'A baptism of fire' for Rose - Fletcher

"A baptism of fire" for new manager Marco Rose is what Steve Fletcher thinks of Bournemouth's opening fixtures.

>The Cherries are set to travel to Manchester City on the first day of the new campaign, then host Everton, followed by a visit to Newcastle, before hosting Brentford and Liverpool.

>Former Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher thinks the first game might be the "best time" to play City, following the World Cup.

>Speaking to BBC Radio Solent Fletcher said: "For Marco Rose our new manager, that's a bit of a baptism of fire but we're going to have to go to these boys eventually anyway.

>"We've got Liverpool away on the last game of the season as well so you've got to play them.

>"It might be the best time to play Man City, they've had a lot of players out in the World Cup. I'm trying to think of reasons here that we could turn them over. We've done it once in our history and we're a good team.

>"Man City are full of superstars, I understand that, but if we can catch them cold on the first game of the season, it's going to be on TV, it's on a Sunday, a new manager.

>"We've got to play them eventually, so let's get the season underway."

>Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above