Lee Bradbury believes Wes Thomas has become one of the top strikers in npower League 1 during his time at the Seward Stadium.
Thomas scored the equaliser for the Cherries in the win over Tranmere last weekend with his tenth goal of the season, making him the fifth highest scorer in the league.
The 24-year-old has been in impressive form since moving to the south coast on loan from League Two side Crawley, before making his move permanent on New Year's Day.
Bradbury also revealed that he had made a bet with Thomas, with the 36-year-old buying the striker a present if he scores 20 goals or more before the end of the season.
Bradbury said, "He's been a very good signing, and I think we've turned him into one of the best in the league. His confidence is growing all the time, and he is playing in a team that plays good football and it suits him. I think it's good for him to see his name up there, and it gives him a target to try and climb that table.
"Obviously, Jordan Rhodes is way ahead of everyone in the league, but there's no reason why Wes can't keep getting closer to the top of the list. There's some proven goal scorers in the league, and it won't do him any harm to see his name alongside theirs.
"He joined us a month into the season and the others have had a head start on him. I think Wes has come into the team and probably surprised himself, maybe even exceeded his own expectations, with how well he's done, but he hasn't surprised me.
"When we looked at him when he was at Crawley I saw a striker who had a lot of pace and power, and he's a good finisher as well, but he just needed a little bit of confidence. I thought in the right team he could be a real handful, and he's proved that.
"I think ten goals from him at this stage is good, but he will be looking to get 20 before the end of the season. I have had a little bet with Wes that if he gets to 20 I will buy him something. We haven't talked about what it would be, but I hope he gets there. I don't want to put any pressure on him, but he thinks he can do it."
Thomas played a starring role for the Cherries in the win over high flying Huddersfield in December, but was unavailable for selection for three weeks following the victory in Yorkshire after his loan spell expired.
The former Crawley made a scoring return to action in the home win against Wycombe, and has scored in the last two fixtures with Notts County and Tranmere.
"I think he's changed over the course of the season on and off the pitch. He believes he's going to score in every game now, and that's invaluable for a striker," Bradbury added.
"He's come back in after his break and looked fresh, like you would expect him to, and he's taken off again straight away. He scored in his first game back, and really he's picked up where he left which takes some doing.
"Over the time he was out we didn't do anything too much different to normal with him, we just wanted to look after him physically and make sure he was ready when he came back, and credit to him he has done that.
"We believe in him and gave him a long contract, and that gives him clarity. He's bought into what we are doing straight away, moved into the area and he's loving life down here."
