STEVE Cook believes Cherries have “one of the best” attacking forces in the Premier League – and insists a more consistent defensive line-up could be key to improving on last season.

Callum Wilson, Joshua King, David Brooks and Ryan Fraser grabbed the headlines in 2018-19, with the talented quartet teaming up to provide 40 of the Dorset club’s 56 league goals in their fourth top-flight campaign.

However, Eddie Howe’s men leaked 70 goals at the other end as they finished 14th on 45 points.

Cherries utilised 28 different starting defensive combinations in their 43 games in all competitions last season, in large part due to injury woes. And stalwart Cook, who is currently in rehabilitation from a slight injury concern, admitted a more settled backline could help their cause.

He told the Daily Echo: “I can’t remember us having a settled back four or back five for too many games.

“It is very difficult when you are not getting gelled partnerships. In previous seasons where we did well, we had a settled back four, back five or whatever we play.”

The Hastings-born star added: "As a front four and as an attacking team, it [Cherries frontline options] is one of the best in the league.

"We scored a lot of goals considering we finished 14th and now it is all about improving, conceding fewer goals and, hopefully, finishing better than 14th."