STEVE Cook believes Manchester City are at times "impossible to play against" and insists Cherries must up their game against Pep Guardiola's high-fliers.

Since their elevation to the top flight, Cherries have been beaten by City on three occasions, conceding 13 goals in the process. And Eddie Howe's side tonight face a visiting team boosted by the recent emergence of highly-rated Brazilian teenager Gabriel Jesus.

Guardiola has no shortage of talent in attacking areas with Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne among his many options.

Although the manager has attracted criticism following his team's slump to fifth in the league standings, Cook rates the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss highly and is confident the Spaniard will one day enjoy Premier League title glory.

Speaking ahead of the clash at Vitality Stadium (8pm), Cook told the Daily Echo: "Manchester City started the season unbelievably well and everyone thought Guardiola was going to bring them another title but everyone knows the Premier League isn't easy to call.

"It's such a hard league that I don't think there can be any criticisms of Guardiola because of the amount of titles and cups he has won. I'm sure, in time, he will get his hands on the Premier League.

"With their quality and style of play, when Manchester City get it right, they are impossible to play against and we're very aware of the way they want to play. It's the best way to play football, in my opinion.

"The criticism of him is very harsh, especially as this season is his first taste of English football."

Central defender Cook, who played 90 minutes of each of the past three defeats against City, admitted each loss had been a painful experience.

He said: "The games have been a bit embarrassing on our part as we haven't conceded fewer than four goals – that needs to change.

"These sort of games can really ignite a season. There has been a lot of talk about our recent form and it's a great chance for us to change that.

"I don't think you can have an individual plan for each of their attacking players, I think we are just going to have a general plan on how to defend.

"Manchester City have top-quality players and it's just a case of who plays because you can't play every one of them. They have been able to bring in these players and they should have this amount of talent with the amount of money they have spent.

"We have played against Manchester City three times in the Premier League and conceded a lot of goals so, hopefully, Monday is the day we stop that and get back to form."

Cook, who has been ever present in the league this campaign, wants to give the fans reason for excitement when City arrive in town.

He added: "Manchester City have done very well over the past five years – won titles and been in the Champions League.

"Their whole team is one of the best in Europe and it's a great test for us having them down at Dean Court.

"Hopefully, we can give our fans something to cheer about because we haven't given them much to cheer about in recent games."