IPSWICH manager Mick McCarthy has tipped Cherries’ team of “hard-nosed” professionals for a top-six finish in the Championship.

McCarthy, speaking at his post-match press conference following Saturday’s 2-2 draw, said: “They are nailed on, they will be in the top six. They will be a promotion candidate.

“It is a nice, homely place but I am not having that homely little Bournemouth issue when you come here. They have a team of real hard-nosed pros I reckon.

"They are good footballers who, by the way, they have spent a few quid on and I believe they are giving them a few quid in wages.

“(Andrew) Surman is as good a player in this league as anybody. I think (Yann) Kermorgant is as well, I was interested in him, and (Callum) Wilson looks a really good signing. I know they got money in from (Adam) Lallana and (Lewis) Grabban, (Matt) Ritchie they paid money for.

“They are a really good team and we had to work damn hard to play against them to get a point. If you come here and don’t do it right, you get slapped. They are as tough and resilient as everybody else so I don’t fall into that trap at all.”

McCarthy added: “I thought it was a great advert for the Championship. It was a really competitive, high-quality game between two good teams.

“They were on fire from the start. They caused us a lot of problems but we worked our way back into it.

"We hit the crossbar a couple of times and their goalkeeper made a save so we had our chances. Any point you get away from home is a good point. I would take a point without getting on the bus!”