There will be pressure on us because we haven’t been winning games. We had one or two patchy results and wanted to turn it round after the international break so it has been frustrating.

“But with Watford being the home team, the onus will be on them to come at us. It probably suits us and hopefully we can exploit that by scoring a few goals. There is a little less pressure in that respect. It will be tough and they are up there for a reason.

They have a good squad who play the right way and have worked on their formation over the past couple of years so it should be an entertaining game.”