CHERRIES old boy Ian Bishop is backing Eddie Howe’s men to turn the tide and says they should thrive on the “doubt and fear” of facing Premier League powerhouses Manchester City.

Gifted midfielder Bishop was a hugely popular figure at Dean Court, his exploits in a memorable 1988-89 campaign earning him a move to City following their return to the top flight in the same season.

Bishop, now living in Florida, starred as Cherries ended the season 12th in the second tier, the highest finishing position in the club’s history until Howe’s current crop rewrote the record books.

A big fan of Howe’s footballing philosophy, Bishop is convinced Cherries can preserve their Premier League status and ride the recent run which has seen them pick up two points in five games.

Put to him that supporters had become edgy, Bishop told the Daily Echo: “All I can say to that is just look at the fixture and realise exactly where you are. Would you rather have that or be sitting in the Championship going to some of the clubs in there?

“The first season in the Premier League is always the honeymoon period and the second season is the massive one. If you can survive that then you can stabilize and the club can kick on.

“I think they’ve got enough. Jack Wilshere is absolute quality and if a player like him chooses to play for your club that is a massive sign that you are good enough.

“What Eddie has done and the way he has got them playing is magnificent. It is frightening how well he has done and the way he wants to play is ahead of his time.

“As Pep Guardiola is finding out, it is difficult enough to instil your philosophy into multi-million pound players and to get them to understand it.

“I know it’s a bit different with Bournemouth but Eddie has found a blend and his players buy into his style of football.”

Bishop, who made almost 600 career appearances, including more than 250 for West Ham, added: “West Ham were similar to Bournemouth when I first went there and we had our ups and downs.

“If Bournemouth can do it this season then the fear goes and there are no surprises any more. Look at City, they lost 4-0 at Everton and then went to West Ham and won 4-0. On any given day, they can be Jekyll and Hyde as well.

“Sometimes you need these big games when there is a bit of doubt and fear. Bournemouth have shown they can beat anyone on their day if they perform. “They need to nick a positive result and the confidence will return. I think they need three or four good results to establish themselves because the teams near the bottom won’t keep winning. If they can put together an unbeaten run of four games between now and the end of the season, they will be fine.”