EDDIE Howe is convinced his pre-season recruitment will prove “very successful” in time – but the Cherries boss says he is relying on his “experienced heads” to guide the team out of its current rough patch.

Howe added a number of raw talents to his squad last summer, including Brad Smith from Liverpool, French striker Lys Mousset, former Fulham midfielder Emerson Hyndman, and Lewis Cook, last season’s Football League young player of the year.

Loan signings Jack Wilshere and Nathan Ake, along with record buy Jordon Ibe, were the only players to arrive with a substantial amount of Premier League football under their belts.

“A number of those (summer signings) were younger players with an eye on the future,” said Howe.

“It’s difficult at this moment to look at the younger guys to step up and make a difference.

“That’s not to say it’s impossible. But we’re really looking at the experienced heads who’ve played a number of games to lead the younger guys through. That’s how it works for me.

“We’re really excited by the younger players we have and what they can bring us down the line.”

Howe cited previous experience to explain his absolute conviction that his young stars will eventually flourish in a Cherries shirt.

He said: “Historically, you look at all my signings, and with 90% of them there was a period of adjustment.

“Some of them have taken longer than others to really, fully understand what we expect.

“But the mainstays of the team now, who you would say ‘he’s a real Bournemouth player’, took maybe six to 12 months to fully adjust.

“That’s why we need a little bit of patience with all the younger players, but that’s why I’m so excited, because every day in training I see the potential of what they can deliver for us in the future.

“I was very happy with our recruitment in the summer and I think it will show, in time, to be very successful.”