MIDFIELDER Andrew Surman insists Cherries are desperate to avoid a "hangover" at the start of next season.

The South Africa-born star admits it is crucial for Cherries to earn points in their remaining Premier League games against Everton, West Brom and Manchester United.

Eddie Howe's side are not mathematically certain of survival in their inaugural top-flight campaign but appear in a favourable position having surpassed the 40-point mark.

And with three fixtures remaining, the 29-year-old Surman says any points gained would have a positive knock-on effect for next term.

Surman told the Daily Echo: "The main thing is to take a bit of momentum into next season. We feel we've done enough to be safe but don't want the season to fizzle out.

"We don't want to be going into next season with a hangover from the last few games of this season, because we haven't played well or picked up many points.

"We want to finish strongly and carry that on.

"We have some tough games left but everyone is pulling in the same direction to try and finish the season off as well as we can."

Surman believes Cherries have come a long way since their top-flight opener against Aston Villa back in August but stressed there was still much work to be done.

The former Norwich man added: "You have got to learn quickly in this league and we have shown we have learned quickly.

"We've come away with pretty bad results at times and then put a run together.

"Although we are learning quickly, we still have a lot to learn. If you are carved open after a bit of brilliance, sometimes you can hold your hands up.

"But you can't give chances to players in the Premier League because they will punish you."