THE whole is greater than the sum of its parts is frequently bandied around in some sports.

It is also a quote often mistakenly attributed directly to ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle but represented no better than by the rampant might of Cherries’ four-pronged attack.

This season 27 of the Dorset club’s 37 Premier League points have come from games when Callum Wilson, Joshua King, Ryan Fraser and David Brooks have all been in the starting XI.

Eddie Howe’s lively quartet have provided 78 per cent of the team’s league goals in 2018-19 and 74 per cent of the side’s assists.

Last Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Huddersfield was inspired by the ‘Fab Four’ and their ability to carve through defences at will.

The trip to West Yorkshire had been the first time the Cherries boss could call upon the four internationals since January’s 2-0 win against West Ham United. On that day, victory was secured by goals from Wilson and King after work by Fraser and Brooks.

Whether it is the elite modern football microscope or the obsession with individual statistics, some circles seem to overlook the simple fact that football is a team game.

The goal has not moved and the target remains unchanged: score more than the opposition.

Football legend Bill Shankly said: “Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.”

When Cherries’ fearsome front four are in full flight the art of finding the back of the net looks elementary.

With the exceptions of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who redefine greatness, no one can consistently achieve team success on their own.

Thierry Henry led the line for Arsenal’s Invincibles but the supporting cast of Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg provided the platform for his exploits.

The Premier League’s current frontrunners Liverpool and Manchester City both boast collective attacking strength.

While this is not an attempt to draw comparisons with Howe’s prolific forward line in terms of ability, it highlights the importance of combined prowess. Each string of Cherries’ strike force offers qualities to contrast and compliment the talents of their team-mates.

Wilson’s instinct in front of goal, King’s power to drive at the heart of defences, Fraser’s pace and pinpoint crossing and Brooks’s trickery merge in a free-flowing threat.

When one is missing the strengths of the others suffer.

However, Scotland star Fraser believes they can get even better. Howe still has Junior Stanislas to return from injury alongside Jordon Ibe, Lys Mousset and Dominic Solanke in his armoury.

Cherries’ best Premier League tally of 46 points and a ninth-place finish came in the 2016-17 season. Howe’s men have eight games to mount a charge on the top 10 and beyond, with history in their sights.

But first Wilson, King, Fraser and Brooks will head off to take on the challenge and experience of international football for their respective countries, where they play their part in a different attacking machine.