TOMMY Elphick insisted the team's strong performances had prevented Cherries from becoming bogged down by recent results.

Eddie Howe’s Championship leaders host Watford tomorrow (7.45pm) on the back of three defeats in four matches in all competitions.

League defeats against Norwich and Leeds sandwiched a three-point haul at Rotherham prior to Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round exit at Aston Villa.

But the Cherries captain was adamant the camp had been in high spirits this week – despite not yielding the rewards he felt their performances had deserved.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: “We might have lost three of the past four games but when you sum it up it was only the Norwich game that disappointed us.

“We bounced back with a good win at Rotherham and did everything but win the next game at Leeds.

“There is not too much concern and it is not playing on our minds. The mood is good round the training ground and for us it is just about getting the results now. We know the performances have been there.”

If Cherries are to bounce back, they will have to break a cycle of bad luck against the Hornets.

Cherries have not beaten Watford at home in seven attempts dating back to 1977 and failed to convert penalties in the past two meetings between the sides – both 1-1 draws.

Lewis Grabban netted one but had another saved by Manuel Almunia last January and Ian Harte dragged his 12-yard effort past the post during this season’s away clash in September.

Elphick, however, was quick to point out the positives and vowed to use the close calls as motivation this time round.

“Although we did not quite manage to get three points, we definitely more than matched Watford in those two games,” he added.

“Both were very entertaining affairs between two good passing sides with a lot of attacking prowess and this one should be no different.

“They have many players who are proven at this level. Troy Deeney is one of a few players being touted for a move to the Premier League and that is no coincidence.

“The way they have performed over the past three of four years provides a good benchmark for teams in this league because they are in there year after year.

“It will be a unique test and the sort of game that will throw up many different outcomes so we have to be on our game and try to get the job done.

“Every match throws up different statistics but we cannot think about that. For us it is very much about concentrating on ourselves, getting back on track and making sure we pick up the win.”