RIVAL boss Steve McMahon believes Cherries will be a bigger threat back in Division Two than they were in the third.

McMahon, who will send his Blackpool side out against Sean O'Driscoll's men at Bloomfield Road tomorrow (3pm), thinks that Cherries' reputation as a footballing outfit will pay dividends in the higher league.

The former Liverpool and England ace admits Cherries are in a similar boat to his Seasiders this time two years ago when Blackpool booked their place back in the second division via the playoffs.

But even though their visitors are still adapting to life back in the second, McMahon knows O'Driscoll will have his charges primed for victory as Cherries seek a third successive league clean sheet.

McMahon, who recently failed in a cheeky bid to bring former Blackpool star Brett Ormerod back to the club on loan from Saints, said: "Everyone will be saying that on paper against Bournemouth it will be an easy three points, but that is not how it works.

"Bournemouth have made a very good start and we certainly will not be under-estimating them.

"They play the game the right way and Sean O'Driscoll has done ever such a good job. They are in a similar position to us a couple of seasons ago in that they are finding their feet in this division.

"But I actually feel they are a better team in the second division than they were in the third.

"It is a bit rough and ready at times in the third division but the football they play will help them in this league."

Blackpool comfortably maintained their second division status following their Millennium Stadium triumph, ending the 2001/02 season 16th before finishing 13th last term.