Wilson has no plans to coast at Bournemouth

Marc Wilson insists he has not taken a backwards step by moving from Stoke City to Bournemouth after declaring that the Cherries must aim to build upon their 16th-place finish on their Premier League debut last year.

Wilson may not be one of the Premier League’s household names, but the utility man – who can play across midfield and defence – is sure to enhance one of the top-flight’s smallest squads.

Eddie Howe parted with £2million to bring the 28-year-old back to the south coast, having left a free-falling Portsmouth for the Potteries in 2010.

(Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

And one of Wilson’s first tasks will be to plug an error-prone defensive line that conceded three goals against Manchester United on Sunday.

Wilson said: “I didn’t come to AFC Bournemouth to play in a team that’s going to get relegated. I see a lot of positives in this team.

“The aim must be to finish better than we did last season – that would be a very good stepping stone.

“Personally I just want to get my head down, train hard with the boys and hopefully, if I get the chance to play, do the best I can for the club.”

Wilson accumulated 146 Premier League appearances with Stoke before the Republic of Ireland international decided to cut ties after six years at the club.

He added: “I know a lot of the guys down here and as soon I heard the interest from the club it was very appealing to me.

“Of course it was a big decision to make with having to move my wife and kid back down here, but I am thrilled now that I’ve made it.

“I enjoyed my years at Stoke but I spoke with the manager Mark Hughes and we both agreed it was time to move on – I am excited now to start a new chapter in my career.”