MANAGER Eddie Howe graded Cherries’ opening 10 Premier League games as “six out of 10” overall but insisted: “Let’s build on it.”

The Dorset club have totalled 13 points in the division this season – by the same stage last year, they had recorded 20 following a resounding 3-0 success at Fulham.

Howe’s men had scored six more goals and conceded one fewer after 10 fixtures 12 months ago.

But with some key changes of personnel – the boss believes his side will find more rhythm as the campaign progresses.

Asked for an assessment of the season to this point, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think it’s gone okay. I would probably give us six out of 10. I think there is more to come. There have been a lot of positive signs. I think the team is slightly in transition, if you look at the number of new players that have come into the team.

“Always for us, historically, that has given us some issues in terms of our rhythm and fluidity because you are making that number of changes to the team. Some have been enforced, some are by choice.

“But I’d love to say I think we will improve, I think we will get better. I think we will find more rhythm as the season goes on.

“It’s going to be tested in the results – we are going to have to prove that but, as we sit here now, it’s been a good start. Let’s build on it.”