EDDIE Howe revealed he would never be complacent over Premier League survival and insisted: “We have done nothing and need to maximise every game.”

With 12 fixtures of the campaign remaining, Cherries have 33 points in the bank and are nine clear of the relegation zone.

In terms of points accrued at this stage of a Premier League season, Cherries have never been in a stronger position.

But boss Howe claimed there remained plenty to do.

He told the Daily Echo: “I never feel safe until we are safe, whatever that figure is.

“The danger is we talk about what’s going on above us and don’t understand the importance of every point we’re fighting for at the moment.

“There is no complacency from my side. There never has been and never will be. Every game I manage is life and death, it’s that important for me.

“You are desperate to win and desperate to get points. Hopefully, I am coming across very clear that we have done nothing and need to maximise every game.”

Pundits often discuss the 40-point barrier as a marker for survival but history shows there are no guarantees.

Since the Premier League turned into a 20-team league ahead of the 1995-96 season, Sunderland (1996-97), Bolton (1997-98) and West Ham (2002-03) have dropped to the second tier despite reaching 40 points or more.

Put to him that he did not buy into ‘the magical 40-point mark’, Howe said: “No, because it’s a number which everyone throws at you.

“I think it’s a very dangerous thing – ‘you are nearly there, you don’t need to worry about the next group of games’ – I don’t understand that mentality.

“You try to win and play to the best of your ability in every game and you fight for points until the season ends.

“You would like to think that, as professionals, the players would not need to be told that and the group we have is very competitive and honest.

“They have been in the league long enough to know how quickly things can change. We are fighting in every match.”

Cherries face a testing eight days with tomorrow’s meeting with seventh-place Wolves at Vitality Stadium (3pm) followed by a trip to big guns Arsenal and a clash with title-chasing Manchester City.

Howe said: “Getting a good start to the week would be hugely beneficial. Every run of fixtures in the Premier League can look difficult – that’s the beauty of the game and the league we are in.

“Every win gives you the feeling that you can win the next game. We definitely know the importance of this one.”

Cherries have never suffered a league defeat to Wolves on home soil.

The only occasion on which Wolves tasted success in a competitive game away to Cherries was in 1948, when they triumphed 2-1 in the FA Cup.