MARAUDING Simon Francis admitted that a compilation of his attacking best bits had provided the inspiration for his all-star performance against Wigan.

The experienced right-back capped an energetic and penetrative display with a 70th-minute goal as Cherries sunk their visitors 2-0 in the Championship.

And the 29-year-old, who penned a fresh three-year deal in August, revealed that the prior input of boss Eddie Howe had played a crucial role in his performance.

Asked about his attacking instincts, Francis told the Daily Echo: “It came from the gaffer, really. He’s always showing me clips of when I’ve done it in previous games and other players that do it as well.

“The way we play and the relationship I’ve got with Matt Ritchie means that as soon as he gets the ball I’ve got one thing on my mind, which is to bomb forward.

“Tommy Elphick is a typical centre-half, he always wants me close to him so he’s always shouting at me to come back and Matty is always shouting at me to get forward, so I’m stuck in the middle!”

Created in part by his earlier surge down the wing, Francis’s goal finished off a fine team move that thrilled the Dean Court faithful.

Ritchie’s pass was dummied by Junior Stanislas and Yann Kermorgant – who had earlier opened the scoring – provided the inch-perfect pass from which Francis slotted home.

The full-back hailed aspects of the goal as the equal of Cherries’ 31-pass effort at Norwich in August – a move which saw him provide the telling cross.

Francis said: “I think it definitely rivals the goal against Norwich in terms of the build-up play and it’s always nice to chip in with a goal, because as a defender I don’t get too many.

“I’d like to say it was a measured finish but I just saw the keeper coming and thought I’d try and put the ball through his legs, and thankfully it went through.

“I want to chip in with a few more this season bearing in mind the way we play and the amount I get forward. Instead of just trying to get assists, I want to add that to my game.

“It wasn’t just about my goal, a lot of lads could have chipped in with goals and the team performance was outstanding.”