Former Bournemouth midfielder Jamie Redknapp has said that his old club can avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
The Cherries have endured a tough start to their maiden campaign in the top flight and are currently 17th in the table after the opening 11 games.
They suffered another blow as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Southampton this afternoon, but Redknapp, who began his career at the club, believes that they have enough quality in the squad to stay up.
"I don't want to make excuses but they've been decimated by injuries," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "When Callum Wilson gets injured, then Max Gradel would probably be the person you're bringing in and he's done his cruciate ligament.
"It's extremely difficult, but what I like about Eddie Howe is he never makes excuses and just gets on with it.
"Now I look at the league table and I think to myself there's no reason Bournemouth can't stay up. They've got good quality in their team and they've got a way of playing."
Bournemouth will return to league action next weekend with a meeting against Newcastle United, who are a single point below them in the table.
Alex Meyers
