Former goalkeeper David James believes manager Eddie Howe can guide Bournemouth to a top-half finish in their debut season in the Premier League.
The former England international played 19 games for Bournemouth under Howe in 2012/13 and is confident that the Dorset club can surprise many in their first campaign in the top flight.
James, now a pundit for BT Sport, said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Bournemouth finished in the top half, because Eddie Howe is such a good manager.
"I was there and saw him operating and I was like, 'wow, he is as good as I thought he was'. Everything was organised, his manner around the players was great and he had a vision. He was pedantic.
"He is special, but not the Special One - I don't want to give him that title. He is very very different, in a good way. He is class."