Friday 24 February 2017 10:35, UK
Eddie Howe is hoping their training trip to Real Madrid will give Bournemouth an edge in Saturday's trip to in-form West Brom.
With the Cherries out of the FA Cup, they had a rare weekend off and Howe was able to take his squad to the Spanish capital where they used Real's training facilities.
Howe's target is 40 Premier League points - Bournemouth go to the Hawthorns 14 points short with 13 games left - but they are in a rut, winless since New Year's Eve.
"We've had a really good trip to Real Madrid, the facilities were first class and it was an intense few days," said Howe.
"We're working on all aspects of our play. Of course that includes the defence, and we want to come back a better team.
"You can't hide from the current form and it's up to us to bounce back and show what we can do. West Brom have ground out some great results and they've added real quality. Tony Pulis' teams are always hard to beat.
"Our league position was healthier a few weeks ago but I've always said we're in a race to get above the 40-point mark."
One of their main relegation rivals, Leicester, sacked their manager on Thursday night and Howe admitted he was "shocked and disappointed" by their owners' decision.
"I've got a lot of time for him, a real gentleman and a positive person," he added.
"To see him lose his job in the manner that he has is very sad, considering everything that he did last season, the historic achievements that him and his team were able to do, to find himself in this position now is very sad.
"It doesn't taint Claudio's story and he will always be remembered for that historic achievement and rightfully so."
