Bournemouth are currently in the midst of their best ever start to a Premier League season.

They’ve won five out of their first eight games and show no signs of slowing down ahead of Saints’ trip to the Vitality Stadium.

Dan Rose from the Bournemouth Echo gives the lowdown on Cherries’ campaign so far.

How would you summarise Bournemouth’s impressive start to the Premier League?

I’d describe it as clinical. Eddie Howe’s men have shown their capability in front of goal in the top flight this season and look a real force to be reckoned with going forward.

There has been the odd hiccup along the way but, for the most part, Cherries seem to be getting their reward for what was an intense pre-season.

The end product to their work has been epitomised with 16 league goals already this campaign. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have scored more. 

How have the new signings settled in?

Very well, David Brooks in particular has been a revelation out wide. With Ryan Fraser on the opposite wing, the pair of them have been a real handful.

Jefferson Lerma produced a man-of-the-match display during the 4-0 win at Watford last time out, providing protection for the back four and using the ball well.

Diego Rico has also shown glimpses of being ready to challenge for the spot at left-back. He will face competition from the returning Charlie Daniels – Adam Smith has also switched flanks to fill in there.

Both Lerma and Rico are trying to learn English to help them settle. After realising they were coming in, skipper Simon Francis even downloaded a translator app on his phone to help the process! 

Eddie Howe broke the transfer record in the summer, does that bring added pressure?

I don’t think so. You almost have to spend to be competitive in the Premier League now with so much money in the game.

Looking at net spend, Cherries were still out of the top 10 clubs for shelling out on players in the summer.

They still have a trusted core of squad members who have risen through the leagues and know the pressure that comes with performing at the top level.

Could you have envisaged Bournemouth heading into a game with Southampton as firm favourites?

When Saints were last promoted to the Premier League probably not but, as we all know, a lot has changed for Cherries in that space of time!

Howe’s side are certainly the form team out of the pair and have earned the tag of being favourites.

But they have only beaten Saints once since stepping up to the top flight and have lost on three occasions. It will not be an easy fixture for them.

What sort of game are you expecting on Saturday?

I think there will be goals. Both sides have only kept two clean sheets in their opening eight league games so it should be a good spectacle.