SKIPPER Tommy Elphick reckons Cherries can reap the on-field benefits of not extending the capacity at their Dean Court home.

The club confirmed on Monday that it would not be adding to the 11,700 available seats ahead of next season's top-flight debut.

Cherries will play out of the smallest ground to grace the Premier League since its inception in 1992 but Elphick is adamant supporters can still create an intimidating atmosphere when the world's elite descend on Dorset.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: "From a playing point of view, we have to use the underdogs tag to our advantage. We did that against the big teams in the Championship and next season should be no different.

"Our home form improved so much as the season went on and the supporters played their part by getting the place rocking.

"We need to take that momentum into the Premier League and, together with the fans, make Dean Court a fortress.

"On the flip side, we will have to get used to the big grounds and the main thing we have to remember, wherever we play, is that it's 11 against 11 on the same pitch."