SAINTS keeper Fraser Forster is part of the tightest defence in English football.

But, remarkably, the man whose place he took at St Mary’s currently boasts a better personal record than the England international!

Following the weekend win over Leicester, Forster has conceded only five goals in 11 Premier League games at an average of a goal every 198 minutes.

But Artur Boruc, on loan to Championship high-fliers AFC Bournemouth, can better that.

After keeping his fifth clean sheet in his last six league games in a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough, the Polish international has only conceded four goals in his nine league outings for the Cherries.

That works out at an average of a goal every 202.5 minutes.

Boruc, who broke Saints’ Premier League clean sheets record with 14 last term, is on loan at Dean Court until January.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe insists second-placed Bournemouth will not rest on their laurels after continuing their fine start to the campaign with a goalless draw at Middlesbrough.

Howe’s men headed to the Riverside top of the table, a remarkable feat for a club which almost slipped out of the Football League just five and a half years ago amid crippling financial issues.

Howe declared himself satisfied with the result, which leaves his side just a point adrift of Derby - who reclaimed top spot with a 5-0 drubbing of Wolves.

He said: “It was really nip-and-tuck. I thought it was a high-quality game.

“We had the best chances in the game and our goalkeeper (Boruc) had little to do, which is a good sign.”

Burnley last year proved that unlikely promotions are possible when they overcame pre-season relegation tips to reach the Premier League.

And Howe, who left Cherries in January 2011 to manage Burnley before returning in October 2012, admits Bournemouth can take inspiration from his former club.

“These are exciting times. We did not really expect to be in this position and we are enjoying it.

“Every club in the Championship is looking at Burnley to see what can be achieved with a small squad and limited resources.

“They had two excellent goalscorers (former Cherries pair Sam Vokes and Danny Ings) and we are a very different proposition, but there are principles there that we can take.”