Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes next season will be even harder for his side.

The Cherries followed up 16th and ninth-place finishes in their first two top-flight seasons with a 12th-place in 2017/18, but only wrapped up their safety with a game to spare.

And Howe reckons next season will provide an even tougher challenge.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "I don't think it's weighed on me. It's more for the players to deal with on game day.

"That's not to say I blame anybody connected with the club on that. It's down to us to produce performances which don't create that atmosphere.

"But it is a difficult one. Given how difficult the games are at this level, there are always two teams in a match and you never have things your own way.

"It's those difficult moments which probably define you and we managed to get through them just about okay. But next season I think it will be harder."