Simon Francis is relishing a reunion with Neil Warnock on the opening day of the 2018/19 Premier League season.
AFC Bournemouth’s captain played under Warnock more than a decade ago, when he was forging a fledgling career at Sheffield United.
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On Saturday, 11th August, Warnock will bring his newly-promoted Cardiff City side to Vitality Stadium and Francis knows it will be a tough test for the Cherries.
"Cardiff will be an unknown quantity but anyone who has watched the Championship knows what they are capable of and what they are all about," he explained, on Sky Sports News.
"I played under Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, so I know what kind of manager he is.
"He gets his teams going and did fantastically with them last season on a smaller budget than a lot of the Championship teams.
"Cardiff will have a real fearlessness about them. They have nothing to prove going into the Premier League.
"We can’t underestimate them, that’s for sure."
Last season, AFC Bournemouth lost their opening four top flight games before finally recording a victory at the fifth time of asking, midway through September.
And although they went on to finish an impressive 12th place in the Premier League, Francis wants to get some early points on the board this time around.
"We didn’t get off to a great start last season, so we will be looking to put that right and improve on it," continued the defender.
"Getting off to a good start is crucial. You don’t want to be playing catch-up in the first month, so Cardiff a massive game for us. And with it being in front of the home fans it’s a good start for us.
"When the first game comes around, everyone is excited and raring to go.
"Now we are into our fourth season and it will be a great occasion, playing at home."
