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Tavernier aiming to take pressure off and play with more freedom this season

The Englishman has started the first three league games of the season for AFC Bournemouth, operating both in midfield and further forward as the number ten.

Tavernier gave the entire squad credit for their good start in the league, and thanked boss Andoni Iraola for his faith in him and his game.

Asked about where he felt he is with his game at the start of the season, Tavernier said: “I honestly don't know.

“I have always had goals for myself each season and I think this is the first one I have taken them away and not put that pressure on myself and to play with a bit more freedom, and I'm hoping to carry on doing that and let the performances take care of themselves.”

_(Image: Richard Crease)_

On the confidence and spirit Iraola gives to him and the group, he said: “I have to give thanks to the manager for putting his faith in me and letting me play the game I want to play and wherever he needs me to play, I'm willing to do so to help the team in that sense.

“Credit goes to all of us. We don't win games by one of us being really good or even two. It's all collectively, as a group, and that was really key for us winning.”

And Tavernier is confident of the Cherries’ chances to beat anyone they go up against this season and continue to progress.

“The gaffer has, as everyone knows, the style of play we play,” he said.

“It's nice and aggressive against any team. It gives us the ultimate opportunity to put on a performance like today in which we put the game plan down to a tee and get the three points.”

After lots of changes in the squad this summer, the Cherries have started quickly with two wins and one defeat in the Premier League.

_(Image: Richard Crease)_ Asked about how important getting a fast start is after such a big turnover of players, Tavernier said: “When we played against Liverpool, we came off the pitch a bit disappointed that we didn't come away with anything which is a good sign as a group when you are playing against the team that won the league last season.

“We put that to bed and worked on ourselves a bit more and got our first win against Wolves last week.

“Unfortunately, we then suffered a defeat (in the League Cup) which everyone knew we weren't at our level in that last game.

“But we knew we had a short turn around to put that right and I think you could see we definitely did that.”

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