Bournemouth may have fallen short at the semi-final stage of the Championship play-offs last season, but they're well-placed right now after 17 matches to do better than that in 2021-22.

The Cherries went through a bit of a turbulent time in the previous campaign despite it starting off very well, with Jason Tindall paying the price in February for a poor run of form by losing his job as head coach.

He was replaced by Jonathan Woodgate on a temporary basis and that was extended until the end of the season and the former England international oversaw a run of seven straight victories.

But a two-legged defeat to Brentford following the conclusion of the 46-match campaign saw him not considered to be Tindall's permanent replacement.

In the end it was Scott Parker who arrived from Fulham and the Cherries have been almost irresistible since his arrival.

They have lost just once in the league under his management, winning 12 and drawing four and despite not having the superior goal difference to Fulham they currently sit two points ahead of the Cottagers and eight ahead of West Brom in third position.

One of the key players has been Dominic Solanke, who is finding the Championship to be a very productive playground and the ex-Liverpool striker has outlined what they key change has been from last season for the club.

“We had quite a good team, but we just didn’t quite have the winning mentality that we do this year," Solanke told Goal.

"We go into games expecting to win and everyone’s fighting for each other, which we lacked a bit last year.

"We’re definitely going in the right direction. We’re in a good place.

"We went unbeaten for 15 games, which was really good. The game we lost was a bit annoying because we always back ourselves at home, but the most important thing was getting back on track straightaway and that’s what we did.”

The Verdict

That loss that was mentioned against Preston North End will certainly have been a major frustration, but a 4-0 success over Swansea nearly two weeks ago made sure it was forgotten about.

Parker has come in and installed his own philosophy that seems to be working and the players have bought into it.

Let's make no bones about it - Bournemouth on the whole have a Premier League-quality squad and many of the side that were relegated from the top flight in 2020 are still at the Vitality Stadium so it isn't a shock to see them doing well.

It's important to judge them over a 46-game season though and not just after 17 games but there's certainly noticeable differences on the pitch and supporters are hoping that long may it continue.