CHARLIE Daniels is wary of mixed messages presented by statistics – despite the numbers showing he has established himself as a potent attacking force in the Premier League.

Since Cherries' elevation from the Championship in 2014-15, no top-flight defender has had a hand in more goals than left-back Daniels, who has four goals and six assists to his name.

The 30-year-old former Leyton Orient man netted one and set up another as Cherries thumped Hull City 6-1 at Vitality Stadium on Saturday, first ramming home after Junior Stanislas's free-kick had hit the bar, before his tenacious run and pass set up substitute Dan Gosling for number six.

Although appreciative of positive statistics, Daniels admitted figures could be massaged and said his displays had improved after an imperfect start.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's a good stat to have but you can make stats whatever you want them to be.

"It is a nice stat to see and if I can continue that, it will be brilliant. I try to help the team, not only defensively but in attack and if I can score more goals, it's brilliant, but to assist more is my aim.

"I would like to have started a bit better. I don't think I started the greatest. I couldn't tell you what that was down to, it wasn't down to a lack of perseverance.

"But as the season's gone on, I feel I've got better and better and am starting to get a good partnership with Jordon (Ibe) and Junior (Stanislas). It's going well. I can't complain."

Every member of the Cherries back four which featured in the thrashing of Hull – Daniels, Steve Cook, Simon Francis and Adam Smith – has played for the club in the top flight, the Championship and League One in the past six years.

It was Cook's 200th appearance in a Cherries shirt and the defender will soon celebrate his five-year anniversary in Dorset, as will Francis.

Asked about the secret to the longevity of the back four, Daniels said: "I don't there is any secret. It's down to hard work, great quality players and a bit of trust from the manager.

"The more you go up the leagues, giving that trust and the chance to play is a massive thing. Then it's down to us to play well and keep our places.

"A lot of people would probably have said 'they are not good enough because they have never played in that league before'. It's testament to the gaffer to keep that trust and I guess it's a well done for us for improving and playing well.

"Being together a long time helps massively. I guess it gives you a second intuition. We know each other's games, especially me and Cooky. We have played alongside each other throughout and this is our sixth season.

"It's a long time and it was great for him to get his 200th appearance."