TOMMY Elphick has urged his colleagues to prove the premise they have believed in all season – that Cherries are the best team in the Championship.

Cherries remain in control of their own promotion destiny and victory in their final two matches at home to Bolton and away to Charlton would be enough for a spot in the Premier League, barring a mathematical miracle from rivals Middlesbrough.

The outlook could have been even brighter had Cherries not been denied by Chris Maguire’s penalty in the fifth minute of added time in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

But Elphick argued his side’s unshakable confidence had put them in the box seat and then challenged Cherries to draw on that to prove themselves right.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: “We are where we are for a reason and have to keep believing we are the best team in this league.

“With social media and how the public’s imagination has been captured by this promotion race, it is so hard to get away from but our job is clear – if we take six points, we go up and that is all the lads are focused on.

“You have to feel better about being in control and I don’t know of anyone who would not want to be in our position, apart from Watford. It is up to us. We are either good enough or we are not but we all firmly believe we will be at the end of the season.”

Over the past few weeks, Cherries have been dubbed promotion favourites by pundits with mid-table opponents standing between them and the top flight.

But Elphick insisted the tough nature of recent assignments against Brighton, Reading and Wednesday had been expected and predicted it would get no easier as the pressure intensified.

“I think that is the nature of the beast and we realised that four or five months ago,” he added.

“When you look back at any Championship game this season, it is normal, especially when you are at home.

“If the boot was on the other foot, we would be doing the same, trying to slow down the game and upset the opposition’s rhythm.

“There is something riding on every game for every team, whether it is a new contract or professional pride. Other lads might be playing for moves so there is never a dead rubber.

“That is where the gaffer comes to the fore. He is so level-headed through the ups and downs and keeps us focused on the next game on what lies ahead.

“We just have to focus on ourselves. The ball is always in play often enough for us to create opportunities and while we know anyone can beat anyone, our destiny is in our own hands. We must take great confidence from that.”