YANN Kermorgant insisted his fruitful first year with Cherries had helped him shake off the unwanted tag of Championship battering ram.

The 33-year-old, snapped up from Charlton Athletic for a reported fee of £400,000 on deadline day last January, arrived at Dean Court having been used predominantly as a target man by the Addicks.

But new boss Eddie Howe soon cast the Frenchman in the role of support striker, a switch he has relished with 15 goals from 27 starts and 15 substitute appearances inside 12 months at Cherries.

And the former Leicester frontman believes playing in a more fluent attacking side is the key to showcasing his technical talent.

Kermorgant told the Daily Echo: “Playing with better players who play good football and pass on the floor is the big difference for me.

“I had been used to playing in different teams that would maybe play more direct to make the most of my physical ability.

“For me there was a lot of jumping and heading when I played at Charlton but here we play more from the back and I much prefer that.

“Fighting in the air is not my game. I prefer to jump to try and score goals, not just to win the flicks.

“At Charlton I would sometimes flick for no one and it was a bit too predictable for the opponents. The beauty here is that everyone can score.

“Opponents still know me as a target man or a threat in the air but because of our style of play it is harder for them to know how the team is going to use me.

“Sometimes it can help to use my aerial ability, especially with a busy striker like Callum (Wilson), but I like the style we play. I get more from it and the team gets more from me.”

But Kermorgant is still cursing his straight red card at Bolton at the start of October.

The Beast from Brittany, who publicly criticised the sanction at the time, was suspended for three matches and Brett Pitman quickly established himself in the Cherries XI.

“It has been a little bit difficult for me,” added Kermorgant.

“Just when I had started to feel good I unfortunately got my red card and I have been on the bench quite a lot since then.

“The decision definitely cost me but that is a part of football. Injuries and suspensions happen and when you miss games people get the chance to play in front of you.

“It is difficult to complain when the team is winning. You just have to make sure that you do well when you come on, even if it is only for 10, 15, maybe 20 minutes.

“I am disappointed but will keep working hard to get back my place in the starting XI.”