Friday 19 October 2018 10:45, UK
Mark Hughes says Bournemouth can no longer be regarded as Premier League minnows ahead of Southampton’s game with Eddie Howe's side on Saturday.
Bournemouth have made an impressive start to the season and lie sixth in the table going into the weekend fixtures after winning five of their first eight matches.
Hughes highlighted the increased financial muscle the club now has in the transfer market, which this summer saw them sign midfielder Jefferson Lerma from Spanish side Levante for a club-record fee of £25m.
"He's been there a long time, he's got longevity. That helps if you're trying to build a club," Hughes said of his opposite number, who guided Bournemouth to promotion as Championship winners in 2014/15.
"He's benefited from significant investment as well. It's not 'little old Bournemouth'. They have spent a lot of money. And clearly you've got to spend that well.
"They're playing well. They've got a lot of confidence. They've added good quality once again."
In contrast to Bournemouth, Southampton have struggled for form this season, winning just one of their eight games so far and losing their last three in a row without scoring a goal.
Hughes is confident they can turn the corner, however, as long as they begin to make the most of the chances they create in matches.
"Big test [against Bournemouth], but one we're more than capable of matching, as long as we reach our levels," added Hughes.
"We don't think we're a million miles away. We've been frustrated, because in games where we've done really well we haven't capitalised and got the points we felt we deserved.
"We need to accept that, understand that's sport sometimes, but you've still got to go out and get points on the board. That's our intention. We've just come through a period of eight games where we expected a better return.
"We're not a million miles away. There's enough quality in this group to start getting points on the board. We all feel that."
